If you’re a Tesla owner and don’t yet have a Level 2 EV charger at home you’ve probably considered a Tesla Wall Connector installation at some point. A Tesla Wall Connector is an electric vehicle (EV) charging station manufactured by Tesla. Charging your Tesla at home is much more convenient and cheaper than charging at a Tesla Supercharger or other public charging station.
If you’re thinking about installing a Tesla Wall Connector to charge your Tesla vehicle you’ll need to have a few questions answered before you decide whether or not to go through with an installation. We answer our customers’ most-asked questions about a Tesla Wall charger installation down below.
The Tesla Wall Connector can be adapted to most home electrical systems with variable amperage configurations. It is a fast EV charger specifically made for Teslas.
The Wall Connector has Wi Fi connectivity and can connect to your local Wi-Fi network to receive over-the-air firmware updates, remote diagnostics access, and usage data tracking. Firmware updates are automatically sent to the Wall Connector.
It has a 24-foot charging cable length and an auto-sensing handle.
The Wall Connector can be installed indoors or outdoors and can be wall-mounted or pedestal mounted, but the pedestal will cost extra.
Tesla offers a four-year warranty that begins on the day of purchase.
Please view the table below for Wall Connector speeds as they correspond to your Tesla Model:
Wall Connector Technical Details* | Charge Speed Max miles of range per hour of charge* | |||||
Circuit breaker (amps) | Maximum output (amps) | Power at 240 volts (kilowatt) | Model S (mph) | Model 3† (mph) | Model X (mph) | Model Y (mph) |
60 | 48 | 11.5 kW | 41 | 44 | 35 | 44 |
50 | 40 | 9.6 kW | 34 | 37 | 29 | 37 |
40 | 32 | 7.7 kW | 27 | 30 | 23 | 30 |
30 | 24 | 5.7 kW | 21 | 22 | 17 | 22 |
20 | 16 | 3.8 kW | 14 | 15 | 12 | 15 |
15 | 12 | 2.8 kW | 10 | 11 | 9 | 11 |
*All charge speeds are approximate.
*Data from Tesla.com
The maximum charge rate for Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive is 32A (7.7kW) – up to 30 miles of range per hour.
Why install a Tesla Wall Connector for home charging?
A Tesla Wall Connector is the ideal way to charge a Tesla car. Whether you drive a Tesla Model S, Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model X, or Tesla Model Y, a Wall Connector was built to charge your Tesla EV.
The newest iteration of the Tesla Wall Connector is the third generation. According to Tesla, the Gen 3 Wall Connector can provide up to 44 miles of range per hour of charge, with up to 11.5 kW / 48 amp output. This can be up to 50% faster than other Level 2 chargers you can buy on the market that are not made by Tesla.
The Gen 3 Wall Connector also offers power sharing so you can charge more than one Tesla at the same time at sufficient speeds without overloading your electrical capacity. You can charge with up to six Wall Connectors at the same time on the same circuit.
While there are other manufacturers of high-quality electric car chargers that carry charging stations that can charge your Tesla, a Tesla Wall Connector is the only Tesla-specific charger. The Wall Connector uses the same app as your Tesla vehicle to control access to the charging station, and schedule and monitor home charging sessions.
Installing a Tesla Wall Connector requires an understanding of electrical components and equations. You should not install a Tesla Wall Connector yourself unless you are a licensed electrician. A DIY EV charger installation is a risky project and can potentially put you and your family in danger. An improperly installed Tesla Wall Connector could lead to sparking or, even worse, a house fire. Connect with a licensed electrician to install your Tesla Wall Connector so you can ensure it is installed safely and correctly. In fact, Tesla says on their website that the Wall Connector must be installed by a qualified electrician.
Yes, most electricians should be able to install a Tesla Wall Connector, but it is best if you enlist the services of an electrician that has experience and/or is specially trained in EV charging installations. You should err on the side of caution when it comes to installing an EV charger. As mentioned earlier, an improperly installed EV charging station could easily lead to a fire.
A Tesla Wall Connector is relatively affordable at $425. Add-ons include a pedestal which costs $425, a cable organizer for $35, and a colored faceplate in four different options for $75.
Installation costs will vary depending on how far your Tesla Wall Connector will be from your electrical panel, the capacity of your home’s electrical panel, if you’ll need a panel upgrade, if you are installing it indoors or outdoors, and whether you qualify for EV charging rebates. Currently, installation costs range from $750 – $1,500.
Yes, your house can handle a Tesla charger, whether it is a Level 1 or Level 2 charger. A Level 1 charger plugs into a standard 120-volt household outlet, while a Level 2 charger plugs into a 240-volt outlet. You may need a panel upgrade for a 240-volt outlet, but most houses have the capacity for an additional 240-volt circuit breaker. An electrician will be able to inform you if you need a panel upgrade when they come to your house for an estimate.
A Level 1 charger is extremely slow and usually comes standard with the purchase or lease of a Tesla. It is extremely slow. Most EV drivers are eventually interested in a Level 2 charger, like a Wall Connector, due to their faster charging speeds.
Does Tesla Wall Connector plug into the outlet?
No, unlike the Tesla Mobile Connector the Tesla Wall Connector is not available in a plug-in version and can only be hardwired. Tesla and most electricians recommend hardwired EV charging station installations since they are more robust and efficient than plug-in installations.
WattLogic can send electricians trained in Tesla Wall Connector installations to your house for a safe installation no matter where you are located in the US. WattLogic also has Tesla Wall Connectors in stock and ready to be installed in your home, condo, or apartment. Check out WattLogic’s EV charger cost estimator to find out just how affordable your Tesla home charger installation can be!