Finding
Tesla's high-volume cars still ride one 400 V architecture from 2017, while its newer vehicles serve as test beds for 48 V, 800 V and unboxed assembly
Model 3 and Model Y account for nearly all Tesla deliveries and share a 400 V pack, a 16 V lithium-ion low-voltage battery, mega-cast front and rear underbodies, and Tesla's own FSD computer (AI4 since 2023). Cybertruck moved the low-voltage system to 48 V with a ring Ethernet network Tesla calls Etherloop, added steer-by-wire, and split its 4680-cell pack into two halves that switch to 800 V for charging and drive. The Semi runs at about 1,000 V on three motors and charges at up to 1.2 MW on Tesla's Megachargers.
Tesla does not market platform names. The 2023 Investor Day described a next-generation platform built with the unboxed process: the car is assembled in six sub-assemblies in parallel, then joined once, which Tesla says cuts factory footprint by about 40%. The low-cost car that platform was meant to carry was shelved; the Cybercab, a two-seater with no steering wheel or pedals and inductive charging, is its first product. Production began at Giga Texas in 2026.
Model S and X production ended at Fremont in 2026; the line is being converted to Optimus humanoid production. Lower-cost Model 3 and Model Y Standard trims (October 2025) took the role of the affordable car. Compute is the thread through every architecture: AI4 in all current vehicles, and AI5, built by both TSMC and Samsung, planned next. See the Tesla autonomy case study and Terafab silicon strategy.
Lineup
Tesla architectures compared
Tesla does not publish platform names; the labels below are descriptive. Model lists are brief.
| Architecture | Voltage (HV, LV) | Battery and body | E/E and compute | Models, plants | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model S / X | ~400 V, 12 V (16 V Li-ion after refresh) | 18650 then 2170-class modules; aluminum body | Distributed ECUs; FSD computer from 2019 | Model S, Model X; Fremont | Ended 2026 |
| Model 3 / Y | ~400 V, 16 V Li-ion | 2170 and 4680 cells; mega-cast underbodies; structural pack on some Model Y | Zonal-style body controllers; AI4 | Model 3, Model Y, Model Y L; Fremont, Shanghai, Berlin, Austin | In production |
| Cybertruck | 800 V, 48 V | 4680 structural pack; stainless exoskeleton | 48 V Etherloop ring network; steer-by-wire; AI4 | Cybertruck; Austin | In production |
| Semi | ~1,000 V | Cylindrical-cell pack; Class 8 tractor | Three motors; 1.2 MW Megacharger charging | Semi; Nevada | High-volume line opened 2026 |
| Unboxed (Cybercab) | Not disclosed | Unboxed sub-assembly process; inductive charging | AI4 at launch; no steering wheel or pedals | Cybercab; Austin | Production began 2026 |
Building blocks
Shared Tesla building blocks
| Block | What Tesla does | Where it shows up |
|---|---|---|
| Cells | In-house 4680 cylindrical cells plus Panasonic, LG Energy Solution and CATL supply | Cybertruck, some Model Y; LFP in Standard trims |
| Castings | Giga Press single-piece front and rear underbodies | Model Y, Cybertruck, Cybercab |
| Drive units | In-house motors and silicon carbide inverters | All models |
| Thermal | Octovalve heat pump integrating cabin, pack and drive unit | Model Y and later |
| Compute | In-house FSD computer: HW3, AI4, AI5 next | All models; AI5 planned |
Sources
Sources and scope
- Scope
- Tesla EV Platforms
- Sources
- Tesla investor materials and Investor Day (2023); Cybertruck low-voltage architecture paper (2023); press reports (2026)
- Updated
- October 2026