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What to know about Tesla charging at home

Knowing your charging options as a Tesla driver ensures efficient and convenient charging and better battery health for your electric car. Each level delivers different charging speeds, so it’s important that you know the right type of charger for your car model.

Different Tesla models have different maximum charge power they can accept. Choosing the right charger can help you lower costs in the long run. 

Tesla Home Charging Options

Most Tesla owners charge at home overnight. Tesla offers a $200 Mobile Connector that can be plugged into your standard three-prong, 120-volt outlet. It can give you around 2-3 miles of range per hour, which may be enough for short drives.

The Tesla Wall Connector provides the fastest EV charging speed for your home out of any Tesla charger. Wall Connectors use a dedicated 240-volt outlet, which can give you up to 44 miles of range per hour. These are the same type of chargers you'll see at a public Tesla charging station.

Portable chargers like the Lectron Portable Tesla Charger don't need to be hardwired into your home's electrical system like the Wall Connector. You can just plug it into the same 240-volt outlet you use for your dryer and start charging your vehicle at Level 2 (or plug into a 120-volt outlet for Level 1 charging).

The Tesla Supercharger is the fastest charging option when you're away from home, with up to 200 miles of range in 15 minutes. There are about 1,400 of these fast charging stations located on major thoroughfares nationwide, which are accessible 24/7. To find the nearest Supercharging locations, use the Tesla app and enter a destination. The Trip Planner will calculate your route and show Supercharger stall availability.

Tesla Home Charging Station Cost

The Tesla Mobile Connector is currently priced at $230 while the Wall Connector costs $425. If you're opting for the Wall Connector, you'll have to pay additional fees for the installation, which could range from $750 to $1,000.

Meanwhile, the Lectron Portable Tesla Charger is priced at $323.99. Since it has the NEMA 5-15 plug option, you won't need any additional wiring to charge your electric vehicle, making it perfect for use both at home and on the road.

If you prefer a hardwired home charging station, the Lectron VBOX is currently priced at $449.99 which has a maximum charging output of 46 mph at 11.52 kWh, and can fully charge your EV overnight.

Tesla vs non-Tesla chargers

Tesla Mobile Connector vs. Lectron Portable Tesla Charger

  • Cable Length - The Lectron Portable Tesla Charger has a longer charging cable (21 ft) than the Tesla Mobile Connector (20 ft)

  • Longer Handle - The Lectron Portable Tesla Charger has a longer handle and a molded strain relief to prevent the cable from breaking

  • Easy to Read LED Indicators - The Lectron Portable Tesla Charger provides a reference table directly embedded at the back of the charger for you to easily decode what the indicator lights mean

Tesla Wall Connector vs. Lectron V-BOX

  • Charging Speed - The Lectron V-BOX offers up to 46 miles of range per hour whereas the Tesla Wall Connector offers 44 miles

  • Cable Length - The Tesla Wall Connector has a longer charging cable (24 ft) than the Lectron V-BOX (20 ft)

  • LED Display - The Lectron V-BOX features an LED screen that lets you monitor critical information like real-time current, charging time, rated current, state of charge, and temperature while the Tesla Wall Connector only has an indicator light.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Tesla charger raise your electric bill?
Home charging costs will vary. For a Tesla Model 3 powered by a 62.3 kWh battery, expect to pay about $10.94 for a full charge.
Can any charger charge a Tesla?
Yes. There are J1772 to Tesla adapters that let Tesla EVs access Level 1 and Level 2 charging stations. Lectron has adapters that will let you connect your Tesla to J1722 chargers effortlessly. Lectron's J1772 to Tesla adapter supports 60 Amps of maximum current and 250V of maximum voltage. Before using any charger, make sure to find out the maximum amperage of your Tesla to avoid any issues. To do this, tap the lightning bolt icon on the touchscreen.
Can you plug a Tesla into a 220 outlet?
Yes. A Type C/F (220 – 240 V) adapter is included as standard equipment with all new Tesla cars. This can give you around 3 miles of range per hour depending on your Tesla model.
Can you charge a Tesla with a regular outlet?
Yes. Tesla comes with a NEMA 5-15 adapter that you can plug directly into your standard home outlet.
How long does it take to charge a Tesla?
The charging speed of your Tesla will ultimately depend on the charger's maximum amperage. Here are rough estimates according to charging method: Level 1 (120V): 20-40 hours Level 2 (Third party chargers/Tesla chargers/Tesla home charger): 8-12 hours Tesla Supercharger: 15-25 minutes
Can Tesla use EV chargers?
Yes. You can use a J1772 to Tesla adapter to charge your Tesla using Level 1 and Level 2 chargers. There's also the CCS to Tesla adapter that lets you charge at DC Fast charging stations nationwide.
How much is a charger for a Tesla?
Mobile Connector: $230 Wall Connector: $425 J1772 Wall Connector: $550
What type of charger does Tesla use?
Tesla uses a proprietary charger (also known as the NACS) that was previously only accessible to Tesla models. There are three types of chargers available for Tesla EVs: Mobile Connector Wall Connector Supercharger
Is charging a Tesla cheaper than gas?
Yes. Charging a Tesla is cheaper than gas. With current average gas price at $3.28 a gallon, it would cost around $45 to fill up a 12-gallon car tank. For a car that gets 30 miles of range per gallon, a full tank would give it 360 miles of range. Driving an average of 1,183 miles per month means having to refuel more than three times a month and spending around $144. In comparison, driving the same range with a Tesla would only cost about $59.15. That's a 40% increase!