- How do I charge at home?
There are actually several options for charging at home. The first and most common method is to get a Tesla Wall Connector or similar wall box and have it installed in your garage or outside your home if you don't have a garage. A wallbox allows you to charge your Tesla with three phases of 16A and thus achieve a charging output of 11kw. When driving normally, this means an increase in range of around 60km per hour. This means that no matter how empty you plug your Tesla into the wallbox, you can start the day every morning with a full battery.
If you only have a normal socket available, you can use the included mobile connector. However, with this charging option, your Tesla only charges very slowly and there are high charging losses. However, if you don't drive that much every day, this can be a valid way to charge your Tesla. However, it should be mentioned that normal household sockets are not designed for higher amounts of electricity in the long term. It is therefore advisable to reduce the charging power even further using the app or directly in the car. The same applies if the house's wiring is already showing its age.
These aren't necessarily your only options, but for Tesla these are the most common. If you're planning a trip where you can leave your car at your destination and have access to a power outlet, I recommend using the Mobile Connector. This means you can at least charge overnight at a slow charging speed of around 5 kilometers per hour while you enjoy your time at your destination.
- How much does it cost me to charge at home?
The costs for charging at home are very individual and ultimately depend on your own electricity contract. Nevertheless, it is cheaper to pay a little more on your electricity bill than to spend money on gas. In the Tesla app you can actually see how much you save when refueling in the charging statistics. Simply adjust the costs in the settings. The Tesla app breaks down the charging costs pretty well based on the different locations. One way to further reduce charging costs is to familiarize yourself with dynamic electricity tariffs. Providers like Tibber enable charging at roughly the same price as electricity exchange prices. The prices for the next day can be viewed in advance, which allows you to plan your loads to a certain extent. In Germany, electricity is usually a lot cheaper at night. This period is perfect for charging. To avoid staying awake at night and having to plug in the Tesla, you can configure the charging time in advance in the Tesla app. Use the “Off-Peak Charge” function for this.
- Can I use an extension cable when charging?
If your socket is too far away from your parking space, you can theoretically use an extension cable. However, you should note that the extension cable is designed for a higher continuous load (e.g. due to the larger average of the individual wires). In addition, it is advisable that extension cables are completely unrolled and not left on a cable drum or similar to ensure sufficient heat dissipation.
Another thing about extension cords is that you should check them regularly for damage and not leave them unattended for days. If you're going away for a longer period of time, you shouldn't just leave it behind. In addition, the cable should not be used on a multiple socket and the extension should be as short as possible in order to keep the voltage drop as low as possible. You can expect that charging losses will continue to increase with an extension cable.
- Can I install a wallbox outside in the elements?
Yes, the Tesla Wall Connector is perfect for indoor and outdoor use. This is weatherproof and can withstand even the heaviest rain. If you choose a different wallbox, you can use the IP certification to see whether it is also suitable for outdoor use.
- Can I charge in bad weather?
Yes definitely. When your Tesla needs to be charged, it doesn't matter whether it's storming or snowing outside. It doesn't do anything to the car. Current Tesla models have extra heating elements installed around the charging port to ensure access even in frosty conditions. A frozen charging port is definitely not one of your problems.
- Should I charge up to 100%? Why not?
In order to be able to give the right answer to this question, you must first clarify what kind of battery technology your Tesla is equipped with. You can check your Tesla touchscreen by going to controls, software and additional information. It will show what type of battery you have. If it says “High Voltage Battery: Lithium Iron Phosphate,” that means you have an LFP battery. If your Tesla is equipped with an LFP battery, you can always charge it up to 100%. Tesla recommends doing this at least once a week. As a rule, both the Model Y and the Model 3 are equipped with the small battery with LFP. If your Tesla does not have an LFP battery, it is advisable to set the daily charging limit to 80% and only fully charge the battery before long journeys. Once the battery has reached 100%, you should start driving as soon as possible. Following this recommendation will help protect your battery.
- How do you use a supercharger?
Charging at the supercharger is super easy. After picking up your Tesla, you have to enter a payment method in the app. Once you've done that, all you have to do is take the cable out of the station and click on the button directly on the plug to open the charging port. Then simply plug it in, as soon as the T lights up green, the charging process has started. Billing will then take place automatically. You can therefore continue your journey straight away.
