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Everything you need to know about charging a Tesla
Tesla Supercharger station in Kettleman City, California.
Charging an electric car can be a daunting task. Charging stations are often unreliable and scarce, and range anxiety remains a common fear among new electric vehicle (EV) drivers. But Tesla makes charging easy for its drivers.
The automaker now offers a wide range of vehicles, from the entry-level Model 3 to the top-of-the-line Cybertruck. All Tesla vehicles use the same North American Charging Standard (NACS) charging port and can be charged at home or on the go at a Tesla Supercharger. Here, CarGurus explains everything you need to know about charging a Tesla, including how long it takes, how much it costs, and whether the weather can have an impact.
How long does it take to charge each Tesla model?
Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 was recently redesigned for 2024 and offers an EPA-estimated range of up to 342 miles in the Long Range AWD trim.
- Level 3: Increase your range by up to 280 kilometers in 15 minutes with Tesla’s fastest V4 Supercharger.
- Level 2: Add up to 70 kilometers of range per hour, meaning a full charge takes about 8 to 12 hours.
- Level 1: Add up to 5 km of range per hour. Fully charging an empty battery takes up to 64 hours.
Tesla Model S
The Model S, Tesla’s flagship sedan, offers an EPA-estimated range of up to 402 miles.
- Level 3: Increase your range by up to 200 miles in 15 minutes with Tesla’s fastest V4 Supercharger.
- Level 2: Add up to 66 kilometers of range per hour, meaning a full charge takes about 10 to 20 hours.
- Level 1: Add up to 5 km of range per hour. Fully charging an empty battery takes up to 78 hours.
Tesla Model X
The Model X, Tesla’s flagship crossover, offers an EPA-estimated range of up to 335 miles.
- Level 3: Increase your range by up to 275 kilometers in 15 minutes with Tesla’s fastest V4 Supercharger.
- Level 2: Add up to 35 miles of range per hour, meaning a full charge takes about 10 to 20 hours.
- Level 1: Add up to 5 km of range per hour. Fully charging an empty battery takes up to 78 hours.
Tesla Model Y
Tesla’s entry-level crossover offers an EPA-estimated range of up to 320 miles in the Model Y Long Range RWD trim.
- Level 3: Increase your range by up to 250 kilometers in 15 minutes with Tesla’s fastest V4 Supercharger.
- Level 2: Add up to 70 kilometers of range per hour, meaning a full charge takes about 8 to 12 hours.
- Level 1: Add up to 5 km of range per hour. Fully charging an empty battery takes up to 72 hours.
Tesla Cybertruck
The Tesla Cybertruck offers an estimated range of up to 320 miles.
- Level 3: Increase your range by up to 206 kilometers in 15 minutes with Tesla’s fastest V4 Supercharger.
- Level 2: Increases range by up to 30 miles per hour, meaning a full charge takes about 10 to 24 hours.
- Level 1: Add up to 5 km of range per hour. Fully charging an empty battery takes up to 96 hours.
How to charge a Tesla
How quickly a Tesla can be charged (or needs a Supercharger) depends on the model, equipment, and kilowatt charging power. Battery size is also crucial: Consider that a Long Range Model 3 with rear-wheel drive (RWD) has a much smaller battery than a Cybertruck, which greatly affects charging time.
The easiest way to charge your Tesla at home is to use a standard 120-volt, three-prong outlet and the Tesla Mobile Connector (sold separately). This is called Level 1 AC charging and is one of the more convenient charging methods, assuming you’ve purchased the Mobile Connector. It’s easy, but it’s also slow. Plug your car into any old grounded outlet and you can get up to 3 miles of range per hour of charging.
If Level 1 charging speeds are too slow for your daily commute, you may need to have an electrician upgrade your outlet to Level 2 AC charging. Level 2 home charging requires at least a NEMA 14-50 240-volt outlet. These are found in most homes for power-intensive appliances like washing machines or electric dryers. You can either plug a Tesla Mobile Connector into a 240-volt outlet (using the adapter included with the Mobile Connector) or install a Tesla Wall Connector. The latter can charge on a 60-amp circuit at speeds up to 11.5 kilowatts (kW)—or up to 70 kilometers per hour. Public Tesla Wall Connectors are also commercially available in hotels, restaurants, and parking garages. These public charging stations are called Destination Chargers.
Level 2 commercial charging stations are now everywhere: these are typically 6-8kW public charging stations installed in many city centers and shopping centers by various companies – ChargePoint, Flo, EVgo and Electrify America are some of the most common. Charging your Tesla at these public charging stations may require the use of a J-1772 to NACS adapter.
