Tesla Charging Stations Cost: Tesla Charger, Supercharger (Real Price)

Georgette Kilgore headshot, wearing 8 Billion Trees shirt with forest in the background.Written by Georgette Kilgore

Carbon Offsets Credits | May 25, 2023

Man using a tesla charger to charge his electric vehicle at a tesla charging station and wonders what is the tesla charging station cost and if there is a tesla supercharger map to show locations, as well as how much does it cost to charge a tesla and would a tesla wall charger be less than a tesla supercharger cost?

Have you ever asked yourself, what is the real Tesla charging stations cost?

When you own a Tesla, options for finding a charger or a supercharger are some of the first considerations. These charging stations can be used by any electric vehicle that has an adapter, but the energy they generate isn’t free, nor is it perfectly clean.

Plus, individuals aren’t able to buy them, and charging stations run about $100,000 to $200,000 and for each kWh, the cost is about 25 cents.

With more consumers disconnecting from the fossil fuel pump and embracing electric cars, knowing where to recharge when driving across the country is a primary concern.

But how do you find the nearest Tesla charging station? And how much does it really cost to recharge your battery?

Tesla Charger

Having an effective infrastructure in place that is easily accessible to motorists is crucial to the success of the growing EV industry.

Decades of research and development have gone into improving the storage capacity of batteries to extend the distance they are able to cover on one charge.

That same amount of dedication had to also be directed at the ability to recharge those self-same batteries while on the go.

But remember, that electricity has to be generated somewhere…and it’s usually being created by fossil fuels.

A white electric vehicle (EV) manufactured by Tesla, connected to a Tesla charger.

(Image: Ernie Journeys12)

Automakers across the world were soon to be left behind by Tesla. While they were poring all their efforts into making the perfect EV, Tesla was doing that and more, focusing on the ecosystem that had to be developed around the main product.

They realized very quickly that to sell more EVs, they had to promote their vehicles in a different manner than conventional automakers were accustomed to.

It was fine to highlight all the features of a brand-new, zero-emission electric car, but it was crucial to alleviate the fear motorists had of being stranded without any juice to turn the wheels, and what impact the Tesla charging stations’ costs were going to hurt their wallets.

So Tesla hyped up the easy accessibility to refueling stations within their supercharging networks,1 and just as importantly, how to find them.

Related Reading: How Many Electric Cars Are There in the United States? We Found Out

The Tesla Supercharger Network (Tesla Supercharger Map)

Creating a network of charging facilities across the United States alone is going to cost the company billions but without that investment, without thousands of refueling stops, what good is an electric car?

Unlike Nissan, which was initially the market leader between 2011 to 2014 in selling electric vehicles, Tesla focused on developing the infrastructure to support their cars before embarking on mass production.

And this was the focus of their marketing campaign.

They made sure that interested consumers were aware that they were purchasing a green vehicle so that they would be contributing towards combating climate change, and that wherever they were, a Tesla charging station would be close by.

Yet the questions about the ease of use still surround the Tesla EV battery recharging facilities, mainly how long to charge a Tesla, and are Tesla charging stations free to use.

The Tesla Supercharger Map displays at a glance how many EV stations there are in every state and even the address where they are. By the end of 2024, the company is expected to double their Supercharger installations from 7,500 to over 15,000, and are on track to do just that.

Screenshot of U.S. Department of Energy website for electric vehicle charging station locations showing green dots on the U.S. Map representing locations of Tesla charging stations.

(Image: U.S. Department of Energy13)

There was a time that only Tesla drivers could use the outlets at the Supercharger network.

Expansion, and possibly world dominance, has always been Tesla’s motto, and the business has started setting up “Magic Dock” adapters at numerous Supercharger locations across the nation.

This enables their chargers to function with any EV that has a CCS plug, essentially making long-distance travel simpler than ever for owners of EVs built by dozens of other automakers.

The Biden administration encouraged Tesla to undertake this accelerated expansion and availability to other motors under the Inflation Reduction Act, not only to encompass the Supercharger outlets but also the slower Destination Chargers as well.

This represents a significant improvement in America’s EV charging infrastructure and bodes well for the future of electric vehicles.2

How Much Do Tesla Charging Stations Cost? How To Find Them

Tesla has one of the largest networks of charging stations across the United States and has over 45,000 EV charger installations in other locations in other cities all over the world.

A large majority of those locations, however, are not situated in conventional gas stations but in parking garages, malls, resorts, big hotel chains, and even restaurants as long as there is adequate WiFi and space to install the wall connectors.

