Power Strips And Extension Cords
Youâll need to use an extension cord with the right wire gauge to charge a Tesla from the wallâdonât bother with thin cheap hardware store cords.
Extension cords arenât really regulated much in the United States. This is interesting, as extension cords are a common source of overheating problems and electrical cords.
Tesla wants you to think of power like water, in the sense that large pipes enhance flow rates while small pipes restrict it. But hereâs a big differenceâsmall gauge cords, when subjected to excessive power load, get extremely hot.
Additionally, they cause resistance which reduces the speed at which your Tesla charges. Thatâs why itâs essential to read the label and find a cord with the proper wire gauge for charging your Tesla.
In the United States, the color or shape of an extension cord denotes nothing. Many âheavy-dutyâ orange or green cordsâlike the ones you see at concerts and on construction sitesâare actually the same as the thin white ones, and the gauge is too thin for charging a Tesla.
Wire gauge values are inverse to wire thickness. That means 18 gauge is thinner than 14 gauge, which is thinner than 12 gauge, and so on. Next, weâll cover the wire gauge you should look for when choosing an extension cord for charging your Tesla.
If youâre charging with a 15 amp current, use a ten or 12-gauge extension cord. For more powerful 20 amp charging, use a 10-gauge cord or heavier.
Explained: Ev Charging And Tesla Charger Options
Electric vehicle fanatics need no introduction to Tesla. Since 2003, Tesla has been an industry leader in the EV market with the company setting the standard for EV production across all fronts: vehicles, chargers, and charging stations.
A lot has been written about Tesla cars here and on other websites. But what about Teslas charging optionsare they any good?
Lets review all the charging options available to EV users and see how Tesla stacks up.
Find out how much it would cost to charge your Tesla with solar panels
Best Home Chargers For Tesla
A lot of people are asking questions, like what should they tell their electrician to install before they get their Tesla? Do they need a Tesla Mobile Charger or Wall Connector? Is it a need to get a non-Tesla home charger?
Actually, the options available for charging your Tesla at home are personal to the individual.
It really depends on many different variables, such as how often you drive, how far you drive, how much battery you need each morning when you wake up, etc.
This article will tell you some pros and cons of the best home charging stations for Tesla vehicles and help you pick the one that suits you best.
Also Check: Radio Flyer Tesla Model Y
What’s Included In Home Installation
- Fitting of your home charger on a brick or plaster wall, or to another suitable permanent structure.
- Up to 15 metres of cable, neatly clipped to the wall. It will run between your electricity supply meter, main distribution board and your home charger.
- An electrical certificate to show your installation meets the 18th Edition IET Wiring Regulations the UK standard.
Determine Which Electric Rate And Meter System Works For You
Select the PG& E electric rate that is best for your charging needs. You can enroll in any residential rate. The EV2-A rate is often best for EV owners because electricity costs less when you charge at certain times of day or overnight. The EV-B rate may be useful for people who want to have one electric rate for their whole house and a separate EV rate for their electric car charging.
Find out which rate is the best fit for you here: EV Savings Calculator.
- Single existing meter: You can enroll in EV2-A, E-1 or E-TOUA or E-TOUB rates.
- Dual meter: If you want to install a second meter and electric panel for EV charging, youll enroll in the EV-B rate.
PLEASE NOTE: A PG& E representative may schedule a visit to determine whether your current electric service can support an EV. You may have to upgrade your service or your panel, or add a second electric panel. Service upgrades are necessary when the service wire to your home doesn’t meet your capacity needs. PG& E charges a $100 service fee for a second meter. Youre responsible for the installation costs to support an additional meter. The costs are generally around $2,000, but can be as high as $8,000 or more.
Read Also: Was The First Car Electric
How Do I Charge An Ev If I Live In An Apartment Or Condo
Since apartment and condo parking is typically located in shared or common areas, check with your landlord or Home Owners Association before you consider installing an EV charging station. SCE is also working directly with property managers across its territory to install thousands of charging stations at apartment complexes over the next several years.
Are There Any Government Grants For Ev Charging Points
The OZEV Grant, also known as the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme ends on 31st March 2022 and cant be claimed for installs completed after that date.
Unfortunately, Pod Point has limited install slots available and due to high demand, and they cant prioritise your order for installation by the cut-off date unless youve been referred to them by one of their automotive partners.
For more information, please visit Pod Point’s help centre.
Why Have Some People Qualified For Unlimited Supercharging
Some people did qualify for unlimited supercharging, initially after the debut of the Model S back in 2012. However, this is no longer offered with new purchases.
Similar perks were initially offered with the Model X. From what we understand, Tesla still offers a select group of these free Supercharging perks however, Tesla has that it will be revamping its referral program so whether or not these perks will continue is not certain.