Tesla fast charging, defined as “Level 3” or DC fast charging (DCFC), is one of the many strengths of the Tesla ecosystem. Since 2012, Tesla has built an extensive network of Level 3 charging stations around the globe, known as Tesla Superchargers. The latest versions of these fast chargers (V3 or V4) can deliver power at speeds of up to 250 kW, offering up to 320 kilometers of range in just 15 minutes. The older V2 stations are limited to 150 kW, and some “urban” stations, designed for smaller footprints and higher volumes of use, can deliver as little as 72 kW. While charging at these V2 or Urban Superchargers is much faster than Level 2 AC charging, it is still significantly slower than at the V3 or V4 Superchargers. Finally, supercharging a Tesla at these speeds is only possible at Tesla Supercharger locations; Home installations are not possible. The Supercharger network is recommended for road trips or long commutes, as regular DC fast charging can increase wear on your battery.
What is the best way to charge a Tesla?
Lithium-ion batteries (the battery types commonly found in electric vehicles and consumer electronics) generally perform best at between 10% and 80% charge. Regularly charging a car to 100% can be detrimental to long-term battery health, so Tesla’s Charge Settings menu allows you to limit the maximum charge to combat this problem. However, if you’re preparing for a road trip, you’ll probably want to charge to 100% to maximize your range.
Charging a Tesla at home or on the go
If you charge your Tesla at home, using a Level 1 charger overnight is perfectly adequate for most drivers. Charging your Tesla overnight on a Level 1 plug will give you about 30 miles of range, which is perfectly adequate for the average daily commute in the U.S. of 27 miles. If your daily commute is longer than average, consider installing a Level 2 charging option. Your choices are Tesla’s Home Connector or a 240-volt outlet. Charging your Tesla at home with a Level 2 AC charger will give you up to 44 miles of range per hour.
Level 3 DC fast charging at Tesla Superchargers is best for road trips when you want to maximize your charging time. When using a Supercharger, pay attention to your battery’s charging curve. To maintain battery health, all Tesla models reduce charging speed when the battery is full. This means that charging the last 10% of the battery’s capacity takes longer than charging the first 10%. In fact, charging from 20% to 80% can take just as long as charging from 80% to 100%.
What influence do weather conditions have on the charging and range of the electric vehicle?
Weather conditions can have a big impact on EV range and charging speed. Typically, it’s cold weather that affects range the most. Lithium-ion batteries have target operating temperatures, so when temperatures drop in the winter, you’ll use more energy to warm up your battery and interior. Whether you use the heater or the air conditioner, running your air conditioner is another drain on your battery. Keep this in mind for your year-round road trips, because a trip that didn’t require any charging stops in the summer might require one in the winter.
Improve charging by conditioning the battery
Battery temperature also affects how your Tesla charges. To maximize charging speed, a battery needs to be warmed to its proper operating temperature. This process is called “preconditioning.” To precondition your Tesla battery at home, you can schedule charges and departures using the Charge Settings menu. This will ensure that charging is complete and the cabin climate is set at your departure time.
When planning a road trip, activate Tesla’s Route Planner in Maps to optimize your route and travel time. Tesla’s onboard navigation is great for planning charging stops and charging times. As you approach the Superchargers on your route, your Tesla will automatically begin preconditioning the battery so your car is ready to charge at maximum speed when you pull into the next Supercharger station.
How much does it cost to charge a Tesla?
How much it costs to recharge your Tesla depends on several factors. The cost of using a home charger is based on your standard residential electricity rate, which is typically charged per kilowatt hour (kWh). Level 1 charging typically delivers just 1.3 kW per hour, while Level 2 can deliver up to 11.5 kW per hour. Check with your electricity provider for expected costs, and note that the time of day you charge may affect your rate—some areas have lower rates during nighttime “off-peak” hours. You can set your Tesla to charge only during these off-peak hours using the Charging Settings menu.
Charging costs at Level 2 and Level 3 public charging stations at Tesla Superchargers vary depending on the energy delivered and the length of time it takes to charge. Generally, public charging costs are based on how many kWh are delivered to your Tesla. How many kWh you need to charge a Tesla depends on your model and your state of charge, or battery percentage, when plugged in. For example, a Model 3 has a much lower battery capacity (82 kWh) than a Cybertruck (123 kWh). Level 3 charging at Superchargers can get costly due to the massive amounts of energy delivered by the chargers. And be sure to keep an eye on your state of charge while plugged in to avoid idling or congestion fees once your Tesla is done charging.
This story was produced by CarGurus and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media.
