Sending a destination to a Tesla car
The Tesla sat nav has some limitations, waypoints are a recent addition, as are alternative routes. It’s also the case that sometimes where you want to go is already in your diary, it’s the address of somebody in your contacts list, or you’ve found it when looking at google maps and somehow you want to tell the car. To help get that information to your car there are a couple of ways of ways to do so quickly and easily.
Each way require the Tesla app to be installed on the phone and running in the background. Once this is done, the ability to send a destination is either just a few quick clicks on the phone, or a few clicks in the car. The video below covers multiple ways, or we read on for a a description of the steps.
From Google maps
The car has built in google maps but its often easier to locate somewhere on your mobile and you just want to send that location to the car. We are using google maps, but Apple maps works pretty much the same way as will Chrome if there is a share location on a web page.
Locate the destination on your phone in google maps and click share location scrolling across from ‘Directions’ if ‘Share’ is not visible.
After clicking share scroll across the applications as ‘Tesla’ is unlikely to be initially visible.
Then just click ‘Tesla’. The display will say sending and the destination will on its way.
And that’s all you need to do. When you next get in your Tesla, the destination you have sent will be already loaded into the sat nav
From your diary
When using your diary, its a little bit more difficult as you need to do more by way of configuration, but this is a one time activity. The destination also needs to be correctly entered in the phone diary system as the destination.
In the setting for the Tesla app, ensure the calender sync is turned on.
Calender entries need to be set up correctly with the destination set up. In some respects this is the same as locating the destination in google maps but with the benefit of being able to setup several destinations across a number of diary entries.
Once in the car, select the diary, and then select the diary entry for the car to use destination entered.
The diary approach is useful and Tesla are increasingly rolling out options such as navigating to the first destination in the diary for that day when you get into the car. We prefer a little more control than that but its still a great resource. If contacts have an address already set up, you can also just open your phone app, search for the contact, and on the informtion card for the contact in the car you will find the address and a icon which will transfer the address staright to the sat nav.
Other top tips
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A man took his Tesla on a road trip for the first time and tells EV owners to beware of the ‘charging curve’
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- Last month, Ryan Shelton took his 2017 Tesla Model S on a road trip for the first time.
- He drove almost 1,300 miles, from North Long Beach to Burney Falls in California and back.
- He underestimated how much the terrain would affect the battery’s range and has three big takeaways.
Ryan Shelton bought his Tesla a year ago but hadn’t taken it on a road trip until April.
The 27-year-old business owner wanted to see Burney Falls, a 129-foot waterfall in McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park in Shasta County, California.
On April 8, he decided to drive his 2017 Model S with his partner to the waterfall. Fully aware that road tripping with a Tesla would require some planning, Shelton looked at charging points.
The farther from a city, the harder it was to find a Tesla Supercharger. It took them 17 hours to get to Burney Falls, he said, after leaving about 3 p.m. and arriving the next day about 7 a.m.
I had anxiety, actually, Shelton told Insider, referring to when he passed by Dunnigan, California, where the last charger before the campground was. The only chargers were within a 75-minute drive in either direction, he said.
The terrain trap
Shelton’s trip took so long because of the route’s hilly terrain.
I was going through these canyons, so I’m going really, really high uphills and really up and down, up and down, up and down, he said. Because of that, it literally took about 30% of my battery to get to the charger from the campsite.
Shelton added: I ended up doing this terrible dance where I was camping and using camp mode on the vehicle.
Camp mode makes sleeping in the car more comfortable by maintaining temperature and airflow.
I was running that for about eight hours, and the battery lost 20% of its range, he said.
The terrain and camp mode forced Shelton to twice charge his Tesla, which took three hours each time.
Dealing with the terrain and camp mode, I literally couldn’t keep a charge, so I had to keep going to that charger once a day for two days in a row, Shelton said.
He relied on the buffer of his Tesla‘s battery, he said, which allayed some of his concerns when the range was under 50%.
Plan ahead
The further you get out from the city, the higher the chances that your road-tripping experience is going to go more into the negative, or it’s going to be less pleasant, Shelton said.
He added that on their way back to North Long Beach, the journey took only 12 hours because chargers were available more often: I didn’t need to charge the car to 100% because I could get to another charger much more easily.
Shelton advises electric-vehicle drivers to be aware of the charging curve. If you need to ensure your car is 100% full, or you’re worrying about where you’ll next be able to charge, your trip could be longer — and less enjoyable.
