Can Other EVs Charge at Tesla Superchargers? Everything you Need to Know. Tesla compatible chargers

Can Other EVs Charge at Tesla Superchargers? Everything you Need to Know

Teslas continue to grow more and more popular by the day. As such, Tesla Superchargers keep popping up all over the place to accommodate this increased demand for charging stations. However, the ever-increasing number of Tesla Superchargers raises one fundamental question: Can other EVs charge at Tesla Superchargers?

It’s not an outlandish question. After all, Teslas aren’t the only electric vehicles on the road. Not to mention, you don’t often see other EVs with their own branded chargers sprinkled around town as you do with Tesla Superchargers. So, can just anybody pull up and charge at Tesla Superchargers?

The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think. Let’s review the Tesla Supercharger’s history and examine its specs below. Then, we’ll go over each major EV manufacturer below and see whether or not they can charge at Tesla Superchargers.

Tesla Supercharger Specs

History of the Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger stations work to provide high-speed DC (or direct-current) charges directly to a Tesla’s battery. They bypass the vehicle’s internal charging power supply, allowing the Tesla to charge up to 200 miles in as little as 15 minutes. When introduced in 2012, Tesla supercharging stations could only charge two cars simultaneously, delivering a maximum of 150 kW per car. They were also exclusive only to the Model S.

Five years later, in 2017, Tesla introduced a new line of urban Superchargers that were more compact. While this move dropped the Supercharger’s maximum power delivery from 150kW to 72kW, it was still a win for Tesla drivers who regularly commuted to and from cities. By 2020, the Model 3, the Model X, and the Model Y could also use the Superchargers.

A couple of years later, in 2019, the third generation of Superchargers was introduced. Dubbed the V3, these Superchargers upped the maximum power delivery from 72kW to 250kW. This surge in power results in as much as 15 miles of charge a minute. Unlike the V1 and V2, these third-generation chargers deliver peak charging of 250kW whether multiple Teslas are charging or not.

Sharing the Supercharger Network

The question still remains: are Tesla Superchargers exclusive to Tesla EVs or not? It’s something that, for quite some time, even Tesla itself was not too keen on discussing openly.

Ever since the introduction and expansion of the urban Superchargers in 2017, Tesla has reportedly been in talks with rival manufacturers regarding the sharing of the Supercharger network. Not to mention, there have been several occasions — namely during natural disasters — where Tesla has allowed EVs of all kinds to charge at Tesla Superchargers.

Tesla has done this as recently as February of 2022, opening up Superchargers to EVs of all shapes and sizes to those fleeing Ukraine. However, it’s never been made standard. It’s only ever been temporary. That is, until recently.

In November of 2021, Tesla began a small pilot project outside of the U.S. that allowed non-Tesla EV drivers to access the Superchargers via the Tesla app. Some months later, in July of 2022, Tesla announced that they’d be opening up Superchargers to non-Tesla EV drivers across the board by the end of 2022. But who benefits from this move by brand?

Can GM EVs Charge at Tesla Superchargers?

For the time being, GM EVs cannot charge at Tesla Superchargers. The plan is to change once Tesla officially opens up their Superchargers to non-Tesla EV drivers, but if you were to park your GM EV at a Tesla Supercharger today, you’d be out of luck.

However, GM is one of the latest EV manufacturers to join the Plug and Charge movement. In short, Plug and Charge is akin to the Tesla Supercharger but for non-Tesla EV drivers. Drivers can pull up to the charging station, plug in their car, and the charger will conveniently and efficiently recognize the vehicle and charge you accordingly. GM just announced Plug and Charge compatibility in June of 2022.

Can Ford EVs Charge at Tesla Superchargers?

While Tesla Superchargers are not open to Ford’s line of EVs today, Ford has said that they are looking forward to Tesla unlocking their chargers to non-Tesla EVs by the end of the year. In the meantime, Ford EV drivers can charge up at any of the more than 75,000 BlueOval chargers. While the specs don’t even compare to the Supercharger, BlueOval provides a 150kW charge that gives a little over 50 miles in 10 minutes — it’ll just have to suffice for Ford EV drivers now.

