Hi there! As a fellow EV enthusiast, I wanted to provide a detailed look at what goes into charging a Tesla. Below you‘ll find key specs, charging estimates, and cost comparisons for all current Tesla models to help you understand the ins and outs of home charging or Supercharging this innovative electric vehicle.
Charging costs for a Tesla depend on five primary factors:
- Electricity rates ($/kWh)
- Battery size (kWh capacity)
- Charging speed (kW power)
- Charger type (Level 1, Level 2, Supercharger)
- Efficiency factors (temperature, accessories, driving style)
Understanding each variable will help you estimate the charging costs for any EV. In this guide we‘ll explore how they impact charging times and expenses for every vehicle Tesla offers.
The national average electricity rate is around 15 cents per kWh, but prices vary significantly by state. For example rates in California average over 22 cents while Iowa is closer to 12 cents per kWh. Some utilities also charge different rates at peak and off-peak times. If costs have risen in your area, charging expenses will too.
The larger the battery capacity, the more energy and range it can hold. Compare the base Model 3 with a 60.5 kWh battery to the extended range version with 82 kWh. That extra 21.5 kWh translates to 80 more miles of range. But it also means higher charging costs.
Faster charging puts more strain on the battery. While Level 1 tops out around 1.4 kW, a Tesla Supercharger can deliver over 250 kW for incredibly fast charging. That extreme power shortens overall charge times, but uses more electricity in the process.
Not all chargers are equal, and cost isn‘t always aligned with speed…
- Level 1 – Standard 120V household outlet
- 1-5 mph charge rate
- Limited to 1.4 kW
- Lowest cost
- Level 2 – Dedicated 240V charger
- 10-30 mph charge rate
- Up to 19.2 kW
- Much faster than Level 1
- Supercharger – Tesla‘s network of DC fast chargers
- 75-150+ mph charge rate
- Up to 250 kW
- Enables long distance travel
- Pay per use based on kWh
Driving style, accessories, and ambient temperature all impact how efficiently an EV uses its charge. Aggressive acceleration may be fun but can reduce range by 20% or more per charge. Running heat or A/C also decreases efficiency. In extreme cold, range can be halved. Hot weather with AC can cut range 20-40% depending on settings.
Now let‘s see how these variables affect charging times and costs for each Tesla model…
Performance specs for all Model 3 versions:
| Version | Battery | Range | 0-60 mph |
|---|---|---|---|
| RWD | 60.5 kWh | 272 mi | 5.8 s |
| Performance | 78.1 kWh | 315 mi | 3.1 s |
| Long Range | 82 kWh | 353 mi | 4.2 s |
Cost to Charge from 0-100%
Based on the average US electricity rate of $0.15 per kWh:
- RWD: 60.5 kWh $0.15 per kWh = $9.07*
- Performance: 78.1 kWh $0.15 per kWh = $11.71*
- Long Range: 82 kWh $0.15 per kWh = $12.30*
Charge Times by Charger Type
| Charger Type | RWD | Performance | Long Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 30 hours | 44 hours | 48 hours |
| Level 2 (240V) | 6 hours | 8 hours | 9 hours |
| Supercharger | 53 min | 1 hour | 1 hour |
Clearly a Level 2 home charger or Supercharger is essential to making an EV viable! Who wants to wait 30+ hours after all?
Performance specs for all Model S versions:
| Version | Battery | Range | 0-60 mph |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dual Motor | 103 kWh | 405 mi | 3.1 s |
| Plaid | 100 kWh | 396 mi | ~1.99 s |
Cost to Charge from 0-100%
- Dual Motor: 103 kWh $0.15 per kWh = $15.45*
- Plaid: 100 kWh $0.15 per kWh = $15.00*
Despite having a 3 kWh smaller battery, Plaid versions feature three motors allowing insane acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in under 2 seconds. But they sacrifice a bit of range to achieve such extreme performance.
Charge Times by Charger Type
| Charger Type | Dual Motor | Plaid |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 69 hours | 67 hours |
| Level 2 (240V) | 14 hours | 13 hours |
| Supercharger | 1 hr 7 min | 1 hr |
Performance specs for all Model X versions:
| Version | Battery | Range | 0-60 mph |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dual Motor | 100 kWh | 315 mi | 3.8 s |
| Plaid | 100 kWh | 333 mi | 2.5 s |
Costs to Charge from 0-100%
- Dual Motor: 100 kWh $0.15 per kWh = $15.00*
- Plaid: 100 kWh $0.15 per kWh = $15.00*
Charge Times by Charger Type
| Charger Type | Dual Motor | Plaid |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 67 hours | 67 hours |
| Level 2 (240V) | 13 hours | 13 hours |
| Supercharger | 1 hr | 1 hr |
Despite using the same 100 kWh battery, the Plaid edges out 18 more miles of range from improved powertrain efficiency.
The Model Y crossover SUV comes in two variants:
Performance Specs
| Version | Battery | Range | 0-60 mph |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Range | 78.1 kWh | 330 mi | 4.8 s |
| Performance | 78.1 kWh | 303 mi | 3.5 s |
Cost to Charge from 0% to 100%
- Long Range: 78.1 kWh $0.15 per kWh = $11.71*
- Performance: 78.1 kWh $0.15 per kWh = $11.71*
Despite having the same size battery, the Performance version sacrifices range to achieve 0-60 mph a full 1.3 seconds faster than the Long Range.
Charge Times by Charger Type
| Charger Type | Long Range | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 52 hours | 52 hours |
| Level 2 (240V) | 10 hours | 10 hours |
| Supercharger | 48 min | 48 min |
To put EV charging costs in perspective, let‘s compare gallons of gas to kWh of electricity used. The average mpg across light-duty US vehicles is around 25 mpg.
- An equivalent 25 mpg gas car would use 13.2 gallons to travel 330 miles. At $4 per gallon, that‘s $52.80 in fuel.
- The Model 3 Long Range requires 82 kWh for 330 miles. At $0.15 per kWh, it takes just $12.30 of electricity.
Over 75% cheaper "fuel" costs make a compelling case for switching to electric. And that‘s before factoring other savings like reduced maintenance costs.
Installing a higher amperage Level 2 charger enables faster overnight charging. While specific hardware, electrical panel capacity, permits and labor impact exact pricing, typical costs fall in the $750 to $1500 range. Home charging saves money over public rates and ensures waking up to a full charge.
Potential rebates can reduce costs too:
- Federal tax credit: 30% of hardware/installation costs, up to $1000
- State/local incentives: Vary by location, up to $800
- Utility company rebates: Some offer $250 to $500
When tallying lifetime savings compared to gas vehicles, most analyses show Tesla owners come out way ahead in the long run.
With so many factors impacting charging speeds, costs and range, there‘s a lot more complexity to EVs than gas cars. But the electric future offers huge advantages over traditional vehicles when it comes to performance, high-tech features and “fuel” affordability. Hopefully breaking down charging specifics for each Tesla model shed some light on the economics of owning one of these amazing vehicles. Let me know if you have any other questions!
