2026 Model Y has a new 12.8v Low Voltage LFP battery.

TL;DR - Juniper comes with the new LFP battery but is compatible with the old 16v Li-Ion batteries. I don't think any other model can use the new LFP battery as it has extra posts that only fit the new MY LV battery connector [\(2:03 in video\)](https://youtu.be/QJsy1ay6tXs?t=123)

Kelly specifically notes it's the one-way compatibility.

Seems like it, and that's too bad. But I get it as the BMC hardware and software need to be able to handle the new LFP, and it looks like older cars don't have that.

True. I'm still puzzled why they went with trouble of making all low-voltage components 16V tolerant with 4S LiIon battery instead of just going with 4S LiFePo. I guess it's 2 steps forward, 1 step back sometimes.

Well that sucks for 16v owners. Hopefully we’re not forgotten to time when repairs come up in 5+ years. How many model years used the 16v?

Well according to the video the Li-Ion runs around 15.5v while the new LFP runs at 14.4v. I would assume everything that's "16v tolerant" hasn't changed as the output voltage hasn't changed much.

I'm referring to the story shared by someone from Tesla that before switching from lead LV batteries to Lithium they had to replace few "higher" voltage intolerant components including wiper motor.

My Fremont made 2024 MYLR delivered on March 2024 has 16v battery

Completely agree. I'm worried now that 5+ years into the future when these start failing they aren't going to have a good supply of these. I've hated the proprietary 16v battery ever since I found out about it. I actually bought a second 16v battery from Tesla, and I got the only one my local service center had. That is not a good sign for sourcing these in the future.

You can [buy them direct from Tesla](https://epc.tesla.com/en-US/catalogs/207e39de-1289-4baa-83e5-c77ba9d53194/categories/f99c681c-d7dd-4de8-9ef5-469e367c680f/subcategories/cfc157c4-86ce-4e25-aeed-a01ce969571b/systemGroups/b1bc8f89-fddc-4fc2-bc74-5bfcf600a21b?autoscroll=true) (for now). Edit - I thought you could buy them direct online, but I don't see a way to do that now. >*I've hated the proprietary 16v battery* Well the LFP is proprietary as well so... All in all, they're both better than the alternative which is old lead-acid batteries.

My 2019 Model 3 has a lead acid. I changed it as preventative maintenance after 4 years. Never had any problems with it. I don’t run sentry mode though.

I did buy directly from Tesla. I went into the local service center and got one. I don't see a way to buy one from the link you shared. I also don't love lead-acid batteries, but I'd greatly prefer a normal sized low voltage battery instead of this tiny little thing. It has very little capacity for aftermarket accessories like audio amplifiers and dies VERY quickly(under 2 minutes) if anything happens between the LV battery and factory DC to DC converter. I've seen it happen on mine.

I was kinda hoping for 48V

Does this mean the tow hitch connector provides 12V power again now?

I have the same battery, is it easy to do?

'2026' model Y? Dang, this guy's a time traveller!

Easier than an ICE car. Similarly installed but a little smaller and lighter than most normal cars.

Exactly what I am wondering too!

The MY Juniper is considered 2026 by Tesla for some reason (guess they didn’t want to call it a 2025 mid-year refresh).

Wow US model years are weird. Here the model year doesn't start until March so we only just started getting '2025' cars last month.

5+ years? They’re supposed to last as long as the whole HV system. So hopefully it’s much, much longer than that, unless you do a ton of driving.

Mobile Service will do it for cheap

It’s not always the same, but US got 2025 MY in November and 2026 juniper in March. Last year 2024s weren’t widespread until February.

I watched some other Tesla videos from him some months ago. Dude is so awesome!

Forgotten? They built millions of those, bud. You’ll be fine. Plus they’re supposed to last the life of the vehicle no?

I doubt it’ll last the life of the vehicle. But we will see. If they kept using the same batteries on every Tesla for the next 10 years I’d be able to pick one up from Walmart(or insert random ubiquitous place here) in 2030 if need be and third party options everywhere. You’re probably right that there’s enough out there where they’ll stock somewhere though.

Would lose parts commonality with Model 3, which would increase the cost. With the struggles suppliers have had getting switched over to 48v on the fairly low volume Cybertruck, I'd be afraid of shortages trying to get enough for all Model Ys.