Can Hyundai EVs Charge at Tesla Superchargers?

Hyundai EVs have actually been capable of charging at Tesla’s destination chargers even before the recent announcement about the Superchargers. That’s because Hyundai EVs have been compatible with adapters for years now. Even though the Superchargers are Tesla exclusives, Hyundai EV drivers can purchase charging adapters for use at Tesla destination chargers outside popular attractions and locations worldwide. With this in mind, there’s no doubt that Hyundai EVs will be one of the first in line for the Tesla Superchargers later in 2022.

Can Nissan EVs Charge at Tesla Superchargers?

As of this writing, Nissan EVs are not compatible with Tesla Superchargers (though this answer will likely change once the Superchargers are unlocked for non-Tesla EVs). However, Nissan EVs do have a Supercharger of their own called the CHAdeMO. In direct competition with the industry-standard CCS (or Combined Charging System) used by most EV brands, the CHAdeMO fast charger is not very common here in the United States. Still, it’s not impossible to track one down. (With that being said, Nissan has begun to phase out the CHAdeMO in North America, likely in anticipation of access to Tesla Superchargers.)

Can Volkswagen EVs Charge at Tesla Superchargers?

While Volkswagens are not compatible with Tesla Superchargers just yet, there’s no reason for VW EV drivers to worry about missing out on a fast charge. As it just so happens, Volkswagen was the EV manufacturer that created Electrify America: a network of more than 730 fast-charging locations across the country. At these Electrify America fast charging stations, Volkswagen EV drivers can charge up to 80% battery in under 40 minutes.

Non-Tesla EVs and Their Compatible Charging Stations

What About the Tesla Supercharger’s Max Charge Rate?

One final thing to consider is how the Tesla Supercharger’s maximum output might impact certain EVs. After all, what good would a Tesla Supercharger be to your specific brand of EV if your car isn’t built to handle the Supercharger’s output to begin with? Let’s close with a quick overview of each manufacturer’s maximum charge rate and how that compares to the Supercharger’s.

As discussed above, V3 Superchargers deliver a maximum charge rate of 250kW. Across the board at GM, one of their EVs can handle is 350kW. At Ford, the max is 150kW. For Hyundai, it’s only 75kW. Over at Nissan? It’s 100kW. As far as Volkswagen is concerned, its maximum charge rate is 125kW. As you can see, these numbers vary drastically, and none is an exact match with the V3’s max charge rate.

Those with rates above the Supercharger’s max rate can expect a slower charge than they might be used to. Those with rates below the max rate might not be able to handle the Tesla Supercharger, depending on how the manufacturers plan to proceed once the Superchargers are opened up to all. Time will tell how future adapters will adjust for this difference in kW. For now, we can only speculate.

Breaking EV News

June 8, 2023 — Today, Mary Barra, General Motor’s (GM’s) CEO and Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, announced on Spaces that GM EV’s will soon gain access to 12,000 Tesla Superchargers. Another industry giant, Ford, made a similar announcement on May 25, 2023.

Owners of GM and Ford EVs will be able to use an adaptor to charge at the above-mentioned Superchargers at the start of 2024. And both companies will feature Tesla’s North American Charging Standard connector starting in 2025. This move virtually ensures that feature Tesla’s North American Charging Standard connector will become the U.S. industry standard.

Can Other EVs Charge at Tesla Superchargers? Everything you Need to Know FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Does it cost money to use a Tesla Supercharger?

No, Tesla Superchargers are not free. On average, it costs around 25 to completely charge your Tesla at a Supercharger. However, these rates vary depending on available credit, time spent idling at the charger, and so on.

How much will it cost non-Tesla EVs to charge at a Tesla Supercharger?

While no have been listed yet, in Europe — where the pilot program was first tested — non-Tesla EVs were typically charged around twice as much to “fill up.”

How much does Tesla charging cost per year?

Typically, on average, it costs a Tesla driver around 650 a year to charge up their EV. Compare this to an average year of gas fill-ups, which total around 2,250.