It is important to note that fully transferrable, free unlimited Supercharging has not been offered since 2017. However, we know that some vehicles may still have some form of free unlimited Supercharging. For instance, if you bought your Model Y in December 2020, you could possibly be eligible.
The Model 3 might also be eligible provided it is the performance trim and still with the original owner, and was purchased between 2018 and 2019. The Model X from 2016-2020 and Model S from 2012-2020 may also be eligible but it is best to confirm with Tesla.
Superchargers are Teslas primary network of charging stations, utilizing ultra-powerful 480-volt charging stations. They are designed to charge up the car for around an hour.
However, Destination Chargers are installed by Teslas Charging Partners, which are usually business or land owners who install a Tesla Wall Connector onto their property for the public to use.
Tesla Charging At Home: A Complete Guide
You can charge a Tesla fast at home, depending on what system you choose to charge it with.
You can charge a Tesla with a 120-volt home outlet for about two miles of range per hour or with a $500 Tesla Wall Connector for up to 44 miles of range per hour. Tesla home charging ranges from 120 volts at 15 amps to 240 volts at 48 amps.
In this article, weâll go over everything you need to know about charging a Tesla at home. Weâll go over charger levels, volts and amps, extension cords, adapters, and the highly efficient optional Tesla Wall Connector. Additionally, weâll compare home charging rates between Teslaâs most popular models.
We sourced much of the information used in this article from Tesla itself, and some of it comes from our own research and the experiences of Tesla owners.
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Charging Your Tesla With Solar At Home
Theres sometimes a misconception that home Tesla charging is expensive. Still, its substantially less expensive in most areas than buying gasoline especially if youre using solar to power your charging. Your exact comparison depends on the cost of electricity in your area and the model Tesla you own .
One of the best long-term solutions to lower your home Tesla charging costs is to go solar. You can use the EnergySage Marketplace to compare several quotes from pre-screened installers, helping you find a system that fits your needs at the right price. If youre planning to charge an EV at home, share that information when getting estimates so an installer can help you build the right size system, allowing you to power your car with free, renewable energy generated at home.
How Much Does It Cost To Install A Tesla Wall Connector
Tesla recommends its Wall Connector due to its speed, safety, and energy efficiency. But this is an additional product that comes at a costâyet it frees you from adapters and hazardous extension cords.
The Tesla wall connector requires an electrician to be installed. The unit itself, apart from installation, costs $500 on Teslaâs website. You can use Teslaâs online tool to find an electrician for your installation, or you can schedule an installation time with Tesla directly.
According to Tesla owners on various forums and online electric car communities, installation costs vary widely. The cost to install a Wall Connector is between $500 on newer houses and $5,000 or more on older houses.
But why such a dramatic cost disparity? Well, Tesla Wall Connectors are efficient and draw lots of power, which requires home wiring to be up-to-date and safe to use with such a high-current device.
Old homes with knob and tube wiring behind the walls, outdated glass fuses, or ancient breaker boxes will probably require some extensive additional work before they can accommodate a Tesla Wall Connector.
But this isnât always the caseâwhich is why itâs imperative to get a quote from an electrician before making a decision. Itâs probably a good idea to check your wiring as it is, regardless of how you want to charge your Tesla.
How Does Ev Charging Work
You plug things in to charge every day – your cell phone, your computer, a tablet. EV charging is similar to that. You plug in an EV so it can charge the battery in order for the cars motor to run. EVs are powered by large battery packs that store DC energy.
High-speed chargers, which are found in public spaces – and not in homes – provide DC power. This is the most direct and fastest way to charge a battery: DC electricity flows from the charging station directly into the battery.
However, things are a bit different when it comes to charging an EV in a home. At your home, as with most places in general, you only have access to AC power. For this reason, all EVs are equipped with an on-board charger that converts the AC power that comes from the charger to DC power, so the energy can be stored in the battery. The conversion from AC to DC power adds some time to the charging process.
The size of the onboard charger also dictates how fast an EV will charge. All Teslas in 2022 have an 11.5 kW onboard charger, except the Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive RWD), which has a 7.7 kW onboard charger. That means that the Model 3 RWD will accept AC electricity charging at a lower rate than all other Teslas.
The Costs Of Installing A Home Charger For Your Tesla
A Quick Guide On Installing A Tesla Home Charger.
So, youre getting a Tesla and youre thinking now about how youre going to charge it. Many Tesla owners dont have the ability to charge at home and will have to rely on public chargers and perhaps workplace charging, but most owners will use some form of home charging. This could be from a dedicated Tesla home charger installation, or you might end up using a dryer outlet to charge your Tesla.