Tesla has 2 main types of charging stations for motorists on the go, the Supercharger and Destination Chargers, both available to be found on the Tesla app, the Tesla website, and also through the onboard navigation system in the vehicles.

This displays the distance to several stations along your planned route and the amount of energy required to get there.

The Destination Chargers are slower than the Superchargers, generally used for overnight charging where speed is not a priority but they can be used to give a small energy boost to supply enough just to complete a journey.

They do take a while but are convenient for top-ups while grocery shopping or where the car can be stationary for a period of time.

The Supercharging stations are the fastest methods of recharging depleted batteries, but the actual charge amount can vary between models.

The information below shows how many miles can electric cars go, specifically Tesla models?

Graphics of Tesla miles range per charging station showing Tesla car models on the x-axis and distance mileage on the y-axis.

Tesla Model CarDestination Charger RangeSupercharger Range
Model 3:30-44 miles/hour175 miles/15 minutes
Model S:34 miles/hour200 miles/15 minutes
Model X:30 miles/hour175 miles/15 minutes
Model Y:42 miles/hour162 miles/15 minutes

Strangely enough, one of the factors that will affect the Tesla charge time from a Supercharger, is how depleted or how full the battery is.

The lower the charge the battery has remaining, the faster it will be charged up using a Supercharge, and to top off a battery that is nearly full will be slower than you might expect.

But is it free to charge up at these locations?

Yes, and no.

Some establishments that have Destination Chargers for electric cars on the go, offer a free-to-charge service for drivers visiting their premises, sometimes hotels, supermarkets, restaurants, malls, and even kerbside chargers located in certain boroughs in New York City.

To find the nearest one under this pilot program that started in 2021 can be found on the city’s website,3 but is a bit of a challenge when on the go.

So, Tesla charging stations costs can be free in certain locations for patrons, whereas in others there are costs associated with Supercharging your Tesla.

Tesla Supercharger Cost: Real Price (How Much Does It Cost To Charge a Tesla?)

Essentially, different charging stations have different methods of pricing, some based on the kWh usage and others on the amount of time spent hooked up.

Off-peak and overnight rates are also on offer in some stations but these are not listed on either the Tesla app or their website.

They do, however, show a list of prices in their tier format that is more or less accurate at about $0.25 per kWh.

Graphic of Tesla supercharging tiers costs showing the different tiers on the x-axis and cost on the y-axis.

Supercharging TierkWh ChargingCost for 15 Minutes
Tier 1Up to 60 kWhUp to $3.75
Tier 260-100 kWh$3.75 – $6.25
Tier 3100- 180 kWh$6.25 – $11.25
Tier 4180 kWh$11.25

The reason for the 4 tiers is to accommodate the different battery sizes with different capacities which will vary the kWh charging rates and to help consumers understand how many kWh to charge a Tesla.

At a Tesla Supercharger station that will have multiple outlets available, a quick 15-minute recharge will enable their electric cars to travel up to 200 miles further,4 but for a car that has a range of 400 miles, 30 minutes of charge time would be required which would increase the cost to about $22.50.

How To Charge Tesla at Home (Tesla Charging Cost Calculator and Tesla Supercharger Cost Calculator)

Tesla charging station costs are cheaper than traditional gas-powered stations but as yet not quite as widespread nor as convenient.

The one advantage that car charger outlet has over gas pump, is that they can be installed in the comfort of your own home. They won’t be fast chargers but having an outlet installation in your garage, carport, or driveway, means that being fully charged for the next day’s journey to work is range-anxiety free.

A Tesla wall connector will cost around $400 to purchase with is very reasonable, and then with the cost of an electrician, the final price could be between $600 to $1,500.

So is it worth it?

Tesla Home Charger Cost (Tesla Charger for Home)

How much it is going to cost to charge a Tesla at home will depend on the state where you live, and the size of the battery in your car. Utility costs vary statewide from as low as $0.09c to a high of $0.30c.

That is a wide variance and based on those figures, it’s safe to say that it’s going to add another $6.60 to $21.84 to the householder’s utility bill for every full charge.

To calculate the exact cost follow this simple formula

  • Capacity of the battery x Utility electricity cost per kWh
  • 60 kWh x $.15 per kWh = $9.00

Driving conditions, whether around town or on the freeway and distance traveled, would determine the frequency of daily or weekly plugins.

But regardless, the benefits of being able to charge your zero-emission cars like, Tesla EV, far outweigh the small upfront installation costs involved, especially if there are off-peak charging options available to reduce those running costs even further.

