Panasonic 18650 · Model S/X · Generation 1

Model S 85

Sixteen modules, 7,104 Panasonic cells. The launch pack that established long-range EVs.

NCA18650 cylindrical2012 – Feb 2016Documented

Gross capacity: 85 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

The 85 kWh pack launched with the Model S in 2012 and powered the 85, P85, 85D and P85D. It is a flat floor pack of sixteen modules: fourteen in the main floor section and two stacked at the front.

Each module wires six bricks in series, and each brick holds 74 Panasonic 18650 cells in parallel. That gives 96 bricks in series and 7,104 cells in total, the widely documented 96s74p layout. Tesla replaced the pack with the 90 kWh version and phased it out in early 2016.

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: 85 kWhConfirmed[3]
Tesla's badge capacity. Community cell-level arithmetic does not fully reconcile with this figure.
Usable capacityEnergy available 100% → 0%: Unknown
Chemistry: NCACommunity[1]
Cell format: 18650Confirmed[5][2]
Cell supplier: Panasonic EnergyConfirmed[4]
Cell count: 7,104Community[1][2]
ConfigurationSeries × parallel: 96s74pCommunity[1]
Modules: 16Community[1][2]
14 in the flat section, 2 stacked at the front.
Nominal voltage: Unknown
Architecture: Unknown
Pack mass: Unknown
Commonly quoted figures could not be verified.
Energy densityPack level: Unknown
Requires both pack mass and capacity.
Structural pack: NoEstimated
Conventional floor pack; no structural role documented.
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.

Cell data

Dimensions: Ø18 × 65 mmConfirmed[5]
Capacity: 3.1 AhConfirmed[5]
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[1]
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.

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 S Open in finder

Variant	Period	Factory	Market	Code	Evidence
85 / P85 / 85D / P85DModel S (2012–2021)	Jun 2012 – Feb 2016	Fremont	Not market-specific	—	Documented[3][6]

Supply chain

Panasonic Energy · Japanplant undisclosedTesla Fremont FactorycellsDocumented[4][7]
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

A flat floor pack that kept the center of gravity low and freed the cabin and both trunks. [2]

Tradeoffs

Small-format cells mean thousands of cells and connections per pack. [1]

Identification

How to tell if your car has it

The rear badge (85, P85, 85D, P85D) usually indicates the original pack, but packs may have been replaced under warranty. 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.

Jun 2012Documented[6]
Model S deliveries begin
The Model S launches from Fremont with a flat, sixteen-module 18650 floor pack.
Feb 2016Documented[3]
85 kWh pack phased out
Tesla stops offering the original 85 kWh pack.

Sources

7 references

[1]
Battery facts (Model S 85 kWh pack layout)
Tesla Motors ClubcommunityConsulted 28 Oct 2026Pending direct review
[2]
What's inside Tesla's battery pack
Motor AuthoritypressConsulted 28 Oct 2026Pending direct review
[3]
Tesla phases out 85 kWh Model S battery
AutoblogpressPublished 9 Feb 2016Consulted 28 Oct 2026Pending direct review
[4]
Panasonic and Tesla reach agreement to supply automotive-grade battery cells
Panasonic NewsroomofficialPublished 11 Oct 2011Consulted 28 Oct 2026Pending direct review
[5]
Panasonic's 3.1Ah batteries to be used in the Tesla Model S
EngadgetpressPublished 23 Apr 2010Consulted 28 Oct 2026Pending direct review
[6]
Tesla Model S
WikipediacommunityConsulted 28 Oct 2026Pending direct review
[7]
Panasonic considers producing 2170 cells in Japan
electrive.compressPublished 25 Apr 2019Consulted 28 Oct 2026Pending direct review