Charging a Tesla 2023: Everything you need to know about charging a Tesla

Tesla is currently driving the mission towards a sustainable earth with its electric cars which reduces carbon emission caused by vehicles as opposed to diesel-powered cars. The world population chooses Tesla electric cars because of their sustainable mission, stylish look, effective performance, and futuristic features. 

Issues related to charging a Tesla is common in the world of electric vehicles and has affected the adoption of this innovative technology. This article aims to answer every question you have on how to charge a Tesla, show you how to charge a Tesla and provide some tips on the do’s and don’ts of charging this vehicle. 

How charging a Tesla works

The device used for charging a Tesla is called a supercharger and it charges your Tesla instantly (within 15 minutes) at high voltage. There are about 45,000+ charging stalls for this electric vehicle, most of which are located in North America.

When purchasing a Tesla, you get a specific amount of power in kilowatts-hours (kWh) to be used in a year. When this power is exhausted, you will then need to pay for charging at charging stalls. 

Charging options for Tesla owners

There are three ways you can charge your Tesla:

• Using a supercharger
• Destination charging
• Home charging

Using a supercharger

A Tesla supercharger is a DC charger that directly converts power in the charger before feeding it to your Tesla. This makes a supercharger faster than other charging options.

This is one of the most common ways to charge a Tesla easily. Access the Tesla supercharger map on your car’s display screen to see locations where you can find a charging stall or a Tesla charging station close to you. When you get to a charging stall, here are the simple steps you can take to charge your Tesla:

•  Remove the charging connector from the stall
• Press the button on the upper part of the charger to access the charging port of your Tesla
• Connect the charger to the port and wait for the assigned time for your car to fully charge.

You can view how long your car needs to charge on the Tesla app or your car’s display panel. Tesla superchargers are ideal if you don’t have time to spare and if you want to add more 

There are 3 types of superchargers: V1, V2, and V3. The V1 and V2 superchargers are the older versions that usually charge at 150 kW/hr as compared to the V3 version which is the newer model and charges at 250 kWh.  

Destination charging

Destination charging uses an AC charger which doesn’t directly convert power and send it to your car, instead, it requires an onboard charger where the power will be converted. This makes an AC charger relatively slower. 

Unlike superchargers that can be accessed in charging stalls, destination chargers are wall mounted and are usually mounted on the wall of places away from home (hotels, restaurants, offices, or schools). 

This kind of charger is ideal for people who are away from home and have time to spare for hours of charging. Using destination charging is usually free depending on where you are, you may freely use one of these chargers at a hotel if you are a guest or at an office you work at. The price for using the dean=tination chargers usually depends on the policy of the organizations hosting them.

You can access the location of Tesla destination chargers using the Tesla mobile app. 

Home charging

If you don’t like the waiting and trips that comes with visiting a charging stall, you can charge your Tesla in your home. You have two options for charging a Tesla at home: Wall connector and mobile connector.

Wall connector

A Tesla wall connector is similar to the chargers used in destination charging but they will be installed in your home. You can charge your Tesla with a wall connector for a long time (overnight) and it charges faster than a mobile connector. 

This home charging method offers 44 miles of range per hour.

Mobile Connector

The mobile connector is a kind of charger for your Tesla that does it works via a power outlet in any part of your home or garage. You can install a wall hook to hold the cord of the mobile connector when it is not in use. 

While the mobile connector is convenient and accessible, it does not supply enough power to take your car for a long drive. It supplies between 20-30v which is sufficient for a short trip. 

How long does a Tesla take to charge?

The charging speed of a Tesla depends on its model as well as other contributing factors. 

Charging speeds for Tesla models

It should take up to 30 - 50 minutes to charge a Tesla Model X, Model S, and Model Y from 0% - 100% using a fast DC charger. While it may take up to 7-12 hours to charge this model with an AC charger. This is because an AC charger powers your car with a maximum of 17kW while a DC charger powers your car with a maximum power of 250kW. Using a mobile connector may take as long as 48 hours to fully charge your Tesla. 

Factors affecting charging speed and range of Tesla models

Several factors affect how fast your Tesla battery charges and how long this power lasts.

Temperature and climate

During cold seasons, your Tesla will charge slowly because the chemical reaction involving your lithium-ion battery will be slowed down. You may also notice a short range during this season as more energy than usual is lost as heat when you use your car’s battery.

When constantly exposed to high temperatures, your Tesla battery can degrade quickly, causing it to lose its efficiency.

Charge quality

It may be that the charger provides more power than your Tesla model can handle, or the power provided by the charger is not sufficient to power up your car battery quickly. This difference in charging times can be observed when using an AC and DC charger. 

How much does it cost if I want to fully charge a Tesla?

How much you pay to charge your Tesla depends on where you live and the charging options available. If you live in a region like North Dakota in the US where electricity is cheap, then you will be spending about $7 charging your Tesla in your home. This can be done by charging it in the evening and unplugging it at dawn.

If the regular cost of electricity is higher in the region you live in, then you are likely to pay higher to charge your car. With a super charger when you can up your car’s battery from 0% to 80%, you will need to pay between $17 to $23 depending on your Tesla model. 

How far can a Tesla go on a full charge?

How long a Tesla battery last depends on the model. Tesla Model 3 which has a small battery capacity can last for about 262 miles on a single charge which is about the total distance it takes to go from New York to Washington DC on a drive.  

However, the Tesla Model 2 which has an improved battery capacity can last for about 405 miles on a single charge which is almost the total distance it takes to travel from Los Angeles, California to San Francisco, California on a road trip.

Conclusion

With the increasing demand for sustainable living, owning an electric car can be the best way to play your part, and a Tesla electric car comes at the top of your list. If you’ve been confused about how to charge a Tesla, this article should have covered the basics of everything you need to know about charging a Tesla.

We briefly explained the three methods you can charge your Tesla, how long it takes to charge, how far you can go when it’s charged, and how much you need to pay to fully charge your Tesla.