How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Tesla and How Long Does It Take?

How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Tesla and How Long Does It Take?

Tesla has revolutionized electric vehicle ownership, but questions about charging times and cost to charge a Tesla remain for potential buyers. How much does it cost to charge a Tesla, and maybe more importantly, how long does it take? Unlike refuelling at a gas station, estimating the cost of charging an electric vehicle is dependent on several factors. The amount of electricity needed to charge a Tesla also varies based on usage and model.

If you’re thinking about buying an electric vehicle but aren’t sure how much it costs to charge or how long it takes, this article breaks down Tesla’s charging options and estimates costs across Canada, allowing you to make an informed decision before purchasing.

Tesla Charging: How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Tesla?

Unlike gas-powered cars, electric vehicles offer various charging methods, impacting charging speed and cost. Home charging is typically the most cost-effective way to keep your Tesla powered. Home charging is usually the most cost-effective option to keep your Tesla running. 

However, the cost may differ depending on your province’s electricity prices and the Tesla model you own. For example, Manitoba and Quebec have lower rates, whereas the Northwest Territories and Nunavut have some of the highest. Knowing your province’s electricity rate is critical for evaluating electric vehicle charging costs. On the other hand, different Tesla models come with varying battery pack sizes. A larger battery will naturally cost more to charge from empty to full. 

How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Tesla and How Long Does It Take

Charging Your Tesla at Home

Contrary to popular belief, Tesla vehicles consume relatively small amounts of electricity despite their powerful features. Home charging is usually the most cost-effective option to keep your Tesla running. However, the cost to charge a Tesla may differ depending on your province’s electricity prices and the Tesla model you own. 

A Tesla electric vehicle uses around 34 kWh of electricity each 160 km. With a charging efficiency of approximately 94% and a discharge efficiency of 90%, the electricity needed by a Tesla battery is amazingly low, relieving concerns about expensive utility costs.

To calculate the electricity consumption for charging a Tesla at home, use the following formula:

Electricity Consumption = Battery Capacity (kWh) * Charging Efficiency

Let’s consider an example. Suppose you own a Tesla Model 3 with a Long Range battery capacity of 75 kWh and a charging efficiency of 90%. Using the formula, the electricity consumption can be calculated as follows:

Electricity Consumption = 75 kWh * 0.9 = 67.5 kWh

Thus, charging a Tesla Model 3 with a Long Range battery from empty to full would take about 67.5 kilowatt-hours of electricity.

The cost of electricity varies according to your area and rate. Knowing your province’s electricity rate is critical for evaluating charging charges. We can use the three major provinces where EVs are now sold the most as samples for estimating charging costs: 

To get the charging cost, multiply the electricity use (in kilowatt-hours) by electricity rate per kilowatt-hour. Below is the estimations of charging a Tesla Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia:

In Ontario, where electricity rates are set at 8.2 cents per kWh during off-peak hours, a similar scenario would cost roughly $5.00.

In Quebec, Hydro Québec’s rates are set at 6.155 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) during the first 2,480 kWh consumed. Suppose you own a Tesla Model 3 powered by a 53-kWh battery; it would cost you anywhere between $3.00 and $4.00 to fully charge your Tesla overnight from your home charger.

In British Columbia, where electricity costs 9.39 cents per kWh during the first 1,350 kWh consumed, expect to pay anywhere between $5.00 and $6.00 for an overnight home charge.

Charging an electric vehicle at home is the most affordable and convenient option for most electric vehicle owners. Typically, EV buyers purchase a level 2 (240-volt) home charger for this purpose. The best practice when owning an electric vehicle, including a Tesla, is to plug it in the evening before going to bed and unplug it in the morning, just like you would charge your smartphone. The charging cycle typically lasts between 8 and 12 hours, depending on the model you own. Charging occurs during off-peak hours, therefore energy consumption rates are often lower.

Tesla Supercharger and Public Charging Costs

When you’re on the go, you’ll need to use public charging stations to power your Tesla. Fortunately, Tesla offers a well-established Supercharger network that allows you to easily find these charges using the Tesla app or your vehicle’s infotainment system.

Tesla offers several rates and discounts for its Supercharger service. For example, they once offer a free one-year trial to new Model 3 buyers. Tesla charges typically hover around 26 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), while actual costs vary depending on the charging station’s power capacity.

If you don’t have a Tesla Supercharger around, you can use public charges. But bear in mind that some of these chargers may require a unique adapter to connect to your Tesla.

Rates for public charging installations typically vary between different companies. Some bill you per kWh, while others, like Quebec’s Electric Circuit grid, charge per minute or hour. As of now, EV owners in Canada typically pay no more than $20.00 to charge their cars on a public charger.

Tesla Charging Costs vs. Gas Expenses

When comparing the cost of charging an electric vehicle to typical gasoline expenses, electric charging is less expensive. At the current average gasoline price of $3.66 per gallon, filling up a 12-gallon automobile tank would cost around $45. Assuming a fuel economy of 50 kilometres per gallon, a full tank would deliver 480 km of range.