There are now over 50,000 superchargers worldwide, so the likelihood of you running out of power is very low. Superchargers can usually be found near shopping areas, rest stops or restaurants. You don't necessarily have to spend the short charging break in the car.
- How long does it take to charge at the Supercharger?
The current version of superchargers (V3 and V4) can deliver a charging power of up to 250kw. This allows you to continue your journey after just a few minutes. In order to make use of the charging power, you should arrive at the supercharger with around 10% remaining capacity. The charging power is highest when the charge level is low and decreases as the battery becomes full. Charging up to 100% on a supercharger often makes no sense; once it reaches 80%, the charging performance has already dropped significantly. Personally, I like to arrive with less than 10% remaining capacity and then charge up to around 60%. With a pre-tempered battery, this means a charging break of less than 20 minutes. In conjunction with my riding style, this strategy allows me to make quick progress. 80% closer.
If there is a V2 supercharger on your route (recognizable by two charging cables), there is another thing to consider. The V2 superchargers always act as a pair and are therefore marked with a number and an A or B. If you arrive at a V2 supercharger, you should always look for a pair that no one is charging yet. As soon as A and B are occupied, the already lower charging power of only 150kw is shared. This would mean a longer charging pause for you and is therefore better avoided.
So if you're asking how long it takes, you can often charge in just 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how much you've already charged. In order not to charge for longer than necessary, you should make sure that the battery is pre-tempered. To do this, simply navigate to the Supercharger and your Tesla will then take care of the rest.
- How do I behave correctly at the supercharger ? Loading etiquette?
When it comes to supercharger etiquette, here's the most important advice. In most cases you will always get a spot at the Supercharger. However, if possible, it is advisable to leave the two outermost superchargers free. Here, Tesla drivers with trailers or caravans can easily charge without unhooking the trailer. Only take it if there is no other option. If you're at a V2 Supercharger and there's space, skip parking spaces and don't park right next to another Tesla. This is because the transformers are often shared. So if a Tesla is in 1A and 1B, the power for both cars will be reduced and charging will take longer. Now to hopefully obvious aspects. Please help keep the Supercharger clean and don't leave any trash lying around. There are almost always enough trash cans nearby. The Supercharger is not a parking space, but a charging area. So please only use this to charge your Tesla and drive it away as soon as your battery is sufficiently charged. Otherwise, Tesla will charge a blocking fee for Superchargers that are at least 50% full. The blocking fee applies if the Tesla is not reparked within 10 minutes after charging has ended. If you happen to catch a Tesla without charging at the supercharger, the owner has probably just forgotten to plug it in. So do them a favor and plug in the charging cable. Despite the vehicle being locked, you can open the loading flap using the button on the plug and plug it in. ;) Loading then begins automatically. However, the plug can only be removed when the Tesla is open.
- Can I also use other non-Tesla chargers? How?
There are also other charging networks you can use. All current Tesla models are equipped with CCS plugs, enabling Europe-wide charging. At AC charging stations you simply use the cable provided; at DC stations you will find a cable like the Supercharger. Charging stations that are not part of Tesla must be set up before charging begins. You can either do this directly at the charging station by scanning the QR code and entering a payment method, or you can use a tariff from the numerous charging providers. These are available with and without a basic fee. Our own municipal utilities often have corresponding offers, and we usually use ENBW for Germany-wide charging. In conjunction with an ADAC membership, you can charge AC and DC from 52ct/kwh. In addition to ENBW, IONITY is also a large provider with numerous fast charging stations. However, my insider tip would be BE Charge, depending on the size of the package you book, you can charge with this provider from 35ct/kwh, regardless of whether AC or DC. Unfortunately, the number of charging stations that can be activated with BE Charge is rather small. But maybe there is a suitable one near you. (As of: November 2023)
If you want to plan a route outside the Supercharger network, you can use websites like abetterrouteplanner.com . Here you can set numerous parameters to achieve reliable route planning.
Do you have any questions or would you like more information on a specific topic? Then you can contact us at any time via social media @tunedeinentesla or via our built-in chat function. We're happy to help!