How fast does a Tesla charge?
Tesla Charging — Information & Answers About Charging a Tesla
Other public DC fast charging sites deliver similar charging times. For example, an Electrify America 350 kilowatt (kW) charger (the fastest currently available) can charge a capable vehicle in as little as 20 minutes.
Charging times using public or home Level 2 (AC) chargers vary widely, depending on the vehicle model and the available power supply. In general, you can expect to add between 20 and 30 miles of range per hour of charging.
An overnight charge at home should give you a full battery every morning. An affordable Level 2 EV charger like the Wallbox can work for all EVs, and still charge a Tesla with a simple adapter.
How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Tesla?
This depends on where you do your charging and the electricity rates in your part of the country. Rates vary widely.
Pricing at Superchargers varies by location, but the cost is typically about $0.25 per kWh. Supercharging is free for cars purchased before January 2017.
If you charge at home, the local cost of electricity will determine your overall charging cost. The average utility rate in the US was about 13.72 cents per kWh as of March 2022.
To calculate the home charging cost, multiply the capacity of your battery (in kWh) by your utility’s cost per kWh.
- Battery capacity = 75 kWh
- Electricity rate = $0.1372 per kWh
- Charging cost = 75 times $0.1372 = $10.29 (approximately) for a near-empty battery fill-up.
How to Charge a Tesla?
There are four options for charging:
- A Tesla Supercharger that provides very fast charging for a fee (unless you own a pre-2017 Tesla, which was purchased with free Supercharging).
- A Tesla Destination Charger — these are found at hotels and other businesses. Charging is either free or provided at a low cost. These are designed for overnight use, and charging is slower than at a Supercharger, typically adding about 20-30 miles of range per hour of charging.
- A public Level 2 charger offered by companies like ChargePoint. Some of these are free, and some will bill the cost to your credit card.
- Home charging using you Tesla Universal Charging Connector (UMC) — the preferred method of charging for most Tesla owners.
- If you bought a used Tesla and did not get the Tesla UMC, we offer plenty of Level 1 and Level 2 chargers that can charge your Tesla and all other EVs
Regardless of the charging method you use, you simply plug into the Tesla charging port (rear of the car on the driver’s side) and charging will start automatically.
How Long Does It Take to Charge a Tesla Model 3?
Using the recommended NEMA 14-50 circuit, your Model 3 will get about 30 miles of range per hour of charging. That means that an 8-hour overnight charge in your garage will provide about 240 miles of range. In most cases, your battery should be fully charged every morning.
How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Tesla at a Charging Station?
Pricing at Superchargers varies by location, but the cost is typically about $0.25 per kWh. Supercharging is free for cars purchased before January 2017.
A full recharge to about 250 miles of range should cost approximately $22.00. More typically, an 80% charge should cost around $18.00.
How Do You Charge a Tesla?
There are four options for charging:
- A Tesla Supercharger that provides very fast charging for a fee (unless you own a pre-2017 Tesla, which was purchased with free Supercharging).
- A Tesla Destination Charger — these are found at hotels and other businesses. Charging is either free or provided at a low cost. These are designed for overnight use, and charging is slower than at a Supercharger, typically adding about 20-30 miles of range per hour of charging.
- A public Level 2 charger offered by companies like ChargePoint. Some of these are free, and some will bill the cost to your credit card.
- Home charging using your Tesla Universal Charging Connector (UMC). The preferred method of charging for most Tesla owners. If you’re traveling, this presents opportunities to charge at friends or relatives homes, or alternatively at destinations like campgrounds. See our road trip charging accessories for adapters and extension cords to make your experience way easier.
Regardless of the charging method you use, you simply plug into the Tesla charging port (rear of the car on the driver’s side) and charging will start automatically.
How to Charge Tesla at Home?
Have an electrician run a 240V-50A circuit from your electrical service box (the grey box where your circuit breakers are located) to the location where you want to plug in your charging cable. At that location, the electrician will install a NEMA-14-50 outlet (the same outlet used for many kitchen ovens).
