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Dissecting Tesla Model 3’s 2170 lithium ion battery cell, what’s inside?
A teardown video featuring Tesla Model 3’s 2170 lithium-ion battery cell was recently uploaded on YouTube, showing the components of the cylindrical cell and how it stacks up against the Model S and Model X’s 18650 battery cell.
Aries RC, a channel dedicated to battery improvements in the remote control aircraft market, indicated that they acquired a 2170 lithium-ion cell from Tesla’s Gigafactory in Nevada. The host noted that the first thing he did was to connect the battery to a resistor, in order to completely drain the cell. Next, he made a cut at the positive terminal of the battery unit to expose a plastic dielectric barrier on the cell. This barrier is utilized by Tesla as a means to prevent the jelly roll inside from physically touching the top of the battery, which would cause a short circuit. As noted by the YouTube channel’s host, the negative terminal of the 2170 lithium-ion cell also features a similar dielectric barrier.
The Model 3’s 2170 cell features a thin layer of insulation on its interior, which, according to the RC enthusiast, is an outer layer of material that protects the cell wall’s integrity during a thermal runaway. In instances when the lithium-ion cell does heat up, however, Tesla has implemented a safety system in the form of three small cooling holes at the top of the battery. These small holes are about 0.5 mm wide, and are designed to vent out gases when the cell reaches high temperatures.
The jelly roll of the 2170 battery is wrapped in a copper sheet, which acts as a ground for the battery. A grounding strip is also attached to the copper strip using tap welding, which, according to the YouTube channel’s host, is particularly impressive, since tap welding is notoriously difficult to accomplish on thin pieces of metal.
The jelly roll of the Model 3’s battery cell features a lithium-nickel-cobalt-aluminum oxide that’s responsible for storing energy in the battery. Fully unrolled, the strip fitted with the compound measured roughly 32 inches long, roughly a third longer than the strip in Tesla’s 18650 battery, which is roughly 24 inches long.
RELATED: Watch this Tesla Model S battery teardown performed by veteran EV modders
As could be seen in a side-by-side comparison of the jelly rolls of the 2170 and 18650 cells, Tesla’s newest form factor 2170 cell features a roll that is significantly longer and thicker than the latter. Overall, the YouTube host suggested that Tesla seems to be accurate in its estimates that the 2170 cell carries roughly 30 percent more charge than the 18650 lithium-ion cell in the Model S and X.
Tesla uses thousands of 2170 cells to enable its mass market Long Range Model 3 to travel up to 310 miles on a single charge. Produced in partnership with Panasonic at the Nevada Gigafactory, Tesla’s 2170 lithium-ion battery modules proved to be one of the sources of the Model 3’s production bottlenecks last year. As revealed by recent building permits, however, Tesla is currently conducting large-scale improvements to the Gigafactory, aimed at automating its battery module production line.
Apart from the Model 3, Tesla also uses its 2170 lithium-ion cell for its Powerpack and Powerwall battery solutions. As confirmed by Tesla CEO Elon Musk through Twitter, however, the 2170 cells will not be making their way to the Model S and X, at least as of writing.
Tesla has expanded its Robotaxi program to Miami, Florida, marking the third state the autonomous ride-hailing platform has made its way to since launching last Summer.
Tesla announced today that the Robotaxi suite would now officially launch rides in a geofence in Miami:
🚨 Tesla’s “Long Weekend” continues with a HUGE announcement regarding Robotaxi!
It’s now in Miami!
Miami joins Austin, Dallas, Houston, and the Bay Area! https://t.co/ujjYjJT3Im pic.twitter.com/yPe1ZdSQIE
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) July 3, 2026
The first geofence in Miami covers approximately 10 to 14 square miles. The area appears to be focused on western and central Miami, including Miami International Airport (MIA). It also includes popular routes like SR 826 (Palmetto Expressway), US 41 (Tamiami Trail), and connectors such as SR 968, 953, 959, and 972.
This is Tesla’s initial Miami launch zone, smaller and more targeted than some competitors’ areas (for example, Waymo’s initial rollout was broader in eastern neighborhoods). It prioritizes high-traffic, airport-linked routes before wider expansion.
The expansion is a huge signal for Tesla that it is now operating in Florida, a heavy-traffic state with many tourist areas, including Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, and the Boynton area, all of which are coastal and will attract perhaps millions of tourists in any given year.
¿Qué lo que Miami?
Robotaxi now available in Miami pic.twitter.com/P1m283seZU
— Tesla Robotaxi (@robotaxi) July 3, 2026
The Tesla Robotaxi network launched last year on June 22, in Austin, Texas, beginning limited commercial operations in that city. It expanded shortly thereafter into the San Francisco Bay Area of California in late July 2025, marking entry into a second state with service covering key areas such as San Francisco, San Jose, and Berkeley.
Full commercial service was achieved in Austin by November 18, 2025, strengthening its presence within Texas before further growth.
