Tesla Charging Made Easy: The First Steps in Charging your Tesla

The boom of electric vehicles, whether Teslas or electric options from other manufacturers, is rolling worldwide. In 2023 alone, 14 million electric cars were registered globally, according to the International Energy Agency, raising the total to 40 million. In 2024, this number will certainly increase with more registrations and first-time buyers.

In this rapidly growing market, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the changes coming compared to driving combustion engines at first. Especially the factors affecting charging efficiency are highly complex. Not only the power output, but also environmental influences such as outside temperature or battery temperature impact the efficiency of charging and battery life. That’s why we've put together a comprehensive guide to make it easier for you to start charging your new Tesla.

Different Charging Options for Tesla Owners

To answer the question, "How long does it take to charge a Tesla?" you first need to understand the context. As a Tesla driver, you have several options for charging your vehicle. Depending on your daily usage, there are different stations for charging that offer various charging speeds and prices. In general, it's recommended not to let the battery drop below 20% and not to charge above 80%, as those last 20% put extra strain on the battery. Therefore, we'll always refer to this range in the following.

Source: Tesla

Charging at Home

Charging at home is perhaps one of the most convenient benefits of an electric vehicle. With the help of the Mobile Connector, which can be purchased from the Tesla Shop, you can charge your Tesla at a regular household outlet. However, this takes up to 16 hours for a charge from 20% to 80% in a Model Y. With the help of an adapter and access to a blue CEE16 industrial socket, this charging speed can at least be reduced to 10 hours. However, the daily strain on household outlets required for charging a Tesla is not recommended and can even be somewhat risky.

A safer and faster alternative is a wall connector. Tesla offers an option for around €500, which significantly increases the charging speed with up to 11.5 kW. With this power, your Model Y can now charge from 20% to 80% in just a little over 3 hours. While this may not be the cheapest, it is definitely the fastest and safest option for charging at home.

Tesla Superchargers

Tesla Superchargers are Tesla’s own charging network. With over 50,000 Superchargers, it’s the largest charging network in the world. Depending on the version of the Superchargers, you can draw up to 150 kW, 250 kW, or even up to 350 kW at V4 Superchargers. With 250 kW power, a Model Y now only takes 17 minutes to charge from 20% to 80%. However, it also matters whether you need to share the Supercharger or whether you are charging alone. For example, if another vehicle is connected to the charging station linked to your column at a V2 Supercharger, you have to split the 150 kW.

The Charging Process: The Tesla Supercharger process is very simple. Once you have parked at the Supercharger, just open the charging port via your Tesla's display. After you plug in the connector, your Tesla will start communicating with the Supercharger, and the Tesla logo will blink blue. Once the light turns green, charging has begun. Now you can sit back and enjoy the onboard entertainment in your Tesla. Accessories for your Tesla can also enhance the experience, such as the wireless gaming controller from Jowua, designed for Teslas and fitting perfectly into the center console or on the charging pad, where you can prepare the controller for your next gaming session. That way, you'll always be ready to achieve high scores while relaxing in your Tesla.

Source: pixabay

On your Tesla’s screen, you can see the charging progress and how much longer it will take to charge. You can also view the charging costs here. Alternatively, all this information is available in your Tesla app. Once charging is complete, you will be notified. You should release the charging station as quickly as possible afterward, as idle fees will be charged otherwise.

Public Charging Stations

There’s also the option of public charging stations. These work similarly to those described above but are not optimized for Teslas. Therefore, you need to set up payment methods individually for each provider. Tesla navigation is not designed for public charging stations either. If you plan a longer route, it will only direct you to Superchargers; you would need to enter public charging stations manually. Like that, you will also need to manually precondition your battery for ideal charging conditions and increased efficiency, as your Tesla usually does it automatically once it knows its approaching a supercharger.

Costs

Many first-time owners wonder, "How much does it cost to charge a Tesla?" To answer this question, we did some research.

The cost of charging your Tesla varies depending on the day and time you charge. Recently, the price at Superchargers range around 0.11$ per kWh to 0.60$ per kWh. For a Tesla Model Y Long Range, the cost for charging from 20% to 80% would end up between 6.35$ and 34.61$. 

In general, it's worth it for Tesla drivers to primarily use Superchargers. Not only are they integrated into the Tesla ecosystem, but they are also cheaper for Tesla drivers. Using third-party providers usually ends up being more expensive than using Tesla Superchargers. Therefore, Superchargers are both cheaper and more convenient for Tesla drivers.

Entering the world of electric vehicles can be very exciting, especially when driving a Tesla. Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the process and established your charging routine, driving a Tesla becomes not only affordable but also very convenient. But Tesla offers many more benefits that you have yet to discover. To learn more about your Tesla and find interesting information, feel free to check out our other blogs. And if you've already noticed any shortcomings in your new Tesla and are looking for accessories such as organizers for your center console, feel free to visit our shop.