How Fast Does a Tesla Charge?
Tesla has been the undisputed king of the electric car world for a while now. Its Model S and Model X vehicles have been consistently ranked as the top luxury hybrid and electric cars on the market. The Tesla Cybertruck has already reached half a million pre-orders, with the first production vehicles expected to be delivered in 2023.
Tesla's growing dominance in the electric vehicle market has led to many people wondering if the Tesla Supercharger network is an appropriate form of charging for long-distance driving.
People have also been curious about how fast a Tesla charges, specifically its maximum potential charge rate. If you're asking yourself, "How fast can a Tesla charge?" you've come to the right place.
To answer this question, we are going to compare Tesla's charging capabilities.
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Level 1 AC Charging
Level 1 AC charging is the slowest method that can be used for charging a Tesla. It is the universal charging option. Basically, you just plug your Tesla into a standard household outlet that provides 120V.
This option is slow as molasses—charging at 3 to 5 miles of range per hour. This is for electric vehicle owners who want to charge their car with a regular household outlet. But be prepared to wait an eternity to get a meaningful amount of charge into your battery. Most EV owners will be able to hit their daily driving range by charging overnight with Level 1 AC charging.
Level 2 AC Charging
Teslas charge at around 18-28 miles of range per hour from a Level 2 charger. This method is generally faster than a Level 1 because the electricity comes from a 240-volt outlet rather than common household 110 outlets that power a regular dryer.
Level 2 charging equipment costs between $500 – $2,000 depending on power output and whether or not it's hardwired into your home or garage. An installation fee may apply as well.
Tesla recommends installing a dedicated 50-amp circuit breaker because their cars require up to 32 amps to charge at full speed.
Using a standard 240 volt/50 amp circuit, the electric vehicle will charge at about 37 miles of range per hour. This means it'll take about 4-6 hours to charge your car, depending on how drained the battery was.
Tesla Supercharger Network (DC Fast Charging)
The Tesla Supercharger is unique in that it delivers up to 250 kW of power directly to the battery, which equates to charging 1000 miles of range per hour. Most Superchargers can charge a Tesla up to 200 miles of range in only 15 minutes. Superchargers are strategically placed along well-traveled routes to give owners the ability to enjoy long-distance travel with fast, convenient charging that is always en route. For a complete listing of Tesla's expanding Supercharger network, visit: http://www.teslamotors.com/supercharger.
How Fast Can a Tesla Charge?
Many factors come into play when determining Tesla charge time. These include, but are not limited to: battery size, charging power (kW), available outlet power (A), and the condition of both the battery and connection cable.
In summary, this is how fast you can charge a Tesla with each charging method from empty to full for the S and X models:
Tesla's Supercharger is clearly the quickest option. The center console screen displays the expected charging time, as well as the expected range gained. However, keep in mind that due to the significant direct current (DC), Superchargers are not recommended for regular charging.
Why Level 2 Charging is the Best At-Home Option For Your Tesla
Superchargers are only available in certain locations, and unlike Level 2 charging, they can't be used for regular day-to-day charging at home. Additionally, Superchargers are not the most environmentally friendly option because electricity is supplied by coal or other fossil fuel power plants, which are significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions.
Level 2 AC charging at home is the best way to charge your Tesla at this point in time.
One big consideration to take into account when charging a Tesla is that Supercharging infrastructure was built connecting major driving routes between large metropolitan areas in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. This makes it convenient for road trips, but not necessarily convenient for daily commuting or errands run around the suburbs.
Factors that Determine Level 2 Charging Speed For Your Tesla
- Maximum power output of the charger: The charging speed of a Tesla is directly tied to the maximum power output from the charger being used. Most 240 volt AC chargers for residential usage have a maximum power output ability of a range of 3.3 - 17.2 kW for 10-52 miles of range per hour charging.
- Maximum power intake of your Tesla: The maximum power intake of your Tesla affects the speed at which you can charge it. This is either 17.2kW or 11.5kW depending on what kind of Tesla you drive. The amount of power input, combined with the maximum power output of the charger will ultimately determine the speed of charging.
- Maximum current capacity of your electrical panel: The main electrical panel for your home will determine the maximum current capacity. A typical electrical panel can withstand 100 or 200 amps of electrical current. If you plan on charging via a 240v 40 amp circuit, make sure your electrical panel is capable of handling this much amperage. You might need to upgrade to a 400-amp panel in this case.
Pro Tip: Charging overnight may not always be the most cost effective option available. Optiwatt is a free to use app that can help you charge your Tesla (during the day and overnight) at the most affordable times.
Final Notes
As you can see, it is significantly easier to charge with a Tesla than with any other car. This is because Tesla has designed their models to accept DC charging natively, whereas vehicles made by other manufacturers must have external adapters added to enable this. It is also worth noting that different outlets will provide different power levels, which affect how quickly the battery charges. With multiple options and ways to charge your Tesla, it's up to you to decide whether you would rather pull into a Level 2 charger on the street or wait several hours at home for an overnight recharge.
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