When will non-Tesla EVs be able to charge at Tesla Superchargers?

While an exact date has not been set, the White House disclosed that Tesla planned to open up Superchargers to non-Tesla EVs by the end of 2022.

Have non-Tesla EVs ever been able to use Superchargers?

Tesla has opened up Superchargers to all EVs on select occasions, such as during natural disasters in the U.S. or during the recent conflict in Ukraine.

About the Author

Nate Williams

Nate Williams is a technical writer based in the Midwest. He frequently covers EVs, video games, space, science fiction, personal tech, cybersecurity, and the history of technology at large. His interests range from the simplest machines to the most complex creations (and everything in between). Outside of writing, Nate spends much of his free time hanging out with his wife and dog, watching movies, reading books, and trying to find the best dessert spots nearby.

Ford EVs will use Tesla charging tech in surprise partnership between rival automakers

Under the agreement current Ford owners will be granted access to more than 12,000 Tesla Superchargers across the U.S. and Canada, starting early next year.

DETROIT — Ford Motor will partner with Tesla on charging initiatives for its current and future electric vehicles in an unusual tie-up between the two rivals, CEOs of the automakers announced Thursday.

Under the agreement current Ford owners will be granted access to more than 12,000 Tesla Superchargers across the U.S. and Canada, starting early next year, via the use of an adapter. And, Ford’s next-generation of EVs — expected by mid-decade — will include Tesla’s charging plug, allowing owners of Ford vehicles to charge at Tesla Superchargers without an adapter, making Ford among the first automakers to explicitly tie into the network.

The initiatives were announced by Ford CEO Jim Farley and Tesla CEO Elon Musk during a live, audio discussion on Spaces. They come as Ford attempts to ramp up production of its fully electric vehicles in an attempt to catch up to — or someday surpass — Tesla’s sales in the segment.

While Tesla still dominates the EV sector by far, Ford came in second in fully electric vehicle sales in the U.S. last year, notching sales of 61,575 electric vehicles.

Farley said the company is “totally committed” to a single U.S. charging protocol that includes the Tesla plug port, known as NACS. It’s unclear if Ford’s next-gen EVs will maintain the charging ports featured on current models, known as CCS. A Ford spokesman said the company has “this option available to us but have no news to share today.”

from CNBC

A separate Ford spokesman told CNBC that pricing for charging “will be competitive in the marketplace.” The companies will disclose further details closer to a launch date anticipated in 2024.

Tesla previously discussed opening its private network to other EVs. White House officials announced in February that Tesla committed to open up 7,500 of its charging stations by the end of 2024 to non-Tesla EV drivers. Previously the company’s chargers in the U.S. were mostly used by and made to be compatible with Tesla’s EVs.

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In Tesla’s first-quarter shareholder deck, the company disclosed that it has roughly 45,000 Supercharger connectors worldwide at 4,947 Supercharger Stations. The company does not disclose chargers by country or revenue from the devices. It includes revenue from its Supercharging stations under a “services and other” segment.

The Spaces event between Farley and Musk Thursday marks the latest interaction between the two executives, who have a unique rivalry. They have each expressed admiration for the other, despite their companies competing directly.

Ford notably beat Tesla to the pickup segment beginning production of its F-150 Lightning, the electric version of its consistently popular trucks, in April 2022. Ford also heavily benchmarked the Tesla Model Y for its Mustang Mach-E crossover and followed Tesla in price cuts of the electric crossovers.

But Musk, who leads Tesla, SpaceX and. has repeatedly praised Ford as a historic American company, lauding its ability to avoid bankruptcy, unlike its crosstown rivals General Motors and Chrysler during the Great Recession.

Such flattery was prevalent during the Thursday call: “Working with Elon and his team, I’m really excited for our industry and for the Ford customers,” Farley said. Musk later reciprocated the feelings: “It’s an honor to be working with a great company like Ford,” he said.

Farley prodded Musk a bit, asking about the long-delayed new version of the company’s first vehicle, the Roadster. Musk teased a Roadster refresh back in the fall of 2017. He promised it would have a 620-mile range per charge and three motors, among other features.

