Can I Charge My Tesla At Home

Whats Better To Drive In A Hurricanegas Or Electric

Posted on October 07, 2022by Charles Morris

In the wake of Hurricane Ian, were hearing the same old song from the anti-EV crowd: Just think how it would be if everyone in Florida had an electric carboy, would they be !

Above: A truck driving on a flooded road. Photo: Wade Austin Ellis / Unsplash

Were not so sure about that. I just went through the process of evacuating, returning home, and helping friends with hurricane cleanup, and had a good opportunity to contemplate the pros and cons of driving electric in a disaster.

Its true that power tends to go out in a hurricane, which on the face of it, sounds like a mark against EVsif you cant charge, you cant go. But consider the usual sequence of events. Electrical power goes out after a cane, whereas gas often becomes difficult or impossible to get before the event, and usually remains so for some time after.

For getting out of Dodge as the well-worn saying goes, an EV is likely to be a better bet. Even if youre stuck in traffic on the way to the shelter, you wont be much better off in a gas car. EVs dont idle, so if youre not moving, youre not using energy, except to run the AC or heater.

So, you got out of Dodge, having dodged a bullet, and now youre heading back home to clean up and help your neighbors who hunkered down. How you gonna charge?

How Much Does Charging At A Supercharger Cost

Like with home charging, pricing varies. But Supercharging will be more expensive than charging at home. There are added taxes and fees. Some stations charge per minute in tiers depending on the charge rate. And Tesla can charge an idle fee assessed for every minute your Tesla is hogging the cord and not charging.

Using a Cars.com estimate of about $0.30 per kWh for Supercharging, adding 100 miles of range to the Model 3 Long Range AWD would cost around $7.50. So a little over $15 for a full charge.

Some Teslas qualify for free unlimited Supercharging. Tesla can also offer free supercharging as part of referral bonus programs and promotions. Eligibility for free supercharging can be found through your Tesla account.

Expected Lifespan And Warranty

In most cases, battery backups come with longer warranties than standby generators. However, these warranties are measured in different ways.

Over time, battery backup systems lose the ability to hold a charge, much like phones and laptops. For that reason, battery backups include an end-of-warranty capacity rating, which measures how effective a battery will hold a charge by the end of its warranty period. In Tesla’s case, the company guarantees that the Powerwall battery should retain 70% of its capacity by the end of its 10-year warranty.

Some backup battery manufacturers also offer a “throughput” warranty. This is the number of cycles, hours or energy output that a company guarantees on its battery.

With standby generators, it’s easier to estimate lifespan. Good-quality generators can run for 3,000 hours, as long as they’re well maintained. Therefore, if you run your generator for 150 hours per year, then it should last about 20 years.

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Storing Power When Its Cheaper

To draw home power from their cars, EV owners need a bidirectional charger and an electric vehicle that is compatible with V2H. Bidirectional chargers are already commercially available, though some can add several thousand dollars to the price of the car.

A limited number of EVs on the market now are compatible with V2H, including the Ford Lightning, Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi Outlander. General Motors and Pacific Gas & Electric plan to test V2H charging in California in mid-2022 using multiple GM electric vehicles.

Some homeowners might hope to use their vehicle for what utility planners call peak shaving drawing household power from their EV during the day instead of relying on the grid, thus reducing their electricity purchases during peak demand hours. To do this, they might need to install special metering equipment that can control both the discharging of the vehicle battery and the flow of power from the grid to the home.

Peak shaving makes the most sense in areas where utilities have time-of-use electric pricing, which makes power from the grid much more expensive during the day than at night. A peak-shaving household would use cheap electricity at night to charge the EV battery and then store that electricity to use during the day, avoiding high electricity prices.

With Charger In The Garage

When the Electrical Service Panel is in the basement, the circuit is run from the panel through the basement into the garage. Then usually extended with conduit through the garage to the charger location. With an unfinished basement these installations are relatively straightforward. When the basement is finished, the installation can be more challenging, especially when the ceiling is finished with sheet rock. In those cases, the wire is fished where possible, run through unfinished areas and duct-work chases. The installation of access panels is also often required to access the garage.

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With charger in the garage

With charger in the garage

With charger in the garage

With charger in the garage

With charger in the garage

With charger in the garage

With charger in the garage

With charger in the garage

With charger in the garage

With charger in the garage

With charger in the garage

With charger in the garage

With charger in the garage

With charger in the garage

With charger in the garage

With charger in the garage

With charger in the garage

With charger in the garage

With charger in the garage

With charger in the garage

With charger in the garage

With charger in the garage

With charger in the garage

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Option #: Tesla Level 1 Home Charging

It seems appropriate to put the most basic Level 1 charging option at #1. This involves just plugging your car into a normal 120V outlet the same type you use to plug in your TV, computer, or lamp. There is no need to install anything with this option, so the setup cost is $0. You just plug your home Tesla charger into a wall outlet and then plug in your car when you want to charge.

