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Do you choose Tesla as your first electric vehicle? Are you concerned about charging-related issues?
Are you worried about how and where to charge your Tesla or how long it will last between charges? Is there a way to quickly charge a Tesla in an emergency?
Luckily, we’ve done extensive research and have the answers below.
The Battery Capacity Of A Tesla
The battery capacity of your Tesla will vary depending on the model. For example, a 2023 Model 3 will range from 50 to 82 kWh, while the Model Y ranges from 67.6 to 81 kWh.
| Years | Trim | Battery capacity | EPA Range |
| 2023 | Standard Range | 75 kWh | 279 mi |
| 2023 | Long Range | 75 kWh | 330 mi |
| 2023 | Performance | 75 kWh | 303 mi |
| 2022 | Long Range | 81 kWh | 330 mi |
| 2022 | Performance | 81 kWh | 303 mi |
| 2021 | Long Range | 75 kWh | 326 mi |
| 2021 | Performance | 75 kWh | 303 mi |
| 2020 | Long Range | 75 kWh | 316 mi |
| 2020 | Performance | 75 kWh | 315 mi |
| Years | Trim | Battery capacity | EPA Range |
| 2023 | RWD | 50 kWh | 272 mi |
| 2023 | Performance AWD | 82 kWh | 315 mi |
| 2022 | RWD | 50 kWh | 272 mi |
| 2022 | Long Range AWD | 82 kWh | 358 mi |
| 2022 | Performance | 82 kWh | 315 mi |
| 2021 | Standard Range Plus | 54 kWh | 263 mi |
| 2021 | Long Range | 82 kWh | 353 mi |
| 2021 | Performance | 82 kWh | 315 mi |
| 2020 | Standard Range | 54 kWh | 220 mi |
| 2020 | Standard Range Plus | 54 kWh | 250 mi |
| 2020 | Long Range | 75 kWh | 330 mi |
| 2020 | Performance | 75 kWh | 322 mi |
| 2019 | Standard Range | 54 kWh | 220 mi |
| 2019 | Standard Range Plus | 54 kWh | 240 mi |
| 2019 | Mid Range | 62 kWh | 264 mi |
| 2019 | Long Range | 75 kWh | 310 mi |
| 2019 | Performance | 75 kWh | 310 mi |
| 2018 | Mid Range | 75 kWh | 310 mi |
| 2018 | Long Range | 75 kWh | 260 mi |
| 2018 | Performance | 75 kWh | 310 mi |
| 2017 | Standard | 50kWh | 220 mi |
| 2017 | Long Range | 75 kWh | 310 mi |
That’s not even including the Tesla Model S and X, which have a battery capacity of 100 kWh. Tesla vehicles come in different models and driving ranges, some shorter-distance and others long-range.
How Do I Charge My Tesla? What Are The Different Charging Levels?
Once you have your Tesla and it’s time to charge, this should be straightforward. Here are a few ways to do this for a Model 3:
- Touch Controls and touch the Charge Port icon.
- Navigate to Controls > Charging > Open Charge Port.
- Press the bottom of the charge port door when your car is unlocked.
- Press and hold the rear trunk button on your fob key for 1-2 seconds.
- Find the Voice Commands feature inside your vehicle to open the charge port door.
Luckily, these troubleshooting techniques should work for any Tesla model.
Level 1
Level one charging is 120 volts and is better suited for overnight, in-garage charging. With level one, your vehicle should charge by the following day if you plug it in when you get home, so this is the slowest option.
The level one charger uses the standard 110/120V electric outlet, like most electronics you can buy at the store. It will give you at least two miles of Tesla range per hour of charging and up to four depending on the outlet/power.
Level 2
Next, we have a level two Tesla charger. With this option, you have double the power of a level one charging station, with roughly 240 volts.
This type of charger is better for quick charging between driving, delivering anywhere from 3.3 – 17.2 kW of power. Furthermore, this should give your Tesla 10-52 miles of range per hour charging.