Today, he reiterated Thursday, the new version of the Roadster is still not even completely designed.

Earlier Thursday, Farley commended Tesla on its charging network during a Morgan Stanley conference, saying that while Ford has created its own charging products for its commercial customers, automakers should consider collaborating on charging infrastructure for the general public.

“It seems totally ridiculous that we have an infrastructure problem, and we can’t even agree on what plug to use,” Farley said, noting that Tesla’s charging plug is different from that used by other automakers. “I think the first step is to work together in a way we haven’t, probably with the new EV brands and the traditional auto companies.”

John Rosevear covers the future of autos, including electric vehicles, self-driving and the ongoing transformation of the global auto industry for CNBC.

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How to charge a non-Tesla at a Tesla Supercharger

If you’re going electric in 2023, you might be wondering what the deal is with Tesla’s Supercharging network. Can you use a Tesla Supercharger if you don’t have a Tesla? It’s a good question and one that has a slightly complicated answer. Until last year, the only cars that could access the Tesla Supercharger network were Teslas. In May, Tesla opened 15 sites around the UK for all compatible cars. ie ones fitted with a CCS connector (which is most electric cars). Unlike most public chargers, Tesla units don’t have screens and can only be used via an app. It all sounds a bit complicated, but follow our guide below and you’ll be making the most of Elon’s electrons in no time.

One of the biggest changes to the UK’s Rapid charging network came into effect in May 2022 when Tesla opened up its coveted Supercharger network to non-Tesla owners. A total of 15 stations and 158 individual Superchargers are part of the pilot in the UK, making it the biggest fast-charging network of the country. If you want to know how to use a Tesla Supercharger, check out Nicki’s video guide.

What is the Tesla Supercharger network?

Tesla operates two types high power chargers in the UK, V2 units with 150kW and V3 units with a power output of 250kW. The newly open chargers represent 25% of the brand’s 650 charger capacity in the UK. The inclusion of the UK in the pilot scheme means that non-Tesla drivers will also have access to opened-up chargers across Europe. Until now, access to these were limited to drivers based in any of the participating countries.

Finding a Tesla Supercharger

If you have a Tesla, the sat nav will guide you straight in, but if you have a different make of car, you’ll need to do a little research and remember that not all Tesla Supercharger sites are open to all. There’s a list of the Superchargers everyone can use at the bottom of this page. In total, there are 15 stations and 158 individual Superchargers. That’s a lot, but this network is expected to grow. So keep an eye on Electrifying.com for the latest updates, or use Tesla’s app to find the one nearest you.

The first thing you’ll need to do is download the Tesla app. Supercharger units don’t accept contactless payments and don’t even have a screen, so all charging has to be done via the app.

Once you’ve downloaded the app, choose the ‘Charge my non-Tesla’ button and locate the site you’re at. The app tells you what facilities there are at the location, the price and how many ‘stalls’ there are available. Now this is an important bit – these will only work with CCS-equipped cars. That basically rules out Nissan Leafs, some Lexus models and early Zoes.

Starting a charge

If you own a Tesla, you just plug in and the charging session starts automatically because the charger will know the car and vice versa. If you don’t have a Tesla, it’s a bit more complicated.

Plug in first, which in some cars is easier said than done. Tesla chargers are designed for use with cars that have a charging port at the back on the passenger side. If your car has the port in a different location, you’ll need to get creative with your parking. It might be impossible to connect without straddling the next bay, which won’t endear you to Tesla owners.

Once plugged in, select the charger number on the app. You can find it written on the stall. usually at the bottom. Then press ‘Get Started’. The app will then take you to a payment page where you enter your credit card details. Press OK and the charging session will start. It can take up to two minutes to connect, but keep an eye on the app in case there’s a problem with starting the charge.

To finish a charge, just press ‘stop charge’ button on the app and the session will end. Return the connector to the holder and you’re done.

How much does it cost to charge at a Tesla Supercharger?

You can get a lower price if you charge regularly by paying a monthly membership fee. That’s currently £10.99 in the UK, and will save you between 10 and 20p per kWh every time you plug in to a Supercharger.