This is the last sub I expected to see my school pop up in.

From what Lars has said you are correct. The supply chain hasn't caught up yet to switch over to 48v completely.

2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025

GROK: > Tesla transitioned to a 12.8V Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) low-voltage battery in the newer Model Y, moving away from the previously used 16V Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) battery and earlier lead-acid designs. While Tesla has not officially detailed the exact reasons for this change, several factors likely influenced the decision based on industry trends and Tesla's engineering priorities. LFP batteries offer several advantages over NMC and lead-acid batteries. They are known for their longer lifespan, improved thermal stability, and greater safety due to a lower risk of overheating or catching fire. These characteristics align with Tesla's focus on durability and reliability, especially for a component like the 12V battery, which powers critical systems such as lights, door locks, and the vehicle's electronics when the main battery pack is offline. Additionally, LFP batteries are generally more cost-effective and environmentally friendly, as they use abundant materials like iron and phosphate instead of scarcer metals like cobalt and nickel, potentially reducing production costs and supply chain dependencies. The shift from a 16V NMC to a 12.8V LFP battery also suggests Tesla may be optimizing the low-voltage system for compatibility and efficiency. Posts on X indicate that Tesla designed the Model Y to support both battery types, with a configuration option in the service menu, hinting at a strategic move to diversify supply chains or adapt to different manufacturing needs across its factories. This flexibility could help Tesla mitigate risks from global supply disruptions while maintaining performance. Historically, Tesla used lead-acid 12V batteries in earlier Model Y versions (pre-2021), but these were prone to shorter lifespans and higher weight—drawbacks that prompted a shift to lithium-based solutions. The move to LFP continues this evolution, building on Tesla's earlier adoption of lithium-ion technology to replace lead-acid batteries around 2021. The change to 12.8V LFP likely reflects a refinement of this approach, balancing cost, longevity, and safety while supporting Tesla's broader goal of advancing electric vehicle technology. In summary, Tesla likely changed the 12V battery in the new Model Y to an LFP design to leverage its durability, safety, cost benefits, and supply chain advantages, though the company has not publicly confirmed the precise motivation.

> The Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery, now used in the latest Model Y versions, is widely regarded as the most durable of the three. LFP batteries can last 10–15 years or even longer, thanks to their superior cycle life (often rated for 2,000–3,000 full charge-discharge cycles compared to NMC’s 1,000–2,000). They resist degradation better due to their stable chemistry, which lacks cobalt and nickel, and they perform well across a wide temperature range. In a Tesla, where the 12V battery is trickle-charged by the main pack and not deeply cycled often, an LFP battery could theoretically outlast the vehicle itself under ideal conditions.

> Wow US model years are weird. Yes, yes they are. I've had at least two cars I bought the year before the label said they should exist. One of them was a *very* early PHEV, which was so unusual at the time that it straight-up felt like time travel was involved.

This is another reason Tesla chose to do the Cybertruck before the high volume compact.

People have been saying this but I have yet to see a vin or infotainment screen call it a 2026 they are all 2025.

Are you kidding? This channel is the best technical channel on Tesla. Munro is second, because they are brushing off many of the details. (they got to preserve some IP to sell)

Just confirmed my Juniper came with the 16V li-ion.  Wish it had the 12V LFP battery instead.

How can you tell, by the housing color or labeling? You could always try and source an LFP and install yourself and resell the li-ion...

sorry to spawning old topic like this, my juniper SR came with li-ion battery (software/additional info). so i assume its 16v batterry. in video mentioned that 16v batterry can replace 12v lfp batterry, but not the reverse. is it also applies juniper ? which means in future i cant replace my 16v batterry with 12v lfp ? just wanted make sure im not misunderstood.

From what I remember - the Juniper comes with the new 12.8v LFP battery but is "backward" compatible with the 16v Li-Ion batteries. Are you sure you have 16v li-ion battery? Either way, the Juniper is compatible with both. Previous models can't use the new LFP - they key the connectors so LFP won't fit older cars.

yeah i enabled service mode and reach low-power/power-distrubtion menu. it clearly showed that its indeed 16v li-ion pack. i hope i can upgrade it to lfp pack in future.