The amount of time it takes to charge a Tesla at a charging station depends on a few key factors:
Battery Size
Teslas come with different battery pack sizes depending on the model. The battery capacities are:
| Model | Battery Capacity |
|---|---|
| Model 3 | 50-82 kWh |
| Model S | 100 kWh |
| Model X | 100 kWh |
| Model Y | 50-82 kWh |
The larger the battery capacity, the longer it will take to charge.
Charger Type
There are different levels of electric vehicle chargers that supply varying amounts of power:
| Charger Type | Power Level |
|---|---|
| Level 1 (Slow) | 1.4 kW |
| Level 2 (Medium) | 3.3 kW – 19.2 kW |
| DC Fast Charge | 50 kW – 250 kW |
The higher the power level, the faster the charging speed. Most public chargers are DC fast chargers which can add hundreds of miles of range per hour.
State of Charge
If the battery already has a high state of charge when plugging in, it will take less time to top up. If the battery is close to empty, it will take much longer to charge fully. Charging slows down significantly after the battery reaches around 80% to prolong battery life.
Temperature
Cold temperatures can reduce both charging speed and battery capacity. In very cold conditions, charging times may be significantly longer.
Average Charging Times
Taking into account battery size, charger power, and state of charge, here are some rough estimates for how long it takes to charge a Tesla from various charging sources:
| Charger Type | Miles of Range Per Hour | Time to Charge 100 kWh Battery from 10% to 80% |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 3-5 miles | 40-60 hours |
| Level 2 | 10-25 miles | 11-27 hours |
| DC Fast Charger | 200-1,000 miles | 45 minutes – 1.5 hours |
As you can see, DC fast charging stations can charge a nearly empty battery to 80% in around an hour or less. But charging times also depend a lot on the specific charging station capabilities and battery state.
Tips for Faster Charging
Here are some tips to help reduce charging times:
- Use DC fast chargers when possible, they provide the fastest charging speeds.
- Only charge up to 80% for day-to-day use to avoid slower charging at high states of charge.
- Precondition the battery while driving to warm up the battery if it’s cold out.
- Use a higher powered Level 2 charger and keep it plugged in whenever parked.
- Upgrade to a 100 amp circuit for faster Level 2 charging if possible.
Conclusion
Charging time for a Tesla depends greatly on battery size, charger type, temperature, and current state of charge. With a large battery and DC fast charger, you can add hundreds of miles of charge in about an hour. Slower Level 2 chargers may take overnight to fully charge an empty battery. Following tips like preconditioning and only charging to 80% can help reduce typical charging times.
