How Long Does It Take to Charge a Tesla?

Tesla cars are some of the most talked-about vehicles on the market today. They’re environmentally friendly, require less maintenance, and have great safety ratings. And with gas prices expected to rise in 2023, being able to drive over 350 miles on a single charge is an outstanding value. But when people are considering buying a Tesla, the question on everyone’s mind is, “How long does it take to charge a Tesla?” Here’s what you need to know.

How long does it take to charge a Tesla?

When it comes to charging a Tesla vehicle, there are three different levels to choose from. It doesn’t matter if an EV driver is charging a Tesla Model Y, Tesla Model S, or Tesla Model X, the charging level options will be the same. Level 1 charging is the slowest method and can take up to 40 hours to fully charge a Tesla battery. The charging time of a Level 1 charger is too slow for most Tesla drivers. Level 2 charging is faster, taking only 4-10 hours, while Level 3 DC fast charging (DCFC) is the quickest method, able to charge a Tesla car in as little as 15-25 minutes. A Tesla Super Charger station is a DC fast charger.

The above-mentioned charging times will vary slightly depending on which Tesla is being charged and what the battery size is. For example, an older Tesla Roadster will take longer to charge than a Tesla Model S. By the way, the Tesla Model S has one of the highest ranges out of any EV on the market at 405 miles.

If you own or plan on purchasing a Tesla, the size of your battery is a key factor that will affect how much energy it consumes each time you’re behind the wheel. To ensure you’ve got the right battery for your driving needs and energy budget, let’s take a look at the battery sizes offered in Tesla’s current lineup.

TESLA BATTERY SIZES

These numbers represent kilowatt-hours (kWh), which is essentially a measure used to show how much electrical energy each battery can store or deliver. In practical terms, this means that larger batteries provide greater range – they allow you to drive longer distances on a single charge before needing to refuel. So when considering what type of Tesla best suits your needs from an energy efficiency standpoint, it pays to keep these figures in mind – as well as how much money you’d be willing to spend for increased ranges per charge!

Tesla’s estimated driving ranges are among the most impressive on the market, boasting a variety of models that can drive up to 396 miles on a single charge. This is significantly higher than many other electric vehicle models and provides excellent range. To help better understand these distances, we have created a chart showing the expected driving range for each of Tesla’s models. This includes the Model S, Model X, Model 3 and Model Y, which come equipped with different battery sizes.

TESLA RANGES 

The chart shows the expected distance each model can achieve with its specific battery size when driving in ideal conditions such as warm weather and light load. The chart also highlights how Tesla’s newer vehicles are able to offer increased driving range due to their improved efficiency and powertrain design. It is important to remember that real-world scenarios may vary from these estimated values due to environmental factors such as temperature, terrain, or traffic levels.

Charging at Home vs Charging at a Supercharger Station

One of the benefits of being a Tesla owner is that you can charge your car at home using a standard 120-volt outlet, a faster 240-volt Level 2 charger, or you can charge it at a Tesla Supercharger station. Charging at home is convenient and safe. Using a Level 1 home charger to charge your Tesla vehicle is not recommended since it is too slow. A better option is to get a Level 2 home charging station.

It will take longer to charge with a home Level 2 charger than a DCFC Tesla Supercharger but most EV drivers plug in overnight and wake up to a fully charged Tesla car, so DC fast charging isn’t necessary.

Another reason why home chargers are a better option for a Tesla driver is there are only about 1,500 Tesla Supercharger stations across the United States. Not all of them are necessarily easy to get to or even in operation.

How does fast charging work?

When you plug your Tesla into an electric vehicle charging station, the onboard charger starts drawing power from the electric grid and converts it into direct current (DC) electricity. That DC electricity is then sent to the battery where it’s stored. The rate at which your car charges depends on how much power your charger can draw from the electric grid-if you’re using a standard 120-volt outlet, it will be slower than if you’re using a Supercharger station. 

So, how long does it take to charge a Tesla? It depends. If you’re charging at home, it will take anywhere from 4 to 12 hours for a full charge. If you’re charging at a Supercharger station, you can get up to 80% charge in about 30 minutes. No matter how you choose to charge your Tesla, one thing is for sure – you’ll enjoy all the benefits that come with driving an electric vehicle.

Charging Levels and Speeds

There are various public and private charging station options available for Tesla drivers. These charging stations are divided into three levels, according to their voltage and speed.

There are three different charging levels, each with pros and cons.

• Level 1 AC Charging. Level 1 charging stations have a minimum of 120-volt walls. Examples of Level 1 chargers are outlets installed at home driveways or garages. These have a very slow charge rate of 2 to 5 miles per hour and are often used for overnight charging.
• Level 2 AC Charging. Most public charging stations and workplace chargers are classified as level 2. These chargers use 240 volts and can fully charge an EV in 4 to 6 hours or at a rate of 30 to 35 miles per hour.
• Level 3 or DC Fast Charging. Also called DC Fast Charging, these EV chargers supply direct current, rather than alternating current. These can output up to 480 volts of power, making it possible to recharge 80% battery in 30 minutes.

While Level 3 chargers are the fastest way to charge an electric car, most businesses and homeowners do not have the electrical infrastructure to support this type of charger. Level 2 chargers, on the other hand, are commonly installed in both businesses and houses across the United States. Level 2 chargers take longer to charge a car than Level 3 chargers, but they are less expensive to install and can be used with any type of electric car. For most people, a Level 2 charger is the best option for home or business use.

Tesla Charging Requirements

When it comes to electric vehicles, one of the most important considerations is battery capacity. This not only affects the total range of the vehicle, but also the amount of time required to charge the battery.

For example, the Tesla Model S has a battery capacity of 100 kWh, while the Tesla Model 3 has a smaller battery capacity of 82 kWh. As a result, it takes longer to charge the Model S than it does to charge the Model 3.

Additionally, Tesla EVs use unique, specifically designed charging plugs. Although there won’t be any problem charging at a Tesla Supercharging station, using a non-Tesla public charging station would require using a Tesla adapter. Therefore, it’s important to keep in mind both the battery capacity and the type of charger when considering a Tesla EV.

Tesla Charger Installation 

WattLogic is the perfect solution for you! We can help you install a fast Level 2 EV charger in your home or office so that you can charge your Tesla quickly and easily. We also offer a wide range of Tesla charging products so that you can find the perfect one for your needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can install an EV charger and help you reduce your carbon footprint!