Charging is still a bit in its Wild West days
Shelton said he got into a bit of an argument with another driver whom he said had jumped the queue at one Supercharger. There’s no handbook with this, he added.
Despite that hiccup, he said, it was a really fun trip.
Do you have thoughts about driving long distances in an EV? Reach out to this reporter at stabahriti@insider.com or on DM.
Charging Tesla Models
Teslas can be charged at any of the 40,000 electric vehicle charging locations nationwide, including Hertz, Tesla, third-party and public locations. You can also connect to a standard 120V household outlet using the Mobile Connector kit.
Find nearby Tesla Superchargers.
Please return your EV with its battery charged to at least 10%.
If you charge at a Tesla network station, we’ll pass through charging-related fees to the credit card you used to rent your Tesla And if you charge at a third-party charging station, just pay on the spot.
See your EV Rental Terms to learn more.
Locating Charging Stations on the road
Tesla Supercharger stations – the fastest charging option – will automatically appear on the navigation screen. To find all available charging stations:
- Tap the Navigation search bar, then select Charging;
- Use voice command to ask the car’s navigation; or
- Visit afdc.energy.gov or search the Tesla, Plugshare or ChargePoint apps
How do I open the charge port?
The charge port is located near the driver’s side taillight. To open the charge port cover, use the touchscreen or push once on the cover. When using a Tesla charging station, press the charging station connector button and the cover will open. The charge port cover will close automatically when connector is removed.
To charge, remove the charging station connector from its dock, open the car’s charge port and insert the connector into the charge port. When charging is complete, press the connector button until the charge port logo turns white, then remove the connector and return it to its dock.
plugging in at a non-tesla station
Once the charge port cover is open, insert the charging station connector into the charge port. When charging at a non-Tesla charging station, you will need to connect a SAE J1772 adapter, found in the Mobile Connector kit, to the connector before inserting.
Charge port logo color indicators
The charge port logo will flash green while charging and be solid green when charging is complete. If the logo is yellow, unplug the connector and then plug in again. A red logo indicates an issue with the charging station. Move the car to a different dock and try again.
What are the different types of chargers?
There are three different levels of chargers available for Teslas starting with a standard wall plug charger and going up to a Supercharger.
LEVEL 1
Household Plug
Every hour charging adds about 3 Mi.
120v |
18-20 hrs
LEVEL 2
Public Charging
Every hour charging adds about 44 Mi.
240v |
5-7 hrs
SUPERCHARGER
Public Charging
Every hour charging adds about 200 Mi.
480v |
Est. 1 hr
Note: Charge time may vary per location. Public chargers may not produce the same output shown above.
things to know about charging
Please remember to return your EV with its battery charged to at least 10%.
Although free public charging stations exist, most stations charge a fee based on kWH usage, charging time or percentage of battery charged. Just as gas fluctuate, charging fees vary from station to station.
If you charge at a Tesla network station, we’ll pass through your charging-related fees to the credit card you used to rent your Tesla. And if you charge at a third-party charging station, just pay on the spot.
See your EV Rental Terms to learn more.
The touchscreen displays battery charge status, both percentage and time remaining, and will let you know when charging is complete. Additionally, the charge port logo and Tesla charging dock will display solid green.
Model 3 can travel up to 260 miles on a full charge. Model Y can travel up to 330 miles on a full charge. Regen braking, safe driving practices and minimal accessory usage can extend driving range. The battery meter and range are displayed at all times on the touchscreen. You can also use voice command to ask for the battery charge status.
EPA estimate according to Tesla, Inc. product specifications.
You can remain in your Tesla while it charges, but turning the car on and utilizing features such as the Toybox, air conditioning or device charging will cause the car to charge at a much slower pace.
While not impossible, the chance of your Tesla running out of battery power is extremely unlikely. Monitor your charge, plan for your next charging station stop and pay attention to car alerts to avoid a depleted battery. In the improbable event your battery dies, you will need to be towed to a charging station.
The kit comes standard with every Tesla rental and includes a SAE J1772 adapter for charging at non-Tesla charging stations, along with a 20-foot connector cord and a NEMA 5-15 adapter for charging with 120V household outlets.
No; however, we ask you return it with its battery charged to at least 10%
If you need to charge your EV during rental, you may use a Tesla network charging station or a third-party charging station. If you opt for Tesla’s network, we’ll automatically pass through fees to the credit card you have on file with us. If you use a third-party station, just follow the station’s prompts and pay on the spot – similar to how you’d pay for fuel at a gas station.
No – whatever charges you incur at Tesla’s network charging station, we pass through directly to the credit card you used to rent your EV. We do not charge any additional fees beyond what Tesla charges outright.
