How Long Does It Take to Fully Charge a Tesla?

The time it will take to fully charge your Tesla car depends on several factors and those factors is what I will be talking about in this article.

Make sure you read this article to the end because it’s will help you plan your charging need and time more better.

Factors That Affects Tesla Charging Time

I will be talking about major factors that affect how long it takes for a Tesla car to fully charge. These factors includes battery size, type of charger, temperature, energy lost, etc.

Tesla Battery Sizes

The first factor that determines how long it takes for your Tesla to fully charge is the battery. The larger the battery, the longer it takes to charge full.

Different Tesla models has different battery sizes. For example, Tesla Model S has a premium sedan with battery size between 75 kWh and 100 kWh, model 3 battery ranges from 54 to 82 kWh, model X battery is similar to that of model S while model Y has similar battery to Model 3.

Charging a Model S with a 100 kWh battery will take more time to full than Model 3 with 54 kWh battery. That’s how battery size affects the charging time.

Type of Charger

Another thing that affects how long your charging can take to fully charge is the type of charger you are using to charge. There are three main types of chargers you can use to charge your Tesla.

Level 1 charger which is the standard home outlet has 120 volts. Charging your Tesla with this type of charger will take 3 – 5 days for it to fully charge. It added 2 to 5 miles of range per hour.

Level 2 charger has 240 volts. It’s usually installed at home and public charging stations. If you are using this type of charger to charge your Tesla it will take 7 – 12 hours to get your Tesla to 100%. It is perfect for overnight charging.

Tesla Supercharger is the fastest charger available at Tesla’s charging stations. If you are charging your Tesla with Supercharger it takes between 1-2 hours to charge your Tesla from 0 to 100% depending on your battery size. With this kind of charger you can get 200 miles of range in about 15 minutes.

State of Charge

I have noticed that if you are charging from 10% to 80% is very fast than charging from 80% to 100%. I don’t know if you have also noticed it.

Temperature

Charge during extreme cold or hot weather can slow down your charging time. That’s why I always advice Tesla owners to always precondition their Tesla battery before charging. It’s good for the battery and also improves your charging time.

Energy Loss

Another factor that affects your Tesla charging time is energy loss during charging. This is mostly caused by heat and other factor. It doesn’t really affect charging time that much.

How to Optimize Your Tesla Charging

Adjusting your charging habit can improve your battery life and make it last longer. It can also improve your charging time and your Battery Management System (BMS). Below are some things you can start doing today that can make a difference.

• Install a level 2 charger at home, this is the best option for your dialy charging. It saves time and also ensures that your car is ready to use very morning.
• Don’t use Superchargers always as it can degrade your battery. Superchargers are best for road trips, please use it wisely for the sake of your battery.
• If you want to save money, charge your Tesla during off-peak times. Many electricity providers offer discounts during that time.
• Always keep your battery between 20 to 80%, avoid charging it to 100% unless you are in need of full range. This will help prolong your battery life.
• I always advice Tesla car owners to always precondition their cars before charging in cold weather. It improves charging efficiency. You can easily do that from your Tesla app.

How long does it take to charge a Tesla at a Supercharger?

Charging a Tesla car at a Tesla Supercharger takes about 15 minutes to add 200 miles of range. 1 to 2 hours to charge to 100% if you are charging from 0%. The time depends on your battery size.

Can I charge my Tesla with a regular outlet?

Yes, but charging with standard 120V outlet is very slow. It can takes 3 days and above to fully charge your Tesla car.

How much does it cost to charge a Tesla?

I wrote a full article on how much it cost to charge a Tesla car. The cost of charging a Tesla car depends on your electricity rates for home chargers or the type of charger you are using for Superchargers and public chargers. Home charging is cheaper than when you are charging at a Tesla Superchargers.

Is it bad to leave my Tesla plugged in?

No, It’s safe to leave your car charging overnight. Tesla system handles the flow of energy for a long time that’s why if you set your charging limit to 80% it won’t exceed it. Once it reaches that level it will stop charging.

If you have any questions or want to share your own Tesla charging tips, feel free to leave a comment below.