How Long Does It Take to Charge a Tesla at Home

Electric vehicles, such as Teslas, are gaining popularity all over the world due to their performance, innovation, and eco-friendliness. However, one of the most common questions that a potential Tesla owner asks is: how long does it take to charge a Tesla at home? It all depends on various factors, such as the model of the Tesla, the type of charger, and the state of the automotive battery. This is a comprehensive guide that can help walk you through anything you might need to know about charging your Tesla at home. There’s so much to this, and it will really help make it optimized for efficiency and convenience.
By the end of this article, you’ll clearly understand how long it takes to charge a Tesla, and how you can fine-tune your charging configuration to meet your needs.

Understanding Tesla Home Charging Options

Before explaining in detail how long it take to charge a Tesla, first understand how many types of home charging options exist:

Level 1 Charging, also known as Standard Outlet

Source: A household 120-volt outlet
Speed: It adds 2-5 miles for each hour of charging.
Best for: Emergency charging or overnight charging if your daily drive is very low.

Level 2 Charging (240-Volt Outlet or Wall Connector)

Source: A 240-volt outlet or Tesla Wall Connector.
Speed: Attains around 25-40 miles of range for every hour of charging with appropriate amperage and on a Tesla model.
Good For: Nightly charging in such a way that the Tesla will be charged fully in the morning.

Solar Power Charging (Optional Integration)

Source: Connected home solar panel system using your Tesla Wall Connector
Speed: Similar to level 2, but utilizing free renewable energy.

Best For: Energy-conscious, sustainable-minded households.

Factors Affecting Tesla Charging Time

The time it takes to charge your Tesla at home depends on several factors:

Tesla Model

Tesla offers various models with different battery capacities and charging efficiencies. Larger batteries, such as those in the Tesla Model S or Model X, take longer to charge compared to smaller batteries like those in the Model 3 or Model Y.

State of Charge (SOC)

Charging a Tesla from 0% to 100% takes much longer than just topping off a battery that has some charge in it already. For everyday use most of the time, top-off charging between 20% and 80% is recommended to maintain long-term battery health and shorter charging times.

Charging Equipment

The type of charger makes all the difference in charging time. A Level 2 charger is much faster compared to a Level 1 charger.

Home Electrical System

The amperage of your home electrical system determines the amount of power your charger can supply. The higher amperage, the more speed will be achieved in charging.

Environmental Conditions

It may also depend on the temperature. Charging might be less efficient if the weather is extremely cold or hot, as the batteries will need to be cooled or heated.

Charging Times for Tesla Models by Charger Type

To understand how long it takes to charge a Tesla, let’s discuss this by Tesla model and charger type.

Tesla Model 3

Battery Capacity: 50-82 kWh depending on the trim.
Level 1 Charger: 40-80 hours to a full charge.
Level 2 Charger: 8-12 hours to fully charge.

Tesla Model Y

Battery Capacity: 75-82 kWh.
Level 1 Charger: 40-70 hours to fully charge
Level 2 Charger: 8-11 hours to fully charge

Tesla Model S

Battery Capacity: 100 kWh.
Level 1 Charger: 50-100 hours full charge
Level 2 Charger: 10-12 hours full charge

Tesla Model X

Battery Capacity: 100 kWh.
Level 1 Charger: 50-100 hours full charge
Level 2 Charger: 10-12 hours full charge

Cost of Charging a Tesla at Home

Although this is an article on how long it take to charge a Tesla, it’s also important to know how much it costs to charge at home. The cost depends on:

Electricity Rates: Check your local utility provider’s rates. Some regions offer lower rates during off-peak hours.
Battery Size: Larger batteries require more energy to charge, resulting in higher costs.
Peso charged: The frequent charging charges your overall electricity bill more.
On average, on-site, charging a Tesla model costs $10-$20 for a full charge using an owner’s electricity rate.

Savings Tips when Charging from Home

Charge your home in the shortest time as well as lowest cost as possible by doing the following:

Install Level 2 Charger

Installing a Tesla Wall Connector or any other Level 2 charging solution reduces the time taken to charge significantly. For example, Level 2 chargers can fill up the Tesla Model 3 overnight.

Charge When Electricity Is Cheap

Utility providers often provide cheaper electricity during off-peak hours. Schedule your Tesla’s charging session to start during such times using the Tesla app.

Avoid Charging to 100%

Unless you are going out to drive for hours, plug your Tesla up and give it 80-90%. This will save time having to wait for your car to top off the battery and also make the life of it long.

Inspection Your Charger

Maintain home charging by periodically inspecting cables and connections in use. A faulty charger would hinder you and endanger when in motion.