This is commonly called trickle charging because youre essentially just trickling electricity into the car at a very slow rate about 3 to 4 miles per hour. For some owners, this is all they need. Others need to charge up more quickly between drives and decide to go with a Tesla-compatible Level 2 charger installation or at least use a 240V dryer outlet to charge faster than on a 120V outlet.

The differences in speed between Level 1 and Level 2 charging for four different Tesla models. Image courtesy NeoCharge.

I personally use a normal Level 1 electricity outlet for my Tesla Model 3 SR+, but I also seem to drive a bit less than the average American, I work from home , and I have free public Level 2 chargers and even a Tesla Supercharging station nearby so its easy for me to get an extra, faster charge from time to time when I could use one. Charging needs depend on an individuals circumstances, and dont let anyone tell you otherwise! That said, data Ive seen on the topic indicate that most Tesla drivers who have home charging use something stronger than Level 1 trickle charging.

Reasons Why The Tesla Supercharger Isnt For Home Use

To start off, its necessary to understand exactly what a Supercharger is. Superchargers are Teslas version of a high-speed, direct current Level 3 charger, replenishing roughly 300 miles of range in about an hour. Thats fast! Comparatively, installed home charging systems are typically Level 2 and use alternating current , replenishing that same 300 mile range in about 8 hours, which is plenty fast for daily use. To learn more about the different EV charger levels click here.

Although the idea of installing a Level 3 Supercharger at home may sound appealing due to its impressive speed, there are many reasons its neither possible nor practical.

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How Long Does It Take To Charge A Tesla Model 3

The following table shows approximate time to charge an Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus. Times are for a 100% charge for all but rapid charging, which is quoted for 0-80% as most rapid chargers reduce or cut power well before 100% charge to protect the battery and maximise efficiency.

Note that the times shown are only a guide, as very rarely will an EV need to be fully charged from 0%. Other factors that might vary the charging time include ambient temperature, in-vehicle energy loads, any upper and lower charge restrictions to extend battery life and protect against potential damage, and charging rates slowing down as the maximum charge is reached.

The Tesla Model 3 is fitted with an 11 kW on-board charger for Type 2 AC charging as standard, in addition to rapid DC capability. This means that even when connected to a fast charger with a rated output above 11 kW, the Tesla Model 3 will only be able to charge at 11 kW.

Use Zap-Maps Home Charging Calculator to estimate charging times for a Tesla Model 3. The level of battery charge, connector speed, and on-board charger options can be tailored to your requirements for more accurate results.

Are Tesla Chargers The Best Option For My Ev

The Mobile Connector included with all Tesla vehicles is one of the best charging options that come with an EV. It can be turned into a more powerful Level 2 charger with the purchase of a $35 adapter. Most other EVs do not offer similar adapters to transform their Level 1 chargers.

However, it is probably not worth it for owners of non-Tesla EVs to go out of their way to purchase a Tesla Mobile Connector. The Mobile Connector kit costs $275 on its own. For that price, EV owners could purchase a Level 2 charging cable from the manufacturer of their EV, which guarantees that it will be compatible with their vehicle.

When it comes to the Wall Connector, theres much less to differentiate it from comparable third-party offerings such as those from Clipper Creek.

Rather than worrying about the brand, focus more on your own energy needs and which style of charging makes the most sense for you. Do you use your EV primarily for short commutes and not much else? The standard 120-volt charger included with your EV might be all you need. Do you need to have a full battery ready at all times? The extra speed and security of a 240-volt charging station might suit you better.

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Charging A Tesla Model 3 At Home

Buying a Tesla Model 3 will likely entitle you to an Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme grant. This will give you up to £350 off the cost of a fully installed charge point at home. Certain criteria need to be met, and off-street parking needs to be available too.

Customers can buy an OLEV approved charge point from any supplier, as long as it is also fitted by an OLEV approved installer in order to qualify for the EVHS. There are a number of different points and prices on the market so it is worth shopping about beforehand so you know whats on offer. Tesla also offers customers its own home EV charge point.

How Do You Use A Tesla Supercharger

A Tesla Supercharger is a fast charger that you would typically use when you’re on the road doing it too frequently is not great for battery health. At top speed, a Supercharger can typically add between 162 and 200 miles in 15 minutes, depending on the Tesla vehicle.