In 2026, the network continued expanding across Texas with the addition of Dallas and Houston on April 18, significantly broadening its footprint in the state. This new launch into Miami marks Tesla entering a new state and bringing active locations to include Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio in Texas, and the Bay Area in California.
These sequential expansions have steadily increased the network’s reach across major metropolitan areas in Texas, California, and Florida, focusing on scaling operations city by city and state by state since the initial Austin debut.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has tempered expectations for the company’s humanoid robot Optimus, emphasizing that initial production will ramp up slowly despite recent progress on the manufacturing line. In a July 1 reply on X, Musk responded to optimistic community speculation by stating, “No, Optimus production will be extremely slow at first, as everything is new. This is not like making a car.”
No, Optimus production will be extremely slow at first, as everything is new. This is not like making a car.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 1, 2026
The comment came in response to a post theorizing that Tesla had accelerated Optimus V3 development and might soon unveil an impressive demonstration with multiple units already in meaningful production. Musk’s clarification highlights the fundamental differences between scaling a novel humanoid robot and Tesla’s established automotive operations, which benefit from over a century of refined supply chains, tooling, and processes.
Recent updates show tangible advancement. Musk shared a photo of himself walking the Optimus production line at Fremont, where Tesla is converting former Model S/X manufacturing space. According to Q1 2026 earnings commentary, limited production is slated to begin in late July or August 2026 on this converted line.
Tesla Optimus project fires up as Musk sees production line progress
Musk previously noted that Optimus features roughly 10,000 unique parts, making early output rates “literally impossible to predict” and describing them as “quite slow.” A larger dedicated factory at Giga Texas is under construction, targeting higher-volume production around summer 2027 with long-term annual capacity potentially reaching millions of units.
Some experts point out that pioneering humanoid robotics demands inventing new automation techniques, actuator supply chains, and quality-control standards in real time. Unlike vehicles, where components and assembly methods are mature, every element of Optimus—from dexterous hands to AI-integrated movement—requires fresh engineering solutions. Early units are expected to handle simple factory tasks before expanding to more complex roles.
This cautious approach aligns with Tesla’s history of under-promising and over-delivering on complex technologies. While enthusiasts hoped for rapid deployment, Musk’s message underscores a deliberate strategy: prioritize reliability and iterative improvement over rushed volume.
Analysts suggest the S-curve ramp typical of new manufacturing will eventually accelerate once foundational issues are resolved, positioning Optimus as a potential trillion-dollar product line.
Musk has long envisioned Optimus transforming labor markets, assisting in homes, factories, and hazardous environments. By setting realistic timelines, Tesla aims to build sustainable momentum rather than risk disappointment. As the Fremont line comes online this summer, investors and fans will watch closely for the first production metrics and capability demonstrations.
Tesla has officially launched the Model Y L in the United States and Puerto Rico for $61,990. It is the longer-wheelbase version of the Model Y, and has been available in China since last year.
Tesla brings the Model Y L to the U.S. just months after it phased out the only pure SUV in its lineup, the Model X. It is slightly longer than the Model Y configurations that are already available in the U.S., and features a three-row, six-seat setup with Captain’s Chairs being among the many features that make this a truly fantastic offering.
The Model Y L is priced competitively at $61,990, and features 325 miles of range and a 0-60 MPH in just 4.4 seconds.
Tesla also added a handful of new features that are not available in even the Premium Model Y. Here’s a full list of its features:
- Heated/Ventilated Front Seats with Powered Thigh Cushion
- Heated/Ventilated Captain’s Seats in Second Row with Powered Armrests & One-Touch Fold
- Heated Third-Row Seats with Power Recline, One-Touch Fold & Child Seat Anchors
- Improved Airflow, Increased Efficiency, More Range
- 89 cubic feet of trunk space
- Upgraded Acoustic Glass and Suspension to Minimize Road Noise
- Adaptive Damping for a Smooth, Stable Ride
- Staggered Tires for Enhanced Grip
- Larger Tailgate for Better Rear Visibility and Bigger Windows Overall
- 16″ First Row and 8″ Second Row Touchscreens
- 19-Speaker Immersive Tesla Audio
- 50W Wireless Charging Pads with Active Cooling and Charging Ports for All Other Seats
- FSD Supervised and Integrated Grok AI
Tesla is also delivering these first units as a “Launch Series,” which comes with additional features, such as:
- Door Trim Puddle Lights
- Suede Dashboard Wing
- Exterior and Interior Badging
- Floor Mats
- Sill Plates
The launch of the Model Y L in the U.S. marks a huge offering from Tesla to U.S. consumers. People have been calling for Tesla to bring a larger car to the U.S., and it needed it more than ever now that the Model X is gone.
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- Credit: Tesla
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- Credit: Tesla
It is a huge accomplishment for Tesla to get the Model Y L to the U.S., and after reporting strong deliveries today, it will be interesting to see how this car impacts future quarterly delivery reports.
Deliveries for the Model Y L “Launch Series” are slated for September or October of this year.
Tesla expands Robotaxi to Florida, marking its third state for autonomy