Your Tesla Universal Charging Connector (UMC) plugs directly into the NEMA 14-50 outlet. The actual charger resides inside your vehicle—all you need is the circuit described and the UMC. You can also charge your vehicle using a 120V line, but it takes about twice as long. We offer the Schumacher 16 AMP EV charger which can work off a normal 110v outlet, like what you plug you phone charger into. It’s an affordable option that has Level 2 charging capability once you do get a 240v circuit.
How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Tesla Model 3?
Pricing at Superchargers varies by location, but the cost is typically about $0.25 per kWh. A full recharge to about 250 miles of range should cost approximately $22.00. More typically, an 80% charge should cost around $18.00.
If you charge at home, the local cost of electricity will determine your overall charging cost. The average utility rate in the US was about 13.72 cents per kWh as of March 2022.
To calculate the home charging cost, multiply the capacity of your battery (in kWh) by your utility’s cost per kWh.
- Battery capacity = 75 kWh
- Electricity rate = $0.1372 per kWh
- Charging cost = 75 times $0.1372 = $10.29 (approximately) for a near-empty battery fill-up.
How Long Does a Tesla Charge Last?
That depends on the distance you drive each day. Tesla vehicles come with different size batteries, depending on the model and the options chosen. In general, range varies from about 230 miles to over 360 miles. Divide the number of miles you drive each day into the range of your battery and you can get a rough estimate of how long your car’s battery capacity will serve you without a recharge.
For example, if you own a Model 3 with a 230-mile range battery and drive about 40 miles each day, your battery capacity should serve you for about 5 days without a recharge.
There are losses that occur, so it’s a good idea to round down. Note also that a Tesla tells its owner how much range remains, so you don’t have to guess. Finally, note that most Tesla owners charge their cars at home overnight, so battery capacity and range are rarely an issue.
How Far Can a Tesla Go on One Charge?
Tesla vehicles come with different size batteries, depending on the model and the options chosen. In general, range varies from about 230 miles to upward of 360 miles on one charge. It’s important to note that long trips are not only possible but easy because a network of Superchargers already exists along all major Interstate routes.
Where to Charge Tesla?
There are four options for charging:
- A Tesla Supercharger that provides very fast charging for a fee (unless you own a pre-2017 Tesla, which was purchased with free Supercharging).
- A Tesla Destination Charger — these are found at hotels and other businesses. Charging is either free or provided at a low cost. These are designed for overnight use, and charging is slower than at a Supercharger, typically adding about 20-30 miles of range per hour of charging.
- A public Level 2 charger offered by companies like ChargePoint. Some of these are free, and some will bill the cost to your credit card.
- Home charging using your Tesla Universal Charging Connector (UMC). The preferred method of charging for most Tesla owners. If you’re traveling, this presents opportunities to charge at friends or relatives homes, or alternatively at destinations like campgrounds. See our road trip charging accessories for adapters and extension cords to make your experience way easier.
Regardless of the charging method you use, you simply plug into the Tesla charging port (rear of the car on the driver’s side) and charging will start automatically.
How Many kWh to Charge a Tesla?
Different Tesla models have different battery capacities (the exact battery sizes are no longer publicized). In general, battery size varies between approximately 50 kWh (Standard Range Model 3) to 100 kWh (Model S).
These figures refer to the «usable battery capacity.» For technical reasons, no EV battery is charged to its full capacity. As an estimate, you’ll need to use about 50 kWh of energy to fully charge a Standard Range Model 3 battery. The amount of energy that your charging circuit can deliver to the battery in one hour is a function of the voltage and the amperage of the circuit.
How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Tesla at Home?
If you charge at home, the local cost of electricity will determine your overall charging cost. The average utility rate in the US was about 13.72 cents per kWh as of March 2022.
To calculate the home charging cost, multiply the capacity of your battery (in kWh) by your utility’s cost per kWh.
- Battery capacity = 75 kWh
- Electricity rate = $0.1372 per kWh
- Charging cost = 75 times $0.1372 = $10.29 (approximately) for a near-empty battery fill-up.
Where Are Tesla Charging Stations?
There are almost 1,200 Supercharger stations in the US, with approximately 9,000 individual Superchargers.
These stations are located along every major Interstate route, allowing Tesla owners to travel long distances with no worries about getting a charge.
How Long Will a Tesla Battery Last?
