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Tesla Battery Atlas

Panasonic 18650 · Model S/X · Generation 2

Model S/X 90

The 85 kWh architecture, refreshed with higher-capacity cells, launched alongside Ludicrous mode.

NCA18650 cylindrical2015 – end undocumentedDocumented
Gross capacity
90 kWh
Usable capacity
Unknown
Cells
7,104
Pack mass
Unknown
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Pack · top view

16 modules

Cell supplier
Panasonic Energy
Cell
Panasonic 18650 (Model S/X)
Vehicles
Model S
Built at
Fremont

About this pack

Tesla introduced the 90 kWh pack in 2015, at the same time as Ludicrous mode and the 70 kWh version.

Community teardown discussions describe the same 74-cell-parallel module layout as the 85 kWh pack, for 7,104 cells in sixteen modules. The extra capacity came from the cells themselves.

Specifications

Pack data, value by value

  • Manufacturer-confirmed
  • Documented
  • Community-reported
  • Estimated

Every value shows its evidence level and sources. “Unknown” means no source we trust has published it. We never fill gaps with assumptions.

Gross capacityTotal energy incl. bottom buffer
90 kWhConfirmed[1]

Badge capacity.

Usable capacityEnergy available 100% → 0%
Unknown
Chemistry
NCACommunity[4]
Cell format
18650Documented[5]
Cell supplier
Panasonic EnergyDocumented[5]
Cell count
7,104Community[2]
ConfigurationSeries × parallel
96s74pCommunity[2]
Modules
16Community[2]
Nominal voltage
Unknown
Architecture
Unknown
Pack mass
Unknown
Energy densityPack level
Unknown

Requires both pack mass and capacity.

Structural pack
NoEstimated
Peak DC charging
Unknown

The cell

Panasonic 18650 (Model S/X)

Panasonic began delivering its 3.1 Ah 18650 cell to Tesla in 2010 and agreed in 2011 to supply cells for more than 80,000 vehicles. Revised versions of the cell went into the 85, 90 and 100 kWh packs.

18650Ø18 mm65 mm21704680DRAWN TO SCALE · DASHED: OTHER CYLINDRICAL FORMATS

Cell data

Dimensions
Ø18 × 65 mmConfirmed[]
Capacity
3.1 AhConfirmed[]

Panasonic's 3.1 Ah cell announced for the Model S in 2010. Later pack generations used revised cells whose ratings were not published.

Nominal voltage
Unknown
Energy per cell
Unknown
Chemistry
NCACommunity[4]

Community sources identify customized Panasonic NCR18650-series cells.

Capacity in context

Gross capacity of every documented pack. Hatched bars are disputed ranges; packs with unknown capacity are omitted.

  1. Cybertruck 4680123
  2. Model S/X 100103
  3. Model S/X 2021+100
  4. Model S/X 9090
  5. LG 5N88.2
  6. Model S 8585
  7. LG 5M84.7
  8. Panasonic 3L82.1
  9. Roadster 3.0 (R80)80
  10. Tesla 8L79
  11. LG 5L78.8
  12. Panasonic 377.8
  13. Model S/X 7575
  14. LG 5C74.5
  15. Tesla 4680 Structural (Model Y)69
  16. CATL 6M62.5
  17. CATL 6L60
  18. BYD 7C55–60 (disputed)
  19. CATL 6C55
  20. Panasonic 1L55
  21. Panasonic 1C53.1
  22. Roadster ESS53

Applications

Where this pack is installed

Each row is a documented link between this pack and a vehicle variant, with its factory, period and evidence. A variant may also appear with other packs.

Model SOpen in finder
VariantPeriodFactoryMarketCodeEvidence
90D / P90DModel S (2012–2021)2015 – end undocumentedFremontNot market-specific—
Community[1][3]

End of availability not verified.

Supply chain

  • Panasonic Energy · Japanplant undisclosedTesla Fremont FactorycellsDocumented[6][5]

    Panasonic agreed in 2011 to supply Model S cells. In 2019, Japanese plants were still supplying 18650 cells for the S and X.

View on the global map

Performance

Charging, advantages and tradeoffs

Peak DC charging

Unknown

No verified charging curve for this pack is in the database yet. Curves vary with temperature, state of charge and software, so we only publish curves backed by repeatable measurements.

Advantages

  • More range from the same pack architecture, carried over to the Model X at launch. [1]

Tradeoffs

None documented with a source yet.

Identification

How to tell if your car has it

  • The rear badge (90D, P90D) usually indicates the pack. Tesla service can confirm the installed pack.
  • The part number on the high-voltage battery label and Tesla service records are definitive. A VIN alone does not encode the cell supplier or pack code.

History

Lineage in the Panasonic 18650 · Model S/X family

Model S and Model X packs built from Panasonic 18650 cells, from the 85 kWh launch pack of 2012 to the five-module pack of the 2021 refresh.

  1. Model S 852012–2016 · 85 kWh
  2. Model S/X 752016–? · 75 kWh
  3. Model S/X 902015–? · 90 kWh
  4. Model S/X 1002016–2021 · 103 kWh
  5. Model S/X 2021+2021–now · 100 kWh
  1. Documented[1]

    90 kWh pack and Ludicrous mode

    Tesla introduces a 90 kWh pack with improved cells in the same architecture, alongside Ludicrous mode.

Related packs

Model S/X 75vsModel S 85vsModel S/X 100vs

Sources

6 references

  1. [1]
    Tesla phases out 85 kWh Model S battery

    AutoblogpressPublished 9 Feb 2016Consulted 28 Oct 2026Pending direct review

  2. [2]
    Model S/X battery discussion (75 and 90 kWh module layout)

    Tesla Motors ClubcommunityConsulted 28 Oct 2026Pending direct review

  3. [3]
    Understanding the different Tesla Model S versions

    ClutchpressConsulted 28 Oct 2026Pending direct review

  4. [4]
    Battery facts (Model S 85 kWh pack layout)

    Tesla Motors ClubcommunityConsulted 28 Oct 2026Pending direct review

  5. [5]
    Panasonic considers producing 2170 cells in Japan

    electrive.compressPublished 25 Apr 2019Consulted 28 Oct 2026Pending direct review

  6. [6]
    Panasonic and Tesla reach agreement to supply automotive-grade battery cells

    Panasonic NewsroomofficialPublished 11 Oct 2011Consulted 28 Oct 2026Pending direct review