We will pass through any charging-related fees from Tesla shortly after we receive them. Typically, this takes a few business days.
Beyond the cost of charging outright, you may incur parking or idle fees, depending on where you charge. Fees are determined by the type of charging station you use. Generally, you only pay for charging as long as you disconnect from the charging station and move your car as soon as your charging process completes.
As demand is high for Tesla Superchargers, Tesla charges an idle fee for all Tesla owners or renters if they leave their cars connected to a charging station for a prolonged period once charging completes. Just make sure to disconnect once your car’s charged and move your car – freeing up the charging station for others – and you won’t incur an idle fee. Idle fees do not apply if your car is actively charging. To learn more about Supercharger idle fees, take a look here.
How to use a Tesla Supercharger: a complete guide
Sure, Tesla makes great cars, but one of the biggest advantages to owning a Tesla is being able to tap into its massive charging network. That means that not only can Tesla owners use all of the third-party charging stations out there, but they can also use the tens of thousands of Tesla Superchargers out there.
Of course, you might not want to use non-Tesla chargers if you don’t have to, given the fact that they’re so easy to use. Here’s how to use a Tesla Supercharger.
How to use a Tesla Supercharger
Superchargers are among the easiest chargers to use. Here’s how to do so.
- Park your Tesla close to the Tesla Supercharger station.
- Plug the charging cable into the charging port on your car. Most Teslas hide this port near the driver’s side taillight.
That’s all there is to it. Once you’ve completed these steps, your Tesla will automatically start charging. The station will calculate how much you owe for the charging session, and automatically bill you with the card attached to your account. It’s all very seamless.
How to find a Tesla Supercharger
best EV charging station apps can help you find one from any company, and fortunately, it’s very easy to find a Tesla Supercharger too. There are a few ways to do so, but perhaps the easiest is using the map on your Tesla’s infotainment system.
- Turn on your Tesla and go to the navigation screen.
- Turn on the Supercharger layer, using the icon on the bottom right of the display.
- A list of nearby Superchargers will show up. You’ll also see their charging speeds, and you can filter out any that are too slow if you want.
- Select the charger you want to navigate to, and your navigation system will automatically get directions for you to get there.
Note that if you’re on a road trip, your Tesla will automatically include charging stops on that trip — so you won’t have to worry about remembering to find a station as you go.
You don’t have to wait until you’re in your car to find a charger, either. You could also find one in the Tesla app. Here’s how.
- Open the Tesla app.
- Press the Location button.
- Zoom out to see Superchargers near your car.
- Select a Supercharger on the map to see information about its charging speed and how many chargers are available.
Tesla Supercharger FAQ
How much do Tesla Superchargers cost?
The cost of using a Tesla Supercharger can vary depending on your location and the model of car you own. Generally, however, you should expect to pay between 15 and 30 to fully charge a Tesla.
Some owners of older Teslas still get free charging, but Tesla hasn’t offered that perk in years.
Can other cars use Tesla Superchargers?
Currently not — except for a few pilot programs in Europe. Tesla has said in the past that it will open up the Supercharging network to other cars, but that has yet to happen.
Is it cheaper to charge at home or at a Supercharger?
It is almost always much cheaper to charge your car at home. Depending on your location and car, you’ll be able to fully charge your Tesla for anywhere between 8 and 20. Charging at home is also better for your car, and more convenient if done overnight, or when you wouldn’t be using your car anyway.
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Tesla trip planning. How to plan long distance routes
I do some long-distance trips with my Model S several times a year. But I regularly hear the following or similar arguments when I talk to someone about electric driving when it comes to the topic of long-distance trip planning with a Tesla:
“Electric cars have too little range. They’re only good for commuting and city driving. And anyway: who wants to wait hours on the road until the batteries are full again? So if you want to go on holiday by car, you need a petrol or diesel engine as a second car. To own only an electric car is not possible!”
These are common prejudices, but they are far from reality. Yes, small electric cars have a lower range, which is usually not more than 200-300 km per full battery charge. However, Tesla’s vehicles have a range of about 350 to 550 km per battery charge, depending on the model, and you can easily cope with that. How? I explain this in this article. You might think now: “Only 500 km? With my diesel, I can go much further on one tank of gas. You’re right, of course. But travelling in a Tesla is much more comfortable than most people think. Even Audi as a classic combustion engine car manufacturer uses this video to advertise against the negative prejudices about electric mobility. The rethinking is just beginning.
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How long do the charging pauses last?