Tesla warrants its batteries against failure for 8 years or 100,000 miles. Over time, all lithium-ion batteries gradually lose capacity. The rate of battery degradation varies widely, but experts predict an average capacity loss of around 5% over the first 50,000 miles. That means that after 50,000 miles of driving, you might lose about 5 percent of the range you had when the car was new. In real-world terms, a Long Range Model 3 has a range of 310 miles when new. After 50,000 miles of driving, you might expect the range to be around 294 miles.
It’s important to note that the rate of degradation is not linear — it tends to proceed faster in the early years and to slow down as time passes. That means that it might be as much as 200,000 miles before a Tesla Model 3 loses 10 percent of its battery capacity.
How long does it take to charge a Tesla?
Tesla offers some of the most popular electric vehicles on the market. One of the most important things people want to know before they purchase a Tesla, or any electric vehicle in general is, how long does it take to charge?
It can take anywhere from one hour to seven days to fully charge a Tesla.
How long it takes for your Tesla to charge depends on which model you own, what type of charger you use, and how much charge is left on your battery when it begins charging.
Currently, Tesla offers four vehicle models:
We’re going to take a look at how long it’ll take a Tesla to charge, depending on the model and which charger you use.
Key takeaways
- The most common home charging options for a Tesla are using a Tesla mobile charger with the NEMA 5-15 outlet adapter, a 14-50 outlet adapter, or installing a Tesla Wall Connector, which Tesla recommends.
- A Tesla Model 3 will take anywhere from 40 minutes to 5 hours to charge after a 30-mile commute, depending on the type of charger used.
- After a 30-mile commute, a Tesla Model S will take about 1 hour to charge with a Wall Connector and about 6 hours using a NEMA 5-15 charger.
- A Tesla Model X will take roughly 7.5 hours to charge after a 30-mile commute, while it will take less than an hour using a Wall Connector.
- A Tesla Model Y will only take about 45 minutes to recharge after a 30-mile commute when using a Tesla Wall Connector.
On this page
What types of charging stations are there?
Tesla Superchargers are super fast
Tesla’s Supercharger network consists of 1,870 charging stations and a total of 16,585 individual Superchargers. Image source: Tesla
Tesla has their own network of public vehicle chargers known as Superchargers. These 480-volt vehicle charging stations are designed to charge Teslas with incredible speed.
Superchargers recharge at different rates for each of the Tesla models:
| Tesla model | Miles of range per 15 minutes of Supercharging |
| Model 3 | 175 miles |
| Model S | 200 miles |
| Model X | 175 miles |
| Model Y | 162 miles |
How long does it take to charge a Tesla using a Supercharging station?
Superchargers can recharge a vehicle’s battery up to 80% in just about 40 minutes. After the battery reaches 80%, it will begin to charge slower to protect the battery’s health until it reaches a full charge.
See how much you can save when you charge your Tesla using solar panels
Charging your Tesla at home
Superchargers have an incredibly fast charging speed, but they can put a lot of stress on the car’s battery. So, using an at-home charger is best for everyday recharging. There are a few different options for charging your Tesla at home.
The most popular home charging options for Teslas are:
- NEMA 5-15 charging
- NEMA 14-50 charging
- Tesla Wall Connector charging
NEMA 5-15 chargers
Every Tesla comes with a NEMA 5-15 charger, which can be plugged into any standard 120-volt outlet. These are the standard household outlets, like the ones that you plug your phone or laptop into.
A NEMA 5-15 charger will add about 3 miles of range per hour of charging. This is the slowest way to charge your Tesla, making it best-suited for overnight charging.
NEMA 5-15 chargers come with the purchase of every Tesla. Image source: Tesla
How long does it take to charge a Tesla using a NEMA 5-15 charger?
Depending on which model and version of Tesla you own, it can take anywhere from two to four days to charge your empty Tesla battery to 100%.
NEMA 14-50 chargers
You can purchase charging adapters so you can charge your Tesla by using some other types of outlets you may have in your home. Besides the standard 120-volt outlet, many homes will have 240-volt outlets. These are usually used to power washing machines and clothing dryers.
Tesla’s NEMA 14-50 adapter will charge your Tesla much faster than the NEMA 5-15 charger, as it is using a more powerful outlet.