There are two types of chargers suitable for home use, Level 1 and Level 2.

  • Level 1 Outlet

With these chargers, no electricians are needed as they plug directly into a standard wall socket and are ready to go quickly. They are the most economical option, which is the upside, but the downside is they are slow chargers.

To fully charge a battery can take up to 10 hours so that has to be factored into your decision to stay at Level 1 or go to Level 2.

  • Level 2 Outlet

If waiting 10 hours is too long, the Level 2 outlet will get your EV back on the road in less than half that time. It costs more, a professional electrician will need to be employed as modifications to your home electrical system will be required for the new specialized circuits and outlets, but in 4-5 hours you will be good to go.

The total cost of the Level 1 charging outlet can be as affordable as $400 for the basic model without installation.5 Level 2 can be $2,000 plus depending on the complexity of configuring the wiring for the electrician.

Tesla Charging Stations Costs for Condos

Just because you live in a condo shouldn’t disqualify you from having a Tesla charging outlet on-site.

There are challenges and stumbling blocks that have to be overcome, among them is reaching a consensus between all the tenants, and evaluating the electrical infrastructure of the building to verify its suitability for EV chargers.

A garage in a building with Tesla Chargers mounted on the wall.

(Image: Joseolgon14)

The most difficult technical challenge is the setup itself.

Electric panels are limited to a set Amp capacity per condo, and there are frequently hardware limitations so it may be necessary to upgrade the electrical system before installing one or more EV chargers.

The Tesla charging stations cost would have to be discussed with all the inhabitants whether they own an EV or are intending to get one in the near future, and this will determine how many charging units will be needed and how to arrange them throughout the building.

Installing a charger is only possible if everyone agrees as the cost of purchase will have to be shared by the condo community which will probably result in a minor rent increase or another arrangement to pay for this extra service.

Furthermore, the condo owner cannot simply select a charger and start wiring it in. To begin the process, a permit must be obtained from the local public works department in order to connect to the grid.

There are also local and state initiatives that enable condominium and apartment owners to apply for a rebate on installation costs. Those incentives can discount up to 50% off the purchase and installation costs which is a significant amount if 4 or more outlets are to be fitted.

A final consideration is compatibility. Ensure that the new charging points will be able to charge a wide range of cars.6 Fortunately, Tesla has recently introduced a J1772 adapter to accommodate non-Tesla EVs, at a cost.

The charging potential of the outlets should also be discussed between users of the new community scheme.

A majority decision would have to be reached on whether to select Level 1 or Level 2 outlets for pricing purposes as they are to be purchased in multiple and the ultimate bill could be substantial.

Realistically, when there are to be many users, the Level 2 charging outlet would be recommended due to its faster charging times which would avoid the unfortunate situation of drivers having to wait in line to plug in.

To avoid any disputes between users arising from extra amounts on their utility bills, smart meters should be fitted to enable every owner to monitor and record through an app their personal charging times and kWh used.

Charging Tesla With Solar Panels (Tesla Wall Charger)

The dream for many Tesla owners is to be able to charge their car for free from their own home, with zero costs. Forever.

A Tesla electric vehicle connected to an EV charger equipped with a solar panel.

(Image: Kindel Media15)

To achieve that the best option is to install rooftop solar panels to harness the energy from the sun and convert that into electricity to keep the wheels turning on the tarmac.

Additionally, installing solar panels will also assist in reducing utility bills, and further minimize the damage caused to the planet by climate change.

If you’re fortunate enough to reside in a state that affords hours and hours of peak sunshine all day, every day, 300 days a year, it’s possible to disconnect from the grid and become completely self-sufficient from the energy from the sun.

It has been calculated that between 17-21 solar panels would enable a homeowner to do just that.

If going off-grid is not the goal, then fewer solar panels could be connected and run through your Tesla Powerwall battery storage system, and it is to this system that the Tesla home charger will also be wired.

So what are the things to be considered when charging Tesla with solar panels?

First, a few kWh have to be calculated so that as soon as your car is plugged in, the power in the rest of the house doesn’t dim and the microwave shuts off.

The energy to charge electric car batteries is substantial and the only way to charge them from a home photovoltaic system is to get more panels fitted. And the same applies to any business considering increasing its solar panel array so employees would have the option to plug in their vehicles while at work.7

To estimate how many would be needed, divide the daily mileage by the miles per kWh the particular model car is capable of.

