Tesla has begun selling Model 3 Standard Range Plus models in South Korea that uses battery made by CATL in August, TheElec has learned.
At the time it was only for some models but all models of Model 3 Standard Range Plus models ordered at the current time in South Korea will use the Chinese company’s batteries, sources said.
The models are made at Tesla's factory in Fremont, the US, and use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.
They are likely being imported from the US due to the free trade agreement with South Korea instead of from Tesla’s Shanghai factory.
South Korean auto brand Kia was the first to sell vehicles in South Korea that uses CATL batteries; the Niro EV sold in the country uses CATL’s nickel-based batteries.
Tesla is using LFP batteries for its Model 3 vehicles made in the US due to nickel and cobalt costs rising.
The company has already increased the prices of its major vehicle models multiple times this year.
