What could be the reason why most people do not want an electric car? Although there are varying reasons for the indifference, most people are skeptical about running out of battery power while on the road, especially during long trips.
Nevertheless, Tesla has continued to introduce new strategies to help dissolve their prospective customers' doubt. The introduction of the supercharger is one of those strategies.
So, how long does it take to charge a Tesla with a supercharger? You would like to own an EV from Tesla after understanding how fast the supercharger can be from this article.
How Long Does it Take to Charge a Tesla with a Supercharger?
Tesla ranks as the world's most famous electric vehicle manufacturer. However, the brand's popularity is yet to compel many people to develop any interest in owning a Tesla EV. The reason for the various excuses seems to sync.
The contemplations have hovered around the extent a driver can go with the electric car before needing a recharge. Most people fear being stranded on a trip, even though the EV manufacturer has extended the charging stations across various cities.
Although the charging stations' availability is a sign of hope, the big question is – how long does a driver have to wait to charge a Tesla battery fully? With the introduction of the supercharger, Tesla owners do not have to spend half the whole day waiting for a full charge anymore.
The supercharger is built with the capacity to charge a Tesla completely within 15 to 30 minutes. However, the charger's speed slows down around 80% until it attains 100% full charge to protect the battery from early damage. Typically, the Tesla charging time depends on the battery level at which you plug the EV into a charger.
How Long Does it Take to Charge a Tesla Model 3?
How long does it take to charge a Tesla? Generally, there are several charging methods/charger types with varying charging rates, which determine how fast the charger powers the Tesla battery until it attains full capacity.
Typically, the Model can be charged at home, work, or public locations. The charger type/level and time frame for the Model 3 are captured in this breakdown below:
Charger Type/Level | Charging Time |
NEMA 5-15 | 3 miles of range per hour |
NEMA 14-50 | 7 – 12 hours |
Wall connector | 6 – 8 hours |
Supercharger | 15 – 30 minutes |
How Long Does it Take to Charge a Tesla Model S?
The Model S also subscribes to using the NEMA 5-15, NEMA 14-50, Wall connector, and Superchargers. However, the charging methods determine how fast the car battery charges. It is a typical outlook on the charging time frame of the various chargers.
Charger Type/Level | Charging Time |
NEMA 5-15 | 3 miles of range per hour |
NEMA 14-50 | 15 – 18 hours |
Wall connector | 7 - 9 hours |
Supercharger | 15 - 30 minutes |
How Long Does it Take to Charge a Tesla Model X?
Like the Model 3 and S, the Model X can be powered (charged) by the NEMA 5-15, NEMA 14-50, Wall connector, and Supercharger.
However, the NEMA 5-15 is the slowest of all the chargers, while the supercharger ranks the fastest, with a charging time of less than an hour. Below is a clear expression of what to expect from the various chargers.
Charger Type/Level | Charging Time |
NEMA 5-15 | 3 miles of range per hour |
NEMA 14-50 | 15 - 18 hours |
Wall connector | 7 – 8 ½ hours |
Supercharger | 15 – 30 minutes |
How Long Does it Take to Charge a Tesla Model Y?
Again, the supercharger produces the fastest charging time for Tesla in the Model Y compared to other chargers. So, you don't have to wait the whole day charging with the Tesla supercharger if you own a Model Y. Meanwhile, the following are the charging time for the various chargers.
Charger Type/Level | Charging Time |
NEMA 5-15 | 3 miles of range per hour |
NEMA 14-50 | 11 – 12 hours |
Wall connector | 7 – 8 hours |
Supercharger | 15 - 25 minutes |
Why Level 2 Charging is the Best At-Home Option for Your Tesla?
Although the supercharger is the fastest Tesla EV charger, they come with some drawbacks. Generally, slow charging a battery is one of the ways to keep it healthy and protect it from early damage.
Charging your Tesla with a supercharger may be very fast; however, the fast charging degrades the battery's life, usually by 5% the first year and 1% every following year. However, it is natural for batteries to degrade as you continue to use and recharge them.
Therefore, Level 2 charging is recommended in most cases, especially as a home charging option. Level 2 chargers are designed with a power outlet of 240 volts, similar to those in clothes dryers and air conditioners.
The charger provides a faster charging rate than a Tesla level 1 charger, which has about 140 volts of power outlet. Level 2 charging provides about 14 – 35 miles of range per hour. In addition, the level 2 charger has the least degrading impact on your Tesla battery.
Finally, since you can't use a supercharger at home except at a Tesla recharge station, a level 2 charger would be best among other at-home charging options. However, a supercharger would do the job if you need to charge as a matter of an emergency.
FAQs
Do Tesla Superchargers charge 100%?
Yes! Tesla Superchargers charge up to 100% full. However, the charging capacity is designed to reach 80% from 0% at a high-speed rate during uninterrupted charging. After that, the charging rate is reduced to help protect the health of the battery until the battery reaches 100%.
If you desire a 100% charge because of a long travel distance, ensure to spare some time to get a full battery charge. However, you don't need a 100% charge for regular commuting.
How much does it take to charge a Tesla at a supercharger?
Charging a Tesla at a Supercharger costs $0.25 per KW, primarily for Model X or Model S purchased after January 2017. Whereas Tesla EVs purchased before January 2017 have the opportunity to enjoy free supercharging.
The cost of supercharging applies to a wide range of Tesla EVs, including the Model 3. So, if you need to charge your Tesla Model 3 or S, consider the Tesla supercharger time and the cost.
Should I charge my Tesla every night?
Charging your Tesla every evening will enable you to top off the battery charge for the next day's use. Meanwhile, it is advisable to keep the battery charge to around 90% complete for regular trips daily. This is best for everyday commuting within your city. But it is not mandatory to charge Tesla every night.
However, long trips from one city to another may require a long time to charge a Tesla battery, up to 100% depending on the charger.
How far can a Tesla go fully charged?
Tesla currently offers up to 375 miles on a full charge. However, the distance attainment is partly a function of your driving condition. The car is built to adjust to individual driving conditions.
In other words, while one Tesla car can go a certain far distance on a full charge, another Tesla of the same Model may not attain a similar distance on a full charge due to the car owner's driving style.
How long will a Tesla battery last?
According to the Tesla boss – Elon Musk, a Tesla battery lasts up to around 300,000 – 500,000 miles. That is approximately 22 – 37 years, based on the Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration statistics.
As of May 2022, the Department of Transportation revealed that the average American drives about 13,476 miles yearly. While the males go an average of 16,550 miles, the females drive 10,142 miles a year.
Are Tesla Superchargers free?
Tesla EV charging with superchargers was free at a time, especially during the period when the company was expanding its customer base. However, Tesla does not offer to supercharge for free anymore with new car purchases.
However, Tesla announced free supercharging during high travel periods during the off-peak time. The free supercharging was scheduled for after 6:00 PM and before 9:00 AM in specific Tesla charging stations, respectively.
Conclusion
Although there are several charging options for Tesla EV, using the most appropriate charger for your Tesla will not only charge the battery fast but also retain its health.
So, if you were wondering, "How long does it take to charge a Tesla with a supercharger?" Ensure to find out the pros and cons of using a supercharger. Otherwise, you may want to stick to using a relatively fast charger with the ability to minimize your EV's battery damage rate.
If you're concerned about the speed of an electric car's charger, using a Tesla supercharger is perfect because of its high speed.