The average American drives around 37 miles a day. If the car is a Tesla Model 3 that consumes 3.4 miles per kWh, then it is easy to calculate that every workday 10.88 kWh is used, with probably less on weekends.

The formula to use and that can be adapted for longer or shorter hauls, and different model cars is:

  • 37 ÷ 3.4 = 10.88 kWh used every day

Now, a 400-watt solar panel will normally absorb 6-8 hours of sunlight a day and produce 2.4 kWh per day, based on 6 hours of peak sun.

That figure can vary if the wattage from the solar panel is rated lower or if the daily sunshine varies considerably.

The formula to use under all circumstances is:

  • 400 (watts of solar panel) x 6 (hours of sunshine) = 2400
  • Divide that figure, 2400, by 1,000 and the final result is 2.4 kWh

To calculate how many additional solar panels would need to be fitted to ensure your car can be adequately charged, would be:

  • 10.88 (kWh used per day) ÷ 2.4 (kWh per day from the panel) = 4.5 panels

To charge a Tesla Model 3 that travels 37 miles a day, 5 extra solar panels would be needed. Obviously, if peak sun hours in your particular state is a measly 3 hours a day, then 10 extra solar panels would have to be purchased.

Studies have shown that the car model, weather conditions, miles traveled, and the watts of the panels, can increase the number of panels even further from just 5 to a possible 16.

So, not only does the Tesla charging stations cost have to be budgeted for, but also the additional solar panels.

The thing is, in the long run, it will be more than worth it.

Within 5-7 years the upfront costs can be offset by the savings on utility bills and recharging expenses. After that, the electricity for your home will be free as will the daily charging of your Tesla Model 3. Forever.

Home and Public Tesla Charging Stations Costs vs Solar vs Fuel Cars

Being able to compare the value of not only purchasing an EV but the method of charging it, will help in the decision-making process of which route to take.

Saving money on everyday expenses is the priority for some, convenience a primary concern for others while reducing the carbon emissions from their vehicle is at the top of the agenda for many more.8

Related Reading: Carbon Footprint of Electric Cars vs Gasoline (The Truth No One Admits)

Let’s break down the differences between car transportation and see which method works out best for every motorist.

Combustion Car (30 MPG)Public EV ChargerAt Home ChargingSolar Panel Charging
Miles per kWh/Gallon30 gallons3.4 miles per kWh3.4 miles per kWh3.4 miles per kWh
Average Yearly Mileage

(Based on 37 miles per day)

13,476 miles13,476 miles13,476 miles13,476 miles
Yearly Fuel Consumption450 gallons3,964 kWh3,964 kWh3,964 kWh
Unit Cost per kWh/Gallon$4.00 per gallon$0.40 per kWh$0.17 per kWh$0.09 per kWh
Total Yearly Cost$1,800$1,585.60$673.88$356.76

These prices are based on the average energy prices in selected areas from government statistical tables and can vary significantly throughout the states.9

The highest household utility charge is in San Diego at 0.47c per kWh, nearly 4 times that of some states.

It is evident at a quick glance that solar power is the cheapest, most convenient, and most climate-friendly method of charging an EV in any state in the country.

Tesla Charger: Supercharger Facts

Tesla does not actually have the fastest public charging system on the market, other specialist companies whose focus is solely on improving the charging speed of their charging points, leading the charge, so to speak.

Where Tesla is way ahead of all its competitors through the extensive infrastructure that they have built over the last decade. They have charging points in all major cities, in parking garages, in supermarkets, and in restaurant car parks.

With such a widespread network, consumers are drawn predominantly to buying a Tesla car for peace of mind and convenience and are not just focused on the costs which can be offset by several incentivized programs.10

The comfort of knowing that a Tesla Supercharger or a Destination Charger is just around the corner actually improves the driving experience.

Over 25% of EV drivers have become accustomed to plugging into a charging station at shopping malls when grocery shopping or watching a movie.

A Tesla Supercharger station situated in a parking lot.

(Image: johnjakob16)

Innovation, affordability, convenience, and climate change are the driving forces convincing motorists that the future of transport is electric. If solar energy can be the source that powers this growing industry, even better.

With the largest worldwide charging stations infrastructure, Tesla charging stations cost: Tesla charger, supercharger (real price), are more accessible and affordable than ever.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tesla Charging Stations Cost

How Much Is a Tesla? How Much Does a Tesla Cost?

The cost for a Model 3 starts from $40,240 as of 2023.

How Long Does It Take To Charge a Tesla With a Supercharger?