In this article, Im going to run through a variety of Tesla home charger options and how much it costs to have them installed. This will include:
How To Install A Car Charging Station At Home
The most convenient places to top off are the places where your electric vehicle will be parked most often: home and work. At home, youll want a Level 2 charger, which requires 240-volt power reasonably close to the car.
Drivers who park in a private garage or even a driveway will likely have no issues. The 240-volt electricity is generally easy to add to a garage. The plug needed for a charger is the same as an electric clothes dryer.
A brief survey of electricians across the country found an average installation cost of around $250 for a 240-volt outlet. However, numerous factors can make this estimate more expensive. That said, many new homes get built with accommodation for electric cars.
From there, you will need to pick out a charger plan to spend between $400 and $700. The charger plugs into your new 240-volt outlet and features a cable that plugs into your car. Longer cables are available for most chargers for drivers who need the charger inside a garage but must park outside.
Drivers who park on the street or use apartment garages may need to come up with another solution. Municipalities generally frown upon a charging cable stretching across the sidewalk to a car, and installing your charger in a multistory garage is, of course, a no-go.
Read More About Electric Cars:
Tesla Charging Basics: What To Know & Why You Care
Each level of charging delivers different charging speeds. Different Tesla configurations have a maximum charge power they can accept. Choosing the right Tesla charger minimizes hassle and installation costs. And maximizes your enjoyment of electric driving. Keep reading to make charging levels as easy as 1, 2, 3.
How Long Does It Take To Charge A Tesla Cybertruck
The Tesla Cybertruck is already creating buzz, but despite the alien look, there are concerns. Namely, how long does it take to charge a Tesla Cybertruck?
The Tesla Cybertruck is unlike anything anyone has ever seen before. With its straight, bold diagonals, the moment the truck came out as a concept, the ears of pickup owners everywhere started humming. With an estimated range of 500 miles and a towing capacity of 14,000 lbs, it seemed as if this forward-thinking company called Tesla had nailed down the best of both worlds, a truck that could do the work but leave a small carbon footprint. But is that really what Tesla has done? The truck is not even out yet, but owners and skeptics are concerned about several areas. Will the truck take a long time to charge? Are there enough charging stations to go anywhere without having to stop? Whatâs the cost of charging? There are so many questions and, frankly, too few answers.
Here is a breakdown of how much time a Tesla Cybertruck would need at various charging stations – .
- Super Charging Station – 1.13 hours – 1 hour and 8 minutes
- Public Charging Station – 9.09 hours – 9 hours and 5 minutes
- Home Charging Station – 17.39 hours – 17 hours and 23 minutes
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Highest Power Output Non
Dimensions : 11.19 x 7.06 x 7.07 | Cable Length: 23ft | Voltage: 240V | Amperage: 16A~50A | Maximum Power Output: 12kW | Weatherproof Rating: NEMA 3R | Charging Type: J1772 Plug | Smart or Non-Smart Charger: Smart Charger | Connectivity: Wi-Fi | Voice Control: Amazon Alexa
The ChargePoint Home Flex EV charger is considered to be a Level 2 charger, and it charges at 240 volts.
There are essentially three electrical configurations for this charger. You can either plug it in with a NEMA 14-50 plug and NEMA 6-50 plug or directly hardwire the unit.
According to the 80% draw rule, when you plug the unit in and charge your EV on a 50-amp circuit breaker, you can actually only get a maximum of 40 amps out of the unit.
The only way to get the full 50 amps is you hardwire the charger. Or you purchase a NEMA 14-60 plug, and plug it in and charge your vehicle on a 60-amp breaker, and then you will get 48 amps.
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TIPS
For all Tesla vehicles, such as Model 3, Model S, Model X and Model Y, the ChargePoint Home Flex charger with an adapter can charge very fast and meet your needs.
Option #: Charge Two Teslas On One Outlet
Continuing on the topic of using a 240V electricity outlet, if the outlet is in use because you already have an electric car and have a Level 2 charging station plugged into it, you can use the 240V NeoCharge Smart Splitter to put another charging station on the same outlet. Then you can choose to charge both of your EVs at the same time at half power.
Importantly, theres no Tesla home charger installation cost with this option! The cost of a Tesla charger installation is not cheap. Additionally, if you get a charger installed, you may need to upgrade your electric panel capacity, which can add a couple thousand more dollars to the cost. If you can pop a Smart Splitter into an existing outlet and avoid both charger installation costs and a potential electricity panel upgrade, then you can potentially save a lot of money.
Cost: The NeoCharge Smart Splitter costs $449.
The NeoCharge Smart Splitter in a 240V dryer outlet, this device allows Tesla owners to charge two Teslas simultaneously without expensive installations or panel upgrades. Image courtesy NeoCharge.
