How Long Does It Take To Charge a Tesla: Complete Guide

“How long does it take to charge a Tesla?” This is one of the first questions that new and prospective Tesla owners ask. The switch from traditional gas-powered cars to electric often hinges on the convenience of charging compared to filling up at a gas station. So, whether you’re a new Tesla owner or considering an EV, take a look at this complete guide to learn all about your Tesla charging options. 

How Long Does It Take to Charge a Tesla: Model S, X, Y, and 3

How long it takes to charge a Tesla, or any EV for that matter, depends largely on the type of charger in use. So, before breaking down the average charging times for each Tesla model, it is worth knowing a bit about the two most common types of EV chargers: level one and level two. 

Types of Tesla Chargers

How long does it take to charge a tesla from empty? Level one chargers provide 120 volts of power while level two chargers provide 240 volts. Charging any Tesla to 100% on a level one charger can take over 20 hours. That’s why most Tesla owners use a type of level two charger at home, Tesla’s wall connector, which can charge most Teslas to 100% overnight. Tesla supercharger stations are level three chargers, capable of charging a Tesla to 100% in just 15 to 25 minutes. 

Charging Times for Different Tesla Models

If you’re wondering, “how long does it take to charge a Tesla”, you’ll need to start by looking at the specific model. As of 2022, there are four main Tesla EVs: the Model S, the Model X, the Model Y, and the Model 3. Each model has a slightly different battery configuration, particularly when comparing long range and standard range models. Long range Teslas have a larger battery capacity, which does come in handy but also requires slightly more charging time. 

On average, all Tesla models take about 8 to 9 hours to charge to 100% from a standard home wall connector. All Teslas can be charged to full or nearly full in around 30 minutes at a Tesla supercharger station. Additionally, all Teslas charge at a rate of about 3 miles per hour on level one 120 volt chargers. 

Times vary more for level two 240 volt charging stations. The Model 3 and Model Y, Tesla’s two newer models, have the best charging times in this category. On average, the Model 3 takes about 8 to 12 hours to fully charge at a 240 volt charging station. The Model Y takes slightly longer at about 11 to 12 hours for a full charge. The Model X and Model S both need about 18 hours to fully charge at 240 volt charging stations. 

Where to Charge Your Tesla

Most people have a lot of important questions to consider when considering investing in a Tesla. How long does it take to charge a Tesla? How far does a single charge last? Where do you charge a Tesla? These are all great questions to have in mind when you’re switching to a Tesla EV from a conventional gasoline-powered car. After all, accessibility is a top charging concern for EV owners. 

Luckily, charging your Tesla is much more convenient today than it used to be. Charging stations are becoming more common all over the country, so you have a few different options for charging your Tesla. 

Home Charging

The easiest and most cost-effective way to charge your Tesla is at home. When you purchase a Tesla, you get an option to purchase a wall connector charger for your home (or indoor assigned parking for apartment dwellers). The wall charger can fully charge your Tesla overnight in most cases. Plus, the wall charger is usually the least expensive way to charge your Tesla. 

Superchargers

You may have already seen Tesla superchargers while out and about. The Tesla supercharger map has expanded over recent years with superchargers becoming common around a lot of shopping centers. For instance, you can often find supercharger stations at Target parking lots. 

Superchargers are a super convenient way to fill up your Tesla’s battery. How long does it take to charge a Tesla at a supercharger? While you’re doing your grocery shopping, just leave your Tesla plugged in at the supercharger and your battery will probably be full by the time you return. Superchargers can usually fully charge a Tesla in about half an hour. 

It is worth noting that you shouldn’t use superchargers on a daily basis, convenient as they may be. These quick chargers can be bad for your car’s battery if used too often. It is a bit like using a quick charger for your phone too often. Eventually, it will start to degrade the maximum capacity of your battery. 

Destination Charger Stations

In addition to superchargers, Tesla also has destination charging stations all around the US. Destination chargers use a lower-powered, slower charging method that is more economical and easier on your car’s battery. These chargers are found at places like hotels, where you’re likely to leave your car parked for extended periods of time. Destination chargers are generally level one chargers, so expect a charging rate of about 3 miles per hour. 

How Much Does it Cost to Charge a Tesla?

In the United States, average electricity costs hover around $0.15 per Kilowatthour (kWh). Tesla batteries can get 1 – 3 miles out of one kWh, so with a typical range of 234 miles, you’ll spend roughly $12 – $35 to fully charge a Tesla. You might pay more or less depending on where you live and how far your car can drive on a single charge. 

