The time it takes to charge a Tesla depends on several factors, including the type of charger used, the battery level of the vehicle, and the vehicle model. Here are some general estimates for the time required to charge a Tesla:
Home Charging:
Using a standard 120-volt household outlet (Level 1 charging):
adds about 3-4 miles of range per hour.
Using a 240-volt outlet (Level 2 charging):
adds about 20-30 miles of range per hour.
Using a Tesla Wall Connector (up to 48 amps):
adds about 44 miles of range per hour.
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.
Tesla home charging time
Depending on the model of Tesla an EV driver has and the type of Tesla charger they are using, charging a Tesla can take anywhere between six and twelve hours. The quickest charging time occurs within the battery’s sweet spot, which is usually between 20% and 80% of a full charge. For most Teslas, it only takes about an hour to charge from 40% to 80% on a 220V system, but another two hours to go from 80% to 100%. Due to the way ions in your car’s battery react to the shifts in electrical charge, the more ions that are charged inside the battery, the harder your Tesla car battery needs to work to seek out and charge the remaining few, greatly reducing the rate of charge as your battery nears capacity.
Destination Charging:
Tesla Destination Chargers (found at hotels, restaurants, etc.): provide similar charging speeds as a Tesla Wall Connector.
Supercharging:
Tesla Superchargers: can add up to 200-250 miles of range in about 15-30 minutes (depending on the charging station and the battery level of the vehicle).
It’s important to note that charging times can vary based on several factors, including outside temperature, battery age, and the number of other vehicles charging at the same time. Additionally, Tesla vehicles also have a variety of features that can help optimize charging times, such as scheduling charging for off-peak hours or preheating the battery before charging.