Tesla has a robust Supercharger network scattered along major highways and in major metropolitan areas. Tesla notes that it has 30,000 Superchargers globally. However, the number in the United States is lower. And Tesla acknowledges a “Supercharger” as an individual stall, not the charging station itself.

Per U.S. News, there are around 1,200 Tesla Supercharger stations in the U.S. You can find available Superchargers and route to them using the in-vehicle navigation system. Payment happens online through the method saved in your Tesla account.

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Charging Your Tesla At Home

Like Apple discontinuing the iPhone power adaptor and wired headphones with every order, Tesla now requires an add-on purchase from the Tesla online store for anyone who wants to charge at home.

But Teslas two charging options are sold out as of Monday evening. The slower Gen 2 Mobile Connector Bundle and faster Corded Mobile Connector with a NEMA 14-50 plug are both listed as out of stock on the Tesla site.

That leaves few options for home charging. Teslas faster Level 2 charger, a $495 wall connector that requires a professional installation, is still available. There are also non-Tesla chargers like those from ChargePoint and others, as ranked by Forbes Wheels with ourBest Home EV Chargers For 2022 guide.

When on the road, Tesla owners can juice up at Supercharger and destination chargers part of the Tesla network and other public charging stations.

Telsa

Can You Charge A Tesla From A Wall Plug At Home

Yes, you can charge a Tesla at home from a standard three-prong wall outlet. Pretty cool, right? Tesla cars come with a wall plug charger included, and many people charge their carsâalbeit slowlyâthis way. But there are much more efficient ways to charge a Tesla at home.

Tesla cars will charge from a standard 120-volt AC outlet in your house or garage. This is convenient if you live in an apartment or if you donât want to modify your wiring. This kind of charging is known as âtrickle charging,â and it uses the same principles as car battery rechargers.

Also, you can charge a Tesla from one of those three-prong round 240-volt utility outletsâwhich is the same kind you plug an old washing machine into.

Tesla 120-volt and 240-volt charging are simple. The car comes with what really amounts to a short dongle adapter with the desired plug on one end.

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How Long Does A Tesla Charge Last

It all depends on the miles you will cover as well as different Tesla car models. For instance, Model 3 is considered the most affordable option and so it usually comes with a smaller internal battery. This means that its charge will deplete quickly compared to Model X or S.

On a full charge, Model 3 can cover up to 250 miles. On the other hand, the Long Range version of Model S can travel up to 402 miles on just a single charge. Understand that the charge is highly likely to deplete more quickly regardless of the model if you consistently drive faster.

Besides that, environmental factors also determine how fast the battery charge will deplete. For instance, if you are driving in conditions that are deemed less ideal, for instance, in rainy or snowy weather, then your batter will end up exerting more power.

Alternatively, the battery will also exert more power if you drive through a headwind. So, before you leave your home with your Tesla, ensure that its fully charged and that these factors can reduce the expected period the charge can last.

To conserve the battery charge, always drive at a safe speed and brake slowly. Additionally, keep the vehicles tires fully inflated and keep moderate to minimal weight inside your car. This way, you will reduce issues that may affect the vehicles charge.

More information can can be found at Tesla.com

Located In A Detached Garage

Existing wiring to most detached garages is adequate for general lighting and 120-volt outlets. Powering up an EV needs quite a bit more power than this. In these cases where a detached garage has no power or only basic 120-volt power, we usually install a 100-amp feed underground or overhead to the garage. A sub panel is then installed in the garage which will feed the charger. These installations generally require a site visit to determine whether an underground or overhead method is best for the field conditions.

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Located in a detached garage

Located in a detached garage

Located in a detached garage

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How Long Does It Take To Charge

The time needed to charge depends on how much you drove during the day and how much you expect to drive the next day. If you didnt drive at all, something that happens often during the pandemic, it doesnt take any time at all to charge. Tesla recommends that you not charge to 100% unless youre about to set out on a long trip. I set my car to charge to 80%. I have my charge cable plugged in to a 15 amp circuit, and the car is set to draw 12 amps. My screen tells me that the battery is gaining 6 miles of range for every hour of charging. So with the 110-volt circuit, the Tesla charges at about the same rate as the Volt. When the pandemic ends, Ill get an electrician to wire up a 60 amp circuit to the circuit breaker box, and Ill install a level 2 charger. That will allow me to gain around 30 miles of range for each hour of charging. The state of Maryland and the electric company will cooperate to give me a tax break that will save me about 30% of the cost of installing the level 2 charger.