How Long Does it Take To Charge A Tesla and How Much Does it Cost?

Electric vehicles (EVs) are the future - there’s no denying that. That future, one without many of the harmful environmental effects of tailpipe emissions, is largely thanks to one manufacturer: Tesla.

First-time EV buyers are flocking to the California-based all-electric luxury brand as it expands its lineup from $100,000 sedans and SUVs to more affordable and pedestrian cars and pickup trucks. But with that mass exodus from fossil fuels, consumers may not know things such as how long does it take to charge your Tesla or how much it costs.

Thankfully, you have The Drive’s crack informational team which has covered the automotive industry’s newest titan for years and knows just how long it takes and how much it’s going to cost you. Aren’t you grateful for friends like us?

Tesla’s charge times vary primarily based on the type of charger the owner is using. Here’s a brief breakdown of the types of chargers available for Tesla’s lineup and roughly how long it takes for a Tesla to charge.

The simplest form of EV charging, Level 1 chargers have a standard, three-prong household plug on one end and a connector on the other end that plugs into the vehicle.

These chargers, which are usually portable and do not require installation by an electrician, dispense electricity at a wall outlet’s normal 120-volt rate. 

A handful of EV manufacturers and third-party providers offer quicker-charging 240-volt units. Residential Level 2 chargers are usually installed by an electrician and require a dedicated 40-amp circuit. Level 2 chargers can also be found in public places such as parking lots, offices, and other commercial locations. 

The Tesla Supercharger network uses a proprietary 480V direct-current system. Tesla’s Supercharger network only works with Tesla vehicles.

It’s also helpful to understand that each Tesla model has its own charge-time lengths. Here’s a rundown of those individual charge times. 

Tesla’s Model 3 is its attempt at a mass-market compact sedan.

Tesla’s Model Y is its attempt at a mass-market compact crossover.

Tesla’s Model X is the brand’s mid-size luxury SUV.

Tesla’s Model S is the brand’s mid-size luxury sedan.

Level 1 Charger: 27 hours

Level 2 Charger: 15 hours

Level 3 Charger: 30 minutes

Though you can make deposits for the upcoming Cybertruck pickup, Roadster 2.0 sports car, and full-size semi-truck, you can’t physically touch any of them yet. Nor is it known what sort of charge times each will feature. However, using what we do know about each, we can estimate each vehicle’s charge time.

We used consumer-supplied charge times of the above models, as well as Tesla-supplied estimates to estimate the charge times. These will obviously depend greatly on the finished products, so take this with a grain of salt.

Tesla’s upcoming Cybertruck is the brand’s attempt at an electric pickup.

The very first Tesla was the Roadster. The Roadster 2.0 is the upcoming next generation. 

Tesla’s Semi is the brand’s forthcoming semi tractor-trailer meant to disrupt the long-haul trucking industry.

A. Using a Level 1 or Level 2 charger to charge your Tesla at home will cost about $15-$18 based on an average of $0.14 per kWh,. Keep in mind, this cost will depend on your state’s electricity pricing, time of day, and how much you charge. 

A. If you already have a solar-powered charging station, then you’ve already incurred the cost of installation and parts,meaning you won’t pay anything to charge your Tesla. However, if you haven’t installed a system, you’ll likely need to fork over a few thousand dollars to install one. 

A. You’ll likely want to charge your Tesla whenever possible using a method called top-up charging. This ensures that, even if you have a lot of range left, you’ll never be left with a fully depleted battery. The best way to do this is to immediately plug in your Tesla when you get home.

Although conventional gasoline pumps have a predetermined flow rate, which can be somewhat affected by the number of cars fueling up, a charger’s rate is subject to a great many more variables that affect how quickly its EV juice is dispensed.

Here are some variables that affect an electric car’s charge speed:

Colder temperatures affect a battery’s electrochemical reactions, thus charge speeds will slow as the mercury drops. Likewise, range is affected negatively by cold weather. 

The type of charger (see above) determines whether you’re in for a  quick pit-stop or a long lunch.

Generally, the more EVs connected to a charging station the slower the charge rate.

EVs are offered with a variety of battery sizes; the capacity of an EV’s battery (measured in kilowatt-hours) determines how quickly it charges. For example, the Tesla Model S and Model X are available with a high-capacity 100-kWh battery, while the base-model Hyundai Kona’s battery is 39.2 kWh. 

A fully depleted battery will charge slower than a half-full battery. To ensure a battery’s longevity, an EV’s battery management system will retard the flow to protect the battery.

Depending on where you live, power delivery could be affected by the time of day you charge your EV. Peak usage hours may slow a charger’s rate as more electricity is drawn from the grid.

Siemens VersiCharge VC30GRYU

Zencar Level 1 with NEMA 5-15 Plug

Juicebox Pro40 Smart EV Charger

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