When it comes to electric cars, Tesla has paved the way and brought us some of the most sought-after electric vehicles on the market.
A Tesla can be a sense of status for those with the budget, a sense of accomplishment, or their dream car finally parking on their drive.
With electric cars, the question often arises, how long does it take to charge?
We all want to do our bit for the planet, and electric vehicles seem the way forward, but who wants a car that spends more time charging than on the road? We already have that issue with our phones!
Well, before you buy your Tesla, let us answer the question: how long does it take to charge a tesla?
The quick answer is that it will depend on the battery size and the Tesla model you have. The tesla comes with either a 60kWh lithium-ion battery or an 85kWh unit.
There are some cases where the Model S has more than one charger, impacting the charging time. Let’s take a closer look at some of these models now.
60 KWh vs. 85KWh battery
If there is a 60kWh battery in your Tesla, you are looking at a range of 232 miles before you would need to recharge the battery. The larger 85kWh unit will offer a 300-mile range.
The extra miles will cost you a lot more than the 60kWh battery, though; it’s worth considering the cost when making the decision.
At home?
The time it takes your Tesla to charge will also depend on the charging point you are using. The time will change; depending on the model and the charger, it can take anywhere from 2.5 hours to 13 hours.
When you get your Tesla, you will be given a mobile charging cord and three adapters. One of these is for Tesla charging stations, except for superchargers, the other for a 240-volt wall outlet and a standard 120V outlet. These adapters will work for all Model X and S Teslas.
The charging system you use will impact the time it takes to charge at home and the voltage you are operating on. The NEMA 5-15, for example, is the slowest system you can get and is only suitable for overnight use as you only get 3 miles per hour.
The NEMA 14-50 is similar to what you use in a clothes dryer and works with a 240V outlet. You will be able to charge a Model S in a few hours and up to 10 and a half hours for the Model X.
It is worth speaking to an electrician if you want to upgrade your home charging unit. Doing so can get you a 6-10 hour time window for a full recharge of your Tesla.
If you are unsure, the following table can help, where we have used the JuiceBox Pro to show you the charging times:
|
Model and Year |
Max charge rate |
Battery capacity |
Charge time on L1 |
Charge time with JuiceBox Pro 40 |
Charge time with JuiceBox Pro 80 |
Range |
|
Model 3 2019 (performance, long-range) |
11.5kW |
75kWH, 62kWh |
28 hours |
8hrs |
7hrs |
310 miles |
|
Model 3 2019 (standard range) |
7.7kW |
50kWh |
22 hrs |
8hrs |
8hrs |
240 miles |
|
Model S 2019 (long-range) |
11.5kW |
~100kWh |
53 hours |
12 hours |
11 hours |
370 miles |
|
Model S 2019 (Performance) |
11.5kW |
~100kWh |
49 hours |
12 hours |
10 hours |
345 miles |
|
Model X 2019 (Long Range) |
11.5kW |
~100kWh |
65 hours |
13 hours |
11 hours |
325 miles |
|
Model X 2019 (Performance) |
11.5kW |
~100kWh |
61 hours |
12 hours |
10 hours |
305 miles |
|
Model Y (RWD) |
11.5kW |
75kWh |
43 hours |
9 hours |
7 hours |
300 miles |
|
Model Y (Dual Motor) |
11.5kW |
75 kWh |
40 hours |
8 hours |
6 hours |
280 miles |
|
Roadster (2011) |
16.8kW |
53kWh |
41 hours |
5 hours |
2.5 hours |
244 miles |
As you can see, the extra power that comes from the JuiceBox Pro 80 can reduce the time it takes to charge your car significantly. There are also other charging boxes on the market, similar to JuiceBox, which will reduce the time.
Always make sure that it is compatible with your car and the wall plug you are using.
In public?
The charging times in public places will vary based on the charger you are hooked up to. Look out for superchargers (we’ll get onto those shortly) if your car is configured for them, as they can reduce the charging time drastically.
Generally, you will get a rate of 22 miles per hour charging, which should allow you to recharge adequately while your car is parked. When charging your car in public, make sure that you are keeping it locked also.
These days in all states, electric charging in public costs less than gas, so even though Tesla is an expensive purchase, you can wind up saving money in the long run!
Superchargers?
For those who simply don’t want to wait, Tesla introduced V3 Supercharging in March this year. The supercharger is designed to charge faster than any other electric vehicle on the market.
These supercharging stations charge up to 150kW distributed between two cars. They boast a maximum of 150kW per car, depending on the version.
The time is impressive; within 20 minutes, you will be at 50% battery, 40 minutes to 80%, and in as little as 75 minutes, your car will be up to 100% battery. These readings were taken with an 85kWh Model S Tesla.
Final Word
As you can see, no one answer fits all for this question. The time it takes to charge a Tesla will vary depending on the model you have, the charger you have, and the voltage if you are charging from home.
It is worth looking into a supercharger for those after a quick charge if your budget will allow for it. Otherwise, higher voltage chargers will help to reduce the time it takes to charge your Tesla.
Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from a few hours to overnight for your Tesla to recharge and be ready to hit the road again.
Be sure to check the battery and the car’s model to know how long it will take to charge accurately.
Happy electronic motoring!
With an easy-to-understand and no-nonsense style, Michael writes to educate readers who are considering their first EV purchase or those looking to get the most fun and value out of their Tesla, Leaf, Volt or other electric vehicle.
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