Shanghai, July 18, 2025 – In a move set to electrify the fiercely competitive Chinese electric vehicle market, Tesla has quietly secured regulatory approval for an upgraded version of its popular Model 3 sedan, internally dubbed the "Model 3 Plus," featuring what is now officially the longest driving range of any mass-market EV available in China.
Industry insiders and regulatory filings confirm the certification, granted just days ago by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). The listing reveals a significant leap in performance for the new variant. While specifics on battery chemistry remain guarded, the MIIT certification lists a staggering CLTC-rated range of 713 kilometers (approximately 443 miles) for the Model 3 Plus. This eclipses the previous range king, the existing Model 3 Long Range variant (623 km CLTC), and puts significant distance between Tesla and rivals like BYD and NIO.
Breaking the Barrier:
The certification document, publicly available on the MIIT website, details the key specifications of the new model (Model Identifier: TSL7000BEVAR2). The 713 km figure represents a monumental achievement in energy density and efficiency for a vehicle in this segment. This leap forward is attributed to significant battery technology breakthroughs, likely leveraging Tesla's continuous improvements in cell chemistry and pack integration developed at its Shanghai Gigafactory and potentially incorporating tech from CATL's newest generation of batteries. While exact 0-100km/h times weren't the focus of this filing, the certification maintains the dual-motor all-wheel-drive configuration known for its performance.
Why This Matters in China:
China's EV market is the world's largest and most cutthroat. Range anxiety remains a primary concern for consumers, especially for those without easy access to home charging or for long-distance travel across vast regions. Securing the official "longest range" crown is a potent marketing tool. Tesla, facing intense pressure from highly competitive and increasingly sophisticated domestic brands like BYD (whose Seal sedan offers up to 700 km CLTC), XPeng, and NIO, needed a decisive counterpunch.
"The 700+ km range barrier was psychological," noted Li Wei, an auto analyst based in Shanghai. "Breaking it decisively, and doing so under the globally recognized Tesla brand, instantly resets the benchmark. It forces every other player back to the drawing board and gives Tesla renewed momentum, especially among premium sedan buyers for whom ultimate range is a key decision factor."
Market Reaction & Availability:
News of the certification, first spotted by eagle-eyed industry watchers and reported by financial outlet CLS.cn, sent ripples through the market. While Tesla China has yet to make an official announcement regarding the Model 3 Plus name, pricing, or launch date, the certification is the definitive green light for production and sale. Sources close to Tesla's Shanghai operations suggest production of the new variant could begin imminently, with customer deliveries potentially starting as early as late Q3 2025.
Analysts predict the Model 3 Plus will command a premium over the current Long Range model, but its exact positioning against competitors like the NIO ET5 and the upcoming Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Long Range will be crucial. Market watchers are already anticipating Tesla's next move. "This isn't just about the Model 3," commented CLS.cn analyst Zhang Min in their report. "This battery tech leap demonstrated in the Model 3 Plus inevitably points towards potential range boosts for the Model Y and future models, solidifying Tesla's technological edge."
Tesla's Strategic Play:
This stealthy certification reflects Tesla's evolving strategy in China: move fast, leverage local R&D and manufacturing prowess at Giga Shanghai, and deliver tangible, headline-grabbing improvements. By focusing on the critical metric of range, Tesla directly addresses a key consumer pain point and reasserts its leadership in EV core technology.
While BYD and others scramble to respond, Tesla has fired a powerful salvo. The Model 3 Plus, with its record-shattering 713 km range, is poised to become the new gold standard for long-distance electric driving in China, proving that in the world's most dynamic EV arena, the race for supremacy is far from over. All eyes now turn to Tesla for the official unveiling and pricing details.
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