Charging speeds explained
Charging speed is measured in kilowatts (kW). The higher the number, the more energy goes into the battery each hour. A 150 kW charger can, in theory, add 150 kWh in an hour, though no Tesla charges at its top speed for long.
The charging curve
A Tesla charges fastest when the battery is low and warm. As it fills, the car slows charging down to protect the battery. This is the charging curve, sometimes called taper.
- 10 to 50%: fastest. Long Range cars can briefly reach up to 250 kW at a V3 or V4 Supercharger.
- 50 to 80%: speed falls steadily.
- 80 to 100%: slow. The last 20% can take as long as the first 60%.
That is why road trips are quicker with short stops: arrive low, charge to what you need for the next leg, and go.
How fast each charger is
| Charger | Typical power | Range added per hour (Model 3 or Y) |
|---|---|---|
| 3-pin socket | about 2.3 kW | 7 to 9 miles |
| Home or street AC charger | 7 kW | 25 to 30 miles |
| Three-phase AC charger | 11 kW (a Tesla's AC maximum) | 35 to 45 miles |
| Rapid charger | 50 kW | about 150 miles |
| Ultra-rapid or Supercharger | 150 to 250 kW | peak rates of 500+ miles, falling as the battery fills |
Range per hour is approximate and lower in winter.
What limits the speed
The car takes the lowest of: the charger's maximum, the car's maximum for that battery, and what the battery can safely take at its current charge level and temperature. A cold battery is the most common reason for slow rapid charging. See Preconditioning.