Tesla has recently revised its entry-level, rear-drive SUV Model Y for 2022 in China, as part of an updating process. Through this modification, the performance capability of the car was slashed down by a 1½ second addition to the standard 0-100 km/h time. But this is reportedly compensated by an added driving range of extra 20 km.

The Acceleration

The 2022 Tesla Model Y, now in its entry-level, claims an acceleration time of 0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds, which is down 1½ seconds from the previous outgoing model’s claim of 5.4 seconds. The same Model 3 has underwent performance reduction last year also, but the acceleration time only increased from 5.6-6.1 seconds.

The Driving Range

Last year, the model was also accessorized with a larger battery of 62 kWh, delivering a range modification from 448 km to 491 km. As Tesla claims, the new Model Y delivers a driving range of 545 km, which is up from the previously claimed 525 km, NEDC figure. The increase in driving range for the more pricey variants is up to 615 km and 660 km. For now, this updated Tesla Model Y is likely to be manufactured for local showrooms in China.

The Modified Features

The entry-level, rear-drive Tesla Model Y is accessorized with a more powerful AMD Ryzen infotainment processor, a new battery of 12-volt made by lithium-ion, and of course, double-glazed rear windows. The price of the model is increased by 21,088 Chinese Yuan from January 1, 2022.

The Variants

Tesla has already certified three model variations for local sale. The first one is a rear-drive model with a battery of 62.28 kWh, 255 kW motor. The second one is a long-range one with a 378kW dual-motor, and an 82.8kWh battery. The third model is the flagship performance one with a 393kW motor, a more powerful AWD, and a larger battery.

Imagine having an electric car battery that provides more than 300 miles of range, requires no bulky heating and cooling systems, charges in approximately ten minutes, maintains 80 percent of its charge capacity for 800 cycles, which is about 240,000 miles, and it’s not prone to spontaneous combustion. It’s a promise of the new solid-state car battery, which is considered the holy grail that manufacturers and automakers are racing to find. Now, Toyota announced that it would have a running prototype with this type of battery ready by 2021.

Toyota’s New Solid-State Battery Implementation

The implications of this new technology should be considered. Charge times and range are the biggest barriers to EV adoption. While a ten-minute charge is still quite longer than it takes to fill a gas tank with fuel, it’s a lot better than having to make lunch plans while the vehicle recharges. It’s a fast-charging compact battery that could be the EV equivalent of the electric starter because it will allow battery-powered electric vehicles to conquer internal-combustion power once and for all.

Toyota is not the only company in this race. It’s not the only company making headlines, either. Recently, a California company called QuantumScape announced great and promising test results for its solid-state battery. The announcement that Toyota made about its upcoming Euro-market electric SUV included the note that they planned on having solid-state battery technology in their production of vehicles by 2025.

A Solid-State Partnership!

Toyota, which has a great partnership with Panasonic, currently has more than a thousand patents that cover solid-state batteries. However, Nissan is working on its solid-state battery. It claims that it will appear in a “non-simulation” vehicle by 2028. Toyota currently does not offer any vehicle that runs on battery in the United States and hasn’t offered one since the 2012-2014 RAV4 EV. However, they are about to launch an update of the hydrogen fuel cell-powered Mirai.

The race to develop a solid-state battery for electric vehicles is on, and if Toyota plans to manufacture a running prototype in 2021, we will be looking at the prevailing automotive technology of the future at some point next year.