Level 3
Lastly, you have the Tesla level three charging option. Also known as a ‘Supercharger‘, this will give you the quickest charge time among the three levels.
For example, when using a Supercharger, your Tesla can recover up to 75 miles of charge in 5 minutes and charge up to 1,000 miles per hour. You might see these at charging stations at the mall, grocery, airport, hotel, etc., so they’re the favorite one among EV drivers.
Does A Tesla Need To Be Fully Charged?
No. Although you can charge your vehicle up to 100%, this is optional for shorter-span driving. According toTesla, it’s better to charge your car within the ‘Daily’ range bracket, up to approximately 90%.
In most cases, users of Li-ion battery vehicles charged them to 80% or 90% for shorter-distance “regular” driving. However, for Model 3 and Model Y rear-wheel drive models with lithium iron acid (LFP) batteries: you should charge them to 100%.
Of course, some drivers charge their Teslas to 100% once weekly, drive until the battery notifies them it needs a charge, and repeat this cycle. You just don’t want to charge your Tesla 100% daily, as this isn’t necessary and can harm the battery.
Moreover, if the vehicle has been parked for over a week, Tesla recommends charging 100% as soon as possible.
How Fast Do They Charge?
When it comes to charging speeds for your Tesla vehicle, this will vary depending on the type of charger you use.
For instance, here are some estimated charge times/speeds based on the charging method being used for a Tesla:
- Wall Connector up to 44 miles of range per hour charged.
- Mobile Connectors and Adapters: A 120-volt outlet will supply 2 to 3 miles of range per hour charged.
- Superchargers-charge your car up to 200 miles in 15 minutes.
Calculating How Long Your Tesla Battery Will Charge
- Model 3-8.5 to 10 hours at 220V, 1 hour at 440V
- Model Y-11.5 to 11.8 hours at 220V
- Model X-14 hours at 220V, 0.75 hours at 440V
- Model S-15 hours at 220V, 0.75 hours at 440V
So, if you use a level one or even level two charger for your Tesla, it could take overnight to fully charge (or charge to 80-90%).
Additionally, if you can access a Supercharger, this will cut down your car’s average charge time to around an hour.
How Much Does It Cost To Charge A Tesla?
Depending on the battery capacity of a Tesla, this can impact how much it costs to charge it. However, for most Teslas, it costs between $9.62 to $18.30 to fully charge one.
Teslas use a unique charging adapter, although you can use a J1772 adapter to charge at most EV charging stations.
Here are some estimates based on a driver going 50 miles each day in their Tesla:
- Model S – $1.94 per day
- Model 3 – $1.73 per day
- Model X – $2.28 per day
- Model Y – $1.94 per day
One thing to mention is that these figures are based on at-home charging and the national average for residential energy being $0.14 per kilowatt-hour.
You might also be able to charge your car for free at public EV stations, so to save money each week: heading to one might be a better choice. As we covered, there are charging stations at many malls, hotels, restaurants, and public spaces for drivers on the road.
How Do I Know My Tesla Is Done Charging?
One of the easiest ways to tell your Tesla is done charging is to look at the charge port. During the charge, this port will have a pulsing green light.
Your car’s port will be green with no pulse when it is done charging. Think of this as the Tesla charging port turning solid green rather than flashing. Tesla also mentions the frequency at which the green charge port light pulses slows as the charge level approaches full.
You should also check the charging status on your Tesla app, which is the fastest way to see real-time stats for your vehicle.
Our Verdict
Whether you have owned a Tesla before or this is your first time with one: charging it is essential.
On top of that, a Supercharger is generally the best way to quickly charge a Tesla, as it takes anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour to give your car an almost-full charge.
Regardless, you can plug your car in overnight at home or charge during the day at work or school.
You may be wondering if you can charge Tesla in the rain, have a look at our page!