When thinking about purchasing a new car, most people consider the cost of fuel and maintenance. However, the hidden costs can often be just as expensive, if not more so, than what you directly pay for fuel or services.
For example, how much time do you spend at gas stations or waiting for your car to finish refueling? How much money do you end up spending on repairs as a result of all that stop-and-go city driving? And what about charging times? Do we need to plan our days around having a fully charged electric car?
Fortunately, with Tesla’s release of their Model 3, the answer to all these questions is “not that much”. The following article will explain how long does it take to charge a Tesla and if there are any hidden costs in doing so.
How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Tesla?
The cost of charging your Tesla depends on your energy provider and the electricity rate you have signed up for. If you’re a new or prospective Tesla owner, you can use this guide to find out how much it will cost you to charge your Tesla.
If you use a home charging station, you’ll pay your regular rate for electricity. If you charge at a public station, it’s likely you’ll pay a higher rate, as utilities offer higher rates for cars that are charged during off-peak hours.
What Does It Take to Fully Charge a Tesla?
A fully charged Tesla Model 3 can travel about 350 miles. Depending on how efficient your driving is, this could be anywhere from 250-300 miles. The Tesla Supercharger stations can charge a Tesla Model 3 to 80% in 20 minutes, a Tesla Model S to 80% in 40 minutes, and a Tesla Model X to 80% in 50 minutes. The charging times mentioned above assume that you are charging at a regular outlet.
Hidden Costs When Charging a Tesla
- Electricity: If you charge your car at home, you’ll pay your regular electricity rate. If you charge at a public station, you might pay a higher rate, especially on weekends and during off-peak hours. However, if you charge at a Tesla Supercharger station, it’s free!
- Installation: If you decide to install a home charging station, you’ll have to pay for an electrician to wire your garage.
- Maintenance: Your electrician will also suggest maintenance measures, such as installing GFCI outlets or upgrading your breaker system.
- Wiring: Depending on the house you live in, you may need to rewire your garage for a Level 2 station. If your car is equipped with a Mobile Connector cable that can be plugged into any outlet, you don’t have to worry about rewiring your garage.
- Insurance: If your house is not equipped with the proper surge protection, your car may be at risk of being damaged in the event of a power surge. Your insurance company may require you to install a special device to reduce the risk of damage.
Final Words: Is it Worth It?
Driving an electric car is not only environmentally friendly, but it’s also much cheaper than owning a gas-powered vehicle. However, the initial investment in an electric car can seem high, especially when compared to the price of a car that uses a lot of fuel.
But remember that there are many hidden costs associated with driving a regular car. When you add up all the costs of driving a regular car, you’ll see that the initial investment in an electric car is well worth it.
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