NEMA 14-50 charging adapters allow you to charge your Tesla faster without having to install any equipment in your home. Image source: Tesla
How long does it take to charge a Tesla using a NEMA 14-50 charger?
Depending on which model and version of Tesla you own, it can take between 10 and 15 hours to fully charge your empty car battery.
Wall Connectors
Tesla also offers the option to install a charging unit in your home, which is called a Wall Connector. Wall Connectors are the fastest way to charge your Tesla in your home. Your Tesla will receive a maximum of 44 miles of range per hour of charge using a Wall Connector.
It’s important to note that Wall Connectors cost more than the charging adaptors. A Wall Connector costs $500 to install and it must be installed by a Tesla-qualified electrician.
Tesla recommends Wall Connectors as the best way to charge your vehicle.
The speed at which a Wall Connector will charge your Tesla depends on the circuit breaker it is connected to. Tesla recommends installing Wall Connector to a 60 amp circuit breaker. Image source: Tesla
How long does it take to charge a Tesla using a Wall Connector?
Your Tesla will take anywhere between six and 15 hours to fully charge with a Wall Connector.
Tesla charge times, based on the model
How long does it take to charge a Tesla Model 3?
The Model 3 is Tesla’s highest-selling vehicle.
There are two different versions of the Model 3 currently on the market:
- Model 3
- Model 3 Performance
Tesla’s Model 3 can charge faster than any other Tesla because of its battery’s small range. Image source: Tesla
The Model 3 Standard Range Plus has a battery range of 272 miles.
The following table represents how long it will take to charge each version of the Model 3 using various charging options, assuming the vehicle’s battery is completely empty:
| At-home charging option | Model 3 Standard Range Plus charge time | Model 3 Performance charge time |
|---|---|---|
| NEMA 5-15 | 1.8 days | 2.2 days |
| NEMA 14-50 | 9.1 hours | 10.5 hours |
| Wall Connector | 9.1 hours | 7.2 hours |
Being that the average American’s commute is only 30 miles roundtrip, recharging your Tesla Model 3 after a long day of work will take 10 hours using a NEMA 5-15 charger, one hour to recharge using a NEMA 14-50 charger, and only about 40 minutes using a Wall Connector.
How long does it take to charge a Tesla Model S?
The Tesla Model S has the longest range of any electric vehicle on the market.
It comes in two different versions:
Each version of the Model S has a range of over 300 miles, with the Model S coming in at 405 miles of range and the Model S Plaid at 396 miles of range.
Tesla’s Model S can charge quickly at home by using a Wall Connector like the one shown here. Image source: Tesla
The following table represents the charge time for the three versions of the Model S using different charging options, assuming the vehicle’s battery is completely empty:
| At-home charging option | Model S charge time | Model S Plaid charge time |
|---|---|---|
| NEMA 5-15 | 3.4 days | 3.3 days |
| NEMA 14-50 | 15 hours | 10 hours |
| Wall Connector | 9.9 hours | 9.7 hours |
To charge your Tesla Model S after a commute of 30 miles, it would take about 6 hours using a NEMA 5-15 charger, approximately 1.1 hours using a NEMA 14-50 charger, and less than one hour using a Wall Connector.
Calculate what the solar payback period is for your home
How long does it take to charge a Tesla Model X?
Tesla’s SUV model, the Model X, is offered in two versions:
The Model X has a range of 351 miles, while the Plaid has a range of 333.
Tesla’s Model X will take over 15 hours to charge using a NEMA 14-50 charger like the one shown here. Image source: Tesla
The following table represents the charge time for both versions of the Model X using different charging options. This assumes the vehicle’s battery is completely empty:
| At-home charging option | Model X charge time | Model X Plaid charge time |
|---|---|---|
| NEMA 5-15 | 3.6 days | 3.5 days |
| NEMA 14-50 | 15.2 hours | 10 hours |
| Wall Connector | 10 hours | 9.5 hours |
In order to charge your Tesla Model X after a commute of 30 miles, it would take about 7.5 hours using a NEMA 5-15 charger, approximately 1.3 hours using a NEMA 14-50 charger, and less than an hour using a Wall Connector.
How long does it take to charge a Tesla Model Y?