Are tesla charging stations free? Destination chargers are usually free to use, but Superchargers aren’t. While you used to be able to charge at Superchargers for free, Tesla now charges for them. Only people who bought EVs before the cutoff date were grandfathered in. 

When you buy a Tesla, you still save money no matter what method you use to fill up. The U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy says you save $3,000 – $10,500 over your vehicle’s life span on fuel costs. Owning an EV is much more cost-effective than driving a conventional gas-powered car. 

What Is the Cheapest Way to Charge a Tesla?

At-home wall chargers are usually the most cost-effective ways to charge a Tesla. These can have a high installation cost, but charging will be very affordable. Homeowners who install solar panels and energy storage systems will save the most. 

Tesla charging stations sometimes cost more than wall chargers. Most destination stations are level one chargers, which can take up to 20 hours to fully recharge a battery. They are typically free to use, but they aren’t as convenient as home chargers. Calculating the price of charging at Superchargers is more complicated. 

Do You Have to Pay to Use Tesla Superchargers?

You do have to pay to use Tesla supercharger stations, but it will likely be much less expensive than paying for gas. Data from the past few years shows that the price of electricity has remained well below the price of gas and has fluctuated much less. So, you can reliably assume that you’ll be able to top off your Tesla for about $25 at a supercharger station, though that average may vary slightly based on local electricity rates. 

Another cost to keep in mind is the idle fees. When you charge at a Supercharger station that’s at 50% capacity, you have to pay $0.50 per minute if your battery is above the congestion fee level. The fee doubles to $1.00 per minute if the station is completely full. Tesla charges different amounts based on location, but it’s generally no more expensive than $1.00 per minute.

Conveniently, Tesla superchargers will automatically charge the payment method connected to your Tesla account so you don’t need to input any info at the charging station. You can just plug in and go. This is not the case with non-Tesla charging stations. 

Can You Charge a Tesla at Non-Tesla Chargers?

“How long does it take to charge a Tesla” is one of the first questions new and prospective Tesla owners ask. However, it is just as important to consider absolutely everywhere that you can charge a Tesla. This is particularly true for those living in the middle of the U.S., areas with fewer Tesla supercharging stations, and anyone looking to take their Tesla on a road trip. 

Teslas aren’t the only EVs on the road, so it only makes sense that Tesla charging stations aren’t the only ones out there. Can you charge a Tesla at a non-Tesla charging station, though? The answer is yes, but come prepared. 

In the US, the J1772, or J-type, plug is the standard for most consumer EVs, besides Tesla, which uses a proprietary plug. So, most non-Tesla charging stations you find on the road will have a J-type plug. You can still charge your Tesla at these charging stations, though. You’ll just need to keep an adapter handy. Tesla offers a certified J-type adapter that is fairly affordable. It’s a good idea to keep one of these in your trunk (or frunk) just in case you need to use a non-Tesla charging station.

How to Maximize Battery Life With a Tesla

Eventually, a Tesla’s battery will begin to degrade and lose some of its charging capacity. Most batteries last 10 – 20 years, which can get you between 100,000 – 300,000 total miles. In this time, you could lose up to 30% of your battery’s energy storage. You can keep charging your Tesla, though. You’ll just have to fill up more frequently. 

How long does it take to charge a tesla when the battery is older? The time it takes to charge an EV ranges from 15 minutes to 20 hours. A Supercharger station should still fully recharge your battery in 30 minutes or less, but level one and level two chargers will take much longer. You should expect to add a few hours to the average charging times once your car gets older. 

You can make your Tesla’s battery last longer if you take care of it. Keeping it out of extreme hot or cold temperatures and charging it efficiently will increase its lifespan. You also want to avoid fully draining and overcharging it. Recharging it when it’s at 20% instead of completely empty and only filling it to 80% of its total capacity will keep it from degrading for longer.

How Long Does It Take To Charge a Tesla: The Complete Charging Guide

Investing in a Tesla is often a great choice, considering that Teslas are the most popular EVs in the world with a fantastic user experience. If you’re wondering how to dive into the EV world or asking how long does it take to charge a Tesla, you’re not alone. Switching to an EV can be a little intimidating at first. Luckily, there are plenty of spots to conveniently charge your Tesla all over the country today, so you can go electric worry-free.

This was originally published on 03/09/23. It was updated on 03/07/24 to provide more detailed information.