Tesla prepares Model Y “Mid Range” with new 8L battery pack

Tesla is preparing a new Model Y Standard “Mid Range” variant, tagged internally as “YB8LR,” that sits between the Standard Range and Long Range versions in both range and battery size. Early technical details point to a new 8L battery pack of about 74 kWh, a lighter non‑structural design, and strong efficiency that targets drivers who want more range without a dual‑motor setup.

What the YB8LR variant is

The “YB8LR” name appeared in early January in material shared by a well‑known independent Tesla battery analyst on X, who tracks pack codes and range data. That post lists a Tesla Model Y Standard “Mid Range” with an 8L battery pack of roughly 74 kWh usable capacity and places it as a Standard variant.

Tesla Model Y Standard YB8LR — Credit: @eivissacopter | X

The same source cites up to 657 km of WLTP range and an efficiency of 127 Wh/km, which puts this Model Y near the top of the lineup for energy use per kilometer. Those figures clearly move it above today’s LFP‑based Standard Range cars, which sit around 534 km WLTP, and into territory close to some Long Range versions on rated range, depending on wheels and market.

Battery size, weight and chemistry

The 8L pack is reported as non‑structural and about 31 kg lighter than Tesla’s 6M LFP pack, which recent technical summaries link to a capacity near 62.5 kWh and a weight of around 475 kg. That comparison points to an estimated 444 kg for the 8L pack.

If usable energy is near 74 kWh and total capacity about 83–84 kWh, the pack‑level energy density lands around 167 Wh/kg. Battery guides state that LFP packs usually sit near 125–140 Wh/kg, while nickel‑based NCM packs often run between 150 and 220 Wh/kg and NCA packs can go higher. This puts the 8L system firmly in nickel‑based territory and above LFP on density.

Tesla already relies on LFP cells from CATL and LG Energy Solution for many Standard Range cars, with nickel‑based Panasonic and LG cells used in Long Range and Performance trims. Recent reporting on a multibillion‑dollar deal between LG Energy Solution and Tesla for LFP production underlines how active this supply picture is, but the exact supplier and cell format for 8L are still unknown.

Structural versus non‑structural pack

The 8L unit is described as non‑structural, so it does not form part of the body shell like Tesla’s structural 4680 packs. Structural packs bond cells between steel sheets and use the pack as a stressed element in the chassis, which cuts parts but complicates repairs.

Here, a non‑structural design points to a more conventional skateboard enclosure that bolts into the body. Repair specialists and owners often say these packs are easier to remove and service, which can matter for long‑term maintenance and insurance costs.

Range, efficiency and positioning

The combination of 657 km WLTP and 127 Wh/km gives about 83.5 kWh drawn over the test cycle. Analysts who track Tesla’s buffers say that fits a pack with low‑80s kWh total capacity and roughly 74 kWh usable, in line with the company’s pattern of keeping about 10–15% in reserve to protect battery life.

Database entries and range charts for current Model Y trims place Standard RWD versions around 60-63 kWh usable with roughly 530-540 km WLTP, and higher‑end dual‑motor trims in the low‑80 kWh range with about 600 km WLTP depending on configuration. The YB8LR sits between those, so it creates a clearer “middle” option for buyers who want more range but still prefer rear‑wheel drive.

Fremont, Grünheide and Tesla’s battery roadmap

The new 8L pack is linked to Model Y units built at Fremont in California and at Giga Berlin in Grünheide. Giga Berlin is already preparing for cell production, with reports in late 2025 pointing to about 8 GWh per year from 2027, enough for more than 100,000 mid‑size vehicles. Until that ramp, the plant continues to rely on imported cells and local pack assembly.

A 2024 battery roadmap for Tesla pointed to four new battery designs by 2026, each aimed at a different segment from heavy trucks to robotaxis. In that context, the 8L pack looks like part of a mid‑capacity family that tries to balance cost, weight and range for high‑volume vehicles like the Model Y, while structural 4680 packs serve other roles.

However, Tesla has not formally announced the YB8LR or its pack, pricing is unknown. Still, the technical picture that has emerged points to a new mid‑range option that could give buyers more choice on range and price inside Tesla’s highest‑volume SUV line.

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