Driving the same distance in a Tesla, on the other hand, would cost roughly $20, saving you more than 40%. It’s crucial to remember that these calculations are based on current national averages, which may change over time.

Tesla Charging: How Long Does It Take?

Where and how you charge your Tesla has considerable effects on charging times. The time it takes to charge a Tesla depends on the battery capacity and charging wattage. For example, using an 11.5 kW home charger, a Standard Range Model 3 with a 50 kWh capacity will take about 4 hours and 20 minutes to charge. Models with a capacity of 100 kWh will require around 8 hours and 41 minutes. Using a Supercharger at a local charging station can dramatically accelerate these charging speeds.

Here’s a breakdown of your home and on-the-go options:

Level 2 Wall Connector: This Tesla-made charger delivers a substantial 70 kilometres of range per hour. Expect a full charge in 6 to 12 hours depending on the model. Installation costs range from $750 to $1,500 on top of the $400 charger itself.

Mobile Connectors: Budget-friendly Tesla mobile chargers plug into standard 110-120-volt outlets, offering 3-5 km of range per hour. These are ideal for those driving under 70 km daily.

Tesla Supercharger Network: Perfect for road trips, Tesla’s extensive network of Superchargers boasts impressive speeds. In just 15 minutes, you can gain enough juice for 300 km of travel.

Destination Charging Network: Hotels, resorts, and urban hubs often feature Tesla Destination Chargers. While not as fast as Superchargers, they provide up to 70 km of range per hour.

Third-Party Charging Stations: Found via Plugshare.com, these stations can be used with Tesla’s CCS Combo 1 Adapter and charge at similar speeds to a Level 2 Wall Connector.

Important Factors Affecting Charging Times

According to studies, temperature has a substantial impact on Tesla vehicles’ battery efficiency. Your Tesla’s range is likely to be reduced during the colder months when compared to warmer seasons. Electric vehicle batteries work most efficiently within a specified temperature range, much like your phone’s battery depletes faster in cold temperatures. 

Teslas have integrated heaters to keep the battery temperature at an appropriate level. It is important to note that the energy needed to heat the battery is different from that used for power. Charging times vary based on several factors:

• Starting Charge Level: A partially charged battery charges faster than an empty one.
• Charger Rate and Power Output: Different chargers deliver power at varying rates.
• Battery Temperature: Extreme temperatures, hot or cold, can slow down charging speeds. Preconditioning the battery before charging, a feature available on Teslas through the app, can help mitigate this effect.
• Charging Up to 80%: Experts recommend not exceeding 80% for optimal battery health. Superchargers typically reach 80% within 15 minutes.
• Station Usage: Superchargers operate similarly to gas stations. During peak hours, you might experience slower charging speeds due to shared station usage.

Charging times by Tesla models

The below highlights estimated charging times for different Tesla models using various charging methods. Now, let’s explore how charging times across Tesla’s current lineup:

Tesla Model 3: The popular Model 3 boasts an impressive range of up to 576 km. 

On a Tesla Supercharger (250 kW), it can achieve an 80% charge in 15-20 minutes. A 150 kW Supercharger might take up to 40 minutes for 80%. Level 2 charging takes 8-12 hours, while Level 1 charging is impractical for daily top-ups due to its slow speed.

Tesla Model Y: The versatile Model Y offers a range of up to 531 km. 

Charging times are similar to the Model 3. A 250 kW Supercharger delivers an 80% charge in 15-20 minutes, while a 150 kW charger takes up to 40 minutes. Level 2 charging takes 8-12 hours, and Level 1 charging is best suited for overnight top-ups only.

Tesla Model S: The luxury sedan, Model S, boasts a range of up to 651 km. 

While it has a larger battery, charging times are comparable to the Model 3 and Y. A 250 kW Supercharger can deliver an 80% charge in 30-40 minutes, while a 150 kW charger might take up to an hour. Level 2 charging takes 12-20 hours for a full charge, and Level 1 charging is for overnight top-ups only.

Tesla Model X: The spacious Model X offers a range of up to 560 km. 

Charging times are on par with the other models. On a 250 kW Supercharger, expect an 80% charge in 30-40 minutes. A 150 kW charger takes up to an hour. Level 2 charging takes 12-20 hours, and Level 1 charging is suitable for overnight purposes only.

Important Note: These are estimated charging times and can be influenced by various factors, including battery temperature, initial charge level, and overall station usage.

In conclusion, compared to gas-powered vehicles, owning a Tesla saves significantly on fuel costs. While charging costs are out there, they are often much cheaper than gasoline, particularly when charging at home with reduced electricity rates. By understanding your province’s electricity rates and Tesla’s charging options, you can make informed decisions about powering your electric vehicle.

More from Carnex Blog:

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Canada’s Top 10 Best Selling Electric Vehicles

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As always, Carnex can provide you with detailed information about buying and selling used electric vehicles in Ontario.

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