Looking for how to charge Tesla at charging station?
Here is your full guide on how you can charge your Tesla at Supercharger and what are the other options to charge Tesla when you are on a trip with your friends or on a business trip.
Where can I Charge my Tesla?
You can charge Tesla both publicly and privately. To publicly charge your vehicle, Tesla has 3 charging networks.
Tesla superchargers
Tesla destination chargers
Other public DC and AC charging stations
If you want to charge your Tesla privately, then you have just one option, which is Tesla in-home charging. You can install it in your home garage or in front of your house and charge your Tesla at home.
Types of Tesla Chargers at Charging Stations
Tesla offers 2 types of chargers at public charging stations.
V2 supercharger: These chargers can charge at a speed of 150 KW. The V2 superchargers have a cable with 2 different kinds of plugs.
Type 2 plug – charges the Tesla Model S and Tesla Model X.
CSS plug – charges the Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y.
V3 and V4 superchargers: These chargers can charge at a speed of 250 KW. However, the V3 and V4 superchargers have just a CSS plug. So, if you have a Model X or S, you can only charge with this Supercharger if you have retrofitted your car with the CSS upgrade.
How to Charge Tesla at Charging Station (Supercharger)?
Superchargers charge your Tesla quickly at the maximum rate of 250 (kWh) kilowatt hours. Tesla superchargers are available on main roads and highways located near various food, coffee, and shopping options.
In the US, there are almost 1200 superchargers, and worldwide, there are nearly 30,000 supercharger stations available, but the distant locations have minimal options. However, superchargers are not recommended for regular use as they charge at a fast speed, which can be harmful to your Tesla battery life.
Superchargers are the simplest to use; here is how to charge Tesla at charging station (Supercharger).
At first, you have to find the nearest Tesla supercharger to charge your Tesla.
Then, navigate to the station and park your vehicle in reverse position.
Now, plug the charging cable into your vehicle’s charging port.
Your Tesla will automatically start charging, and the station will calculate your charging session.
Once the charging is completed, your bill will automatically attach to your card account.
Charge Tesla at a Destination Charging Station
In addition to the superchargers, Tesla also provides its customers with Tesla destination chargers that look like home wall connectors. You can find these chargers in hotels, restaurants, and parking garages. However, they are not as fast as the superchargers because they are designed for overnight use and charge quite slowly, usually providing 8 or 16 KW of power.
Charge Tesla at Other Public DC and AC Charging Stations
Suppose you are in a situation where there is no Tesla supercharger or destination charger nearby. In that case, you have the last option, which is public EV (electric vehicle) charging stations. Finally, there are many public EV charging stations available; however, they are not as fast and easy to use as Tesla chargers. Companies like ChargePoint, Volta, and others offer public EV charging; some are free, and some cost to your credit card.
FAQs
Q: Can anyone charge at the Tesla charging station?
Yes, Tesla and non-Tesla vehicles can charge at the Tesla charging stations.
Q: At what percentage should I charge my Tesla?
Tesla recommends that users charge the vehicle when it is lower than 20% and higher than 90% and only charge 100% when they are going on long road trips.
Q: How much does it cost to charge Tesla at a Tesla charging station?
Tesla chargers use the per-kWh billing method. The Supercharger typically costs around $0.25 per kWh to charge. However, the destination charger is generally free, but some may also charge fees around $0.30/kWh.
Q: How long does it take to charge a Tesla at Supercharger?
To fully charge a Tesla at a supercharger it takes almost an hour.
Q: Do you need an account to use a Tesla Supercharger?
Yes, whether you have a Tesla or non-Tesla vehicle, you must create a Tesla account to access the supercharger network on a pay-per-use basis. However, some supercharger stations are not available for non-Tesla vehicles that are indicated in the Tesla app.
Q: Is it better to charge your Tesla slowly?
Slow charging is generally better for your Tesla battery life, but if you seldom use fast chargers during long tours or when required, it would not suggestively harm the battery.