Thanks to the Tesla Supercharger Network, the battery can be recharged to 80% in about 30 to 40 minutes on long-distance trips. This amount of power is then sufficient to continue driving until the next Supercharger. So, you take a break of 30 minutes approximately every 300-400 km, which increases the total travel time a little, but experience shows that you reach your destination much more relaxed. And be honest: who drives 800 km unceasingly? Everyone needs food and toilet at some point. Traditionally, you will soon notice that the Tesla charging breaks on long distances don’t seem very long to you because unlike when filling up the tank, you are not busy charging the vehicle, but do other things. If you also take a break from time to time, you drive more concentrated and tire less quickly. This video from Tesla shows very nicely how the navigation system automatically calculates and displays the locations for Supercharging.
An example
The following example of a journey from Basel to Hamburg shows how important the loading breaks are in terms of time. Google Maps calculates about 7 hours without traffic jams for these 800 km without breaks. If you now calculate the journey with a Tesla Model 3 Long Range, the journey time with three charging breaks looks as follows:
This calculation comes from the free travel planner “A Better Routeplanner“. On this website, trips with electric cars can be calculated. The necessary charging stops are calculated automatically and you get an approximate impression how much time you have to plan. In our example, the pure driving time takes about 7 hours and the charging breaks total about 1 hour 15 minutes. Thereby, three breaks of different duration are scheduled. But as the fast charging stations are mostly located at car parks, one could also afford a shorter additional stop at a supercharger to stretch one’s legs without losing much time.
Admittedly, the calculation values also depend on other factors such as wet road (due to rolling resistance), temperature (due to additional power consumption by heating and cooling) or the vehicle model. This example shown is a very optimal example, as temperatures of 20 degrees, dry roads, maximum 150 km/h and the all-wheel drive Long Range Model 3 with a very high range were calculated. These parameters can all be configured in the calculation. But just try it yourself and calculate a few example rides to get a feeling for how long the breaks are. This tool is also useful if you are very safety conscious and want to confirm charging locations in advance when planning a Trip with your Tesla.
I’m planning a Trip with my Tesla to a remote area. Are there enough charging stations?
Tesla is the only electric car manufacturer to have a large comprehensive network of its supercharger fast charging stations throughout Europe. locations are added every month. In addition, thousands of hotels offer a so-called “Destination Charger” charging station. There you can comfortably charge the battery of your Tesla overnight, usually even free of charge. Even if you arrive at the hotel with a flat battery, you can drive on the next morning unceasingly for the next 400-500 km. This is actually even more convenient than a petrol or diesel.
The current overview of Supercharger and Destination Charger locations can be found here. At the bottom of the map you can show or hide the different charging station types. Since the Tesla charging stations come from the same manufacturer as the vehicles, handling is very straightforward. You simply plug in the charging cable and the vehicle will charge. No activation of the station with any charging cards, no roaming fees for billing, no need to bring your cable. Even the currently free number of charging stations at a supercharger location is displayed live on the Tesla’s navigation system.
Planning a long-distance trip with a Tesla is complicated, isn’t it?
On the contrary: the navigation system of a Tesla automatically calculates all necessary charging stops and continuously adjusts this data during the journey. If you drive faster and consumption increases, your vehicle adjusts the calculation and changes the necessary charging stops as required.
Entering a destination in the navigation system is as easy as displaying a route on your mobile phone with Google Maps because the navigation system in the Tesla is based on Google Maps. You only enter the destination, the computer calculates the rest and shows you the planned charging breaks and locations immediately. It looks something like this:
I want to go 200 kilometers an hour. But then the Tesla battery is immediately empty!
You are right! Speeds above 160 km/h are really high on consumption, i.e. the battery is empty faster. But this is not a phenomenon of electric cars. Petrol and diesel engines also need more fuel at high speeds. It just doesn’t stand out because the combustion engines are so inefficient that even when driving slowly, they let most of the energy contained in the fuel go unused.
Finally, in Germany it is (still) up to each individual to decide whether he wants to risk his life and the lives of his fellow human beings by driving at unlimited speed on highways, or whether he wants to arrive at his destination relaxed and at a slightly lower average speed. On the Internet you can find numerous providers who rent out Tesla’s. Just try it: rent a vehicle for the weekend and take a trip and you will find out detailed planning is not needed with your Tesla.
information about long-distance travel with a Tesla can be found in numerous reports on YouTube. From trips to the North Cape and North Africa, everything is included.
You’re new to Tesla? Then you will find here a short overview of Tesla vehicles.
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