The Model Y is Tesla’s newest vehicle. The compact SUV comes at a cheaper price than the Model X, while still having great range. There are two different versions of the Model Y:
- Model Y Long Range
- Model Y Performance
The Tesla Model Y can charge completely in as little as 5.8 hours using a Wall Connector. Image source: Autocar
The Long Range Model Y has a range of 330 miles. The other Model Y versions has 303 miles of range.The following table represents the charge times for the different Model Y versions using different charging options.
The following table represents the charge times for the different Model Y versions using different charging options.
| At-home charging option | Model Y Long Range charge time | Model Y Performance charge time |
|---|---|---|
| NEMA 5-15 | 2.75 days | 2.5 days |
| NEMA 14-50 | 12.2 hours | 7.5 hours |
| Wall Connector | 7.5 hours | 6.8 hours |
If you were to charge a Model Y after a 30-mile commute, it would take about 6 hours using a NEMA 5-15 charger, approximately 1 hour using a NEMA 14-50 charger, and about 45 minutes using a Wall Connector.
How long will my Tesla usually charge for?
No matter which charger you decide to use, it will never take more than three days to fully charge your car. However, since very few people will deplete their Tesla’s battery down to zero, it’s unlikely you will ever use all three days charging your car.
For most people, it will take anywhere between one and eight hours to charge their Tesla, depending on the charger they use and how much their battery is already charged.
Although it may take a little more time than filling up at the gas pump, it’s cheaper to charge an electric vehicle than it is to purchase gas in all 50 states. This means that even though Teslas can have a high upfront cost, they will save you money in the long run. Charging your Tesla will cost you even less if you have solar panels on your home.
An overnight charge will almost always get your Tesla right where you want it to be and you can rest assured knowing that the next morning, your Tesla will get you to wherever you want to go.
How long does it take to charge a Tesla?
Tesla electric cars have become the EV industry’s gold standard, but competition is expected to intensify as more electric vehicle models come to market in the near future. The Tesla Model 3 has been an electrifying success with nearly 100,000 Model 3 sales in 2019 alone. Tesla continues to lead the battery-electric vehicle market as they scale production to meet growing consumer demand for EVs. As more consumers are going electric, many are asking questions such as: How long does it take to charge a Tesla? Is a Level 2 electric car charger right for me? How often do you have to charge a Tesla? Or how to charge a Tesla at home? In this post, we’ll take a deep dive into everything you need to know about charging your Tesla.
Tesla battery size & types of chargers
The Model S, Tesla’s flagship vehicle, is offered in several different models with varying battery capacity, power (motor size), and charging speed. The ‘Long Range’ 2019 Model S has a range of 370 miles, which is the longest electric range of any car on the road today. The Model S has a 100 kWh battery and can be charged with a variety of EV chargers. Electric vehicles can be charged with a 120-volt Level 1 charger or a 240-volt Level 2 charger as well as DCFC stations.
How to charge a Tesla at home
Level 1 charging stations can be plugged straight into a standard 120V outlet in your home or garage. While Level 1 systems have the ability to get the job done, they are the least efficient way to charge your EV and can take as long as 3 days to fully charge a Tesla. This painfully slow charging rate often leads a Tesla vehicle owner to depend on the Tesla public charging Supercharger network or install a home EV charger of their own.
The second home charging option for a Tesla EV driver is a Level 2 charging station that puts out the recommended 240 volts that are needed to charge your Tesla. Level 2 charging systems plug into a dedicated 50 amp circuit that may require professional electrical installation. With significantly more power than a level one charging station, Level 2 chargers can charge your Tesla roughly 6 times faster. The maximum rate at which a Tesla can charge is between 7.2kW-11.5 kW, depending on the Tesla model. So how many kWh to charge a Tesla exactly? Teslas have a battery capacity ranging from 50 kWh on the standard range Model 3 to a whopping 100 kWh that powers all Model S and Model X packages.
One question that all new EV drivers face is where to charge an electric car. At-home charging stations are the most common way to charge given it’s usually the most convenient if you have a designated parking spot. If you live in a populated area, Tesla Superchargers may have longer than expected wait times to use a charging station. A Tesla home charger allows you to charge your vehicle from the convenience of your own home. If you want to learn more about the costs between a public charging station and a home charging station, you can read our breakdown of Tesla charging station cost.