Depending on the model of the car and the remaining charge in the battery, it can take 15 minutes or longer for larger battery configurations.

How Long Does It Take To Fully Charge a Tesla at Home?

Connecting to a Tesla outlet at home will charge a Model S in 6 to 9 hours when fully depleted. A model X can take up to 10 hours.

How Long Would It Take To Charge an Electric Car With a Solar Panel?

How long would it take to charge an electric car with a solar panel will depend on the battery charging capacity, and efficiency of the solar panel system; fully charging an EV can take from 8 hours to 10 days.

How Long Do Tesla Batteries Last?

Tesla has redesigned their batteries to last from an initial 200,000 miles on their basic models, to between 300,000 to 500,000 on their more premium models.

Is It Worth Buying a Tesla?

The at-home Tesla charging stations cost becomes very economical when connected to the grid compared to combustion engines or charging at public EV charging points. It becomes even more so when connected to solar panels and Tesla is constantly delving into more advanced technologies fearlessly where other businesses have failed.11

What Is the Service Battery Charging System?

This warning system will alert you if there is a problem with the battery or in the charging system.


References

1Akin, T. (2021, February 1). Tesla’s Advantage: EVs Cannot Succeed Without Developing Parallel Supercharging Networks. UCDAVIS. Retrieved May 17, 2023, from <https://www.ucdavis.edu/curiosity/news/tesla%E2%80%99s-advantage-evs-cannot-succeed-without-developing-parallel-supercharging-networks>

2U.S. Department of Energy. (2023). Developing Infrastructure to Charge Electric Vehicles. Alternative Fuels Data Center. Retrieved May 17, 2023, from <https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/electricity_infrastructure.html>

3The City of New York. (2023). Electric Vehicles. New York City DOT. Retrieved May 17, 2023, from <https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/electric-vehicles.shtml#/find/nearest>

4Krause, S., & Liedtke, B. (2018, November 5). The Four Most Prevalent Myths About Electric Cars. INSEAD Knowledge. Retrieved May 17, 2023, from <https://knowledge.insead.edu/entrepreneurship/four-most-prevalent-myths-about-electric-cars>

5California Air Resources Board. (2021). Electric Car Charging Overview. DriveClean. Retrieved May 17, 2023, from <https://driveclean.ca.gov/electric-car-charging>

6United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2023, February 22). Plug-in Electric Vehicle Charging. EPA. Retrieved May 17, 2023, from <https://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/plug-electric-vehicle-charging>

7Christensen, K. (2021, February 9). As ‘Future You’ Shops, Solar Awnings May Recharge Your Vehicle. Michigan Tech News. Retrieved May 17, 2023, from <https://www.mtu.edu/news/2021/02/as-future-you-shops-solar-awnings-may-recharge-your-vehicle.html>

8Greiner, T. H. (2023). Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Vehicles (AEN-208). Iowa State University. Retrieved May 17, 2023, from <https://www.abe.iastate.edu/extension-and-outreach/carbon-monoxide-poisoning-vehicles-aen-208/>

9U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS. (2023). Average energy prices for the United States, regions, census divisions, and selected metropolitan areas. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved May 17, 2023, from <https://www.bls.gov/regions/midwest/data/averageenergyprices_selectedareas_table.htm>

10San Diego County. (2023). Electric Vehicle Costs & Incentives. SanDiegoCounty.gov. Retrieved May 17, 2023, from <https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/sustainability/ev-consumerguide/costs.html>

11Center for Responsible Business. (2014, August 5). 3 Reasons Why Tesla Can Scale Where Others Have Failed. BerkeleyHaas. Retrieved May 17, 2023, from <https://haas.berkeley.edu/responsible-business/blog/posts/3-reasons-why-tesla-can-scale-where-others-have-failed/>

12Ernie Journeys. Unsplash. Retrieved from <https://unsplash.com/photos/Y3KZtv76Grc>

13U.S. Department of Energy. Alternative Fuels Data Center. Retrieved from <https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/electricity_locations.html#/find/nearest?fuel=ELEC&ev_connectors=TESLA&country=US>

14Tesla charging point Photo by Joseolgon / CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication . Resized and Changed Format. From Wikimedia Commons <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tesla_charging_point.jpg>

15Kindel Media. Pexels. Retrieved from <https://www.pexels.com/photo/city-road-beach-vacation-9800030/>

16johnjakob. Pixabay. Retrieved from <https://pixabay.com/images/id-3088570/>