How much does it cost to charge your Tesla at a charging station vs. with a home charger?
We get it; driving your Tesla in California & Arizona is all about style and saving the planet one electron at a time. But what's the deal with charging? How much does it cost to charge your Tesla at a charging station, and are charging stations free?
Well, let's break it down in simple terms, because EV charging doesn’t need to be a headache.
Time & Cost Of Charging at a Supercharger
Time Needed: Buckle up, folks! At a Tesla Supercharger, you can go from "empty" to "80% charged" in around 30 minutes, or if you're really in a hurry, 15 minutes will give you a cool 200 miles of range.
Cost: Now, the price tag. Supercharger rates are still giving us a bit of sticker shock. During peak hours (8 am to 12 am), you're looking at an average of around $0.39 per kWh. But if you're a night owl, those off-peak hours (12 am to 4 am) offer a sweeter deal at $0.14 per kWh. Just keep in mind, prices can vary from $0.25 to $0.50 per kWh, depending on where you plug in.
It’s worth noting that the cost of charging at a charging station has increased significantly in the past year with the growing popularity of Teslas. With more cars on the road we can expect Tesla to capitalize on your convenience further, making home charging a more attractive solution than ever. More on that later.
Cost of Charging at a Normal Public Tesla Charger Station
Time Needed: You'll find Level 2 public chargers hanging out just about everywhere. They'll typically need around 4 to 8 hours to fill your battery. And if you stumble upon a Level 1 charger, you might as well make it a day at the beach because it can take 12-20 hours or more!
Cost: Public charging spots are like that one friend who changes their mind constantly – you never know what you're gonna get. On average, at most Tesla Supercharging stations, you'll fork out about $0.28 per kWh, which is double the home rate. If you're into minutes, it's $0.26 per minute above 60 kW and $0.13 per minute at or below 60 kW. It's like the price of avocado toast – it varies depending on the decor.
In this video the different public Tesla charging stations are compared. You can get a sense of the key differences between public Tesla V2 (slow charging stations) and Tesla V3 “Superchargers”.
If you’re really price savvy, some businesses are trying to get local customers hooked on their spot by offering free charging at their premises. It takes a bit of hunting, but if you’ve got the drive you can even sneak in a charge for free!
Charging at Home - Level 2 Charger
Time Needed: Home sweet home! Your Level 2 charger takes about 4-8 hours to give your Tesla a full recharge, depending on the battery size and the charger's strength.
Cost: Charging up at home with a Level 2 charger in 2023 is a breeze. On average, you're looking at about $0.13 per kWh. To put it in perspective, fully charging a Tesla Model 3 Long Range with a 50 kWh battery at home will cost you around $6.50. But remember, it can range from $6 to $39, depending on where you set up camp.
The true price of your charge depends on the cost of electricity from the grid in your state. For example in Arizona the cost per kWh is much lower than in California. However, most electricity companies nationwide have variable rates depending on the most in-demand times of day. By installing a smart charging system you can automate when your car charges, using AI to prioritize the lowest cost hours of the day for even more cost effective Tesla charging at home.
Charging at Home - Level 1 Charger
Time Needed: Level 1 chargers, the ones that come with your Tesla, are cheap but painfully slow, and let’s face it who’s got time these days. They'll take roughly 12-20 hours or more to get your Tesla to a full charge, which is fine for a lazy weekend, but not much use for the mid-week slam.
Cost: Charging your Tesla at home with a Level 1 charger uses your home's electricity, but at a snail’s pace of 110v. Generally it costs the same as a level 2 charger, although sometimes the charging adapters/converters are less efficient. You still pay the same variable rates from your electricity provider, but expect long charging times, particularly as battery capacity and EV range increases this becomes a less attractive setup.
The Benefits and Costs of Each Charging Method
Benefits and Costs: Let's keep it real. Superchargers are like that fancy coffee shop with the high prices, but they get the job done fast. Public chargers are the spontaneous road trip buddies – you never know how much they'll cost. Home charging, with a Level 1 charger is cheap but painfully slow, while for us Level 2 is that perfect balance of quick, efficient and cost-effective. Throw in some scheduling smart gear and you’ve got yourself a setup worthy of a spendthrift Youtube influencer.
Speaking of which, if you need more convincing, Youtuber Alex Sibila made a straightforward comparison video of the cost of charging his Tesla at charging ports, Supercharger and at home.
Installation Costs
Why You Should Have an Electrician Install a Home Level 2 Charger: Alright, you know what's cooler than being cool? Being safe! In 2023, it's still essential to have a pro handle your Level 2 charger installation. Level 2 chargers run on 230/240v electrical systems, which are not installed as standard in most American homes. That means you need to get an extra circuit popped into your home by a professional electrician (ahem).
Installation Costs: In the land of sunshine, installation costs for your EV charger are in the ballpark of $450 to $1500, including parts and labor (but not including the cost of the wall charger hardware). Specifically for Tesla owners, you'll be looking at around $500 for the Tesla Wall Connector itself.
Wrapping it up
So, whether you're cruisin' down the Pacific Coast Highway or catching the desert breeze in Arizona, the choice of charging method for your Tesla in 2023 is all about finding the right spot. Home charging is still the way to go for those budget-conscious beach bums, but don't forget to call up Rizzo Electric to raise the standard of your home installation. Visit www.rizzoelectricusa.com today to get a quote for your Tesla charging hardware and installation.