Non-members can still use the chargers, but at a higher kWh price – 60p per kWh is the average. At the Wokingham site where we filmed this video, it was 61p per kWh. However, the next nearest site was in Uxbridge and was only 42p, or 28p with the membership. Bear that in mind it’s worth doing a bit of research if you are doing a trip that will pass two sites.

There is another cost to bear in mind too. if you sit on a Supercharger when you are past a 100% battery capacity, you will be hit with an ‘idle fee’, which can be up to £1 per minute. We think this is great as it encourages people to free up the chargers for all to use.

Can any non-Tesla use a Tesla Supercharger?

Only electric cars equipped with a CCS connector can use a Supercharger. Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Kia EV6 models currently have issues charging when connected to Tesla’s newer V3 units (charging on V2 units works fine). Although the Tesla app doesn’t show which units are V2 or V3, chargers with an output of 250kW are V3.

What Tesla sites are open to non-Tesla drivers?

Open Tesla Supercharger sites as of 6/7/2022:

Folkestone Eurotunnel WokinghamUxbridgeThurrock

Cambridgeshire/Oxfordshire

Manchester Trafford Belford

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Tesla compatible chargers

The Tesla Model 3 is the company’s popular compact saloon and is the cheapest of the Tesla range. While it sits below the Tesla Model S in the line-up, it still promises a long driving range of up to 348 miles (dependant on model). The entry-level car is rear wheel drive which uses a single electric motor, the Performance model has dual motors and four wheel drive.

How to charge the Tesla Model 3

The Tesla Model 3 range uses the CCS charging standard, which consists of a combined AC and DC inlet port. The top portion of the inlet is for the Type 2 connector, which is used when charging at home, or at public slow and fast AC points. Both the upper and lower sections on the inlet are used to carry high power during Rapid DC charging.

In this case, the inlet is a Tesla-specific CCS, which means it can use the Supercharger and Destination charger networks. When using Superchargers, drivers will need to use tethered CCS adaptor, rather than the Type 2 connector from the unit. The Model 3 will be able to charge from Tesla Destination units in the same way as Model S and Model X drivers.

The Tesla Model 3’s CCS charging inlet is found on the rear near-side flank, built into the leading section of the rear light cluster. The Model 3 is able to be slow, fast and Rapid charged from public points, depending on the network and type of charge unit. In most cases, slow charging requires a 3-pin-to-Type 2 cable, and fast charging a Type 2-to-Type 2 cable, one of which is usually supplied with the vehicle. For Rapid charging, the vehicle uses a tethered CCS connector which is part of the charging unit.

The Tesla Model 3 uses two charging standards for its inlets – Type 2 and CCS. The Type 2 inlet is used when charging at home or at public slow and fast AC points. The CCS inlet is used to carry high power during Rapid DC charging from a CCS connector.

Charging on AC or DC requires the EV driver to plug the connectors into the correct inlet, after which the car then ‘talks’ to the charging unit to make sure there is a power supply, that there are no faults, and that it is safe to start charging. If charging at home or at a workplace charge point, the vehicle then automatically starts charging.

On a public charger, an activation process is required to initiate charging. Depending on the network provider, this may involve the use of Zap-Pay, an RFID card or a smartphone app, often linked to an account which has been set up beforehand. Contactless pay-as-you-go units are also becoming more common on newer units. Once activated, the units will conduct further connection and account checks before starting to charge the vehicle.

How long does it take to charge the Tesla Model 3

The Tesla Model 3 is fitted with an 11 kW on-board charger for Type 2 AC charging as standard, in addition to Rapid DC capability. This means that even when connected to a fast charger with a rated output above 11 kW, the Tesla Model 3 will only be able to charge at 11 kW.

The following table shows approximate times to charge the Tesla Model 3. We recommend charging to 80% charge in order to protect the battery and maximise efficiency.

Note that the times shown are only a guide, as very rarely will an EV need to be fully charged from 0%. Other factors that might vary the charging time include ambient temperature, in-vehicle energy loads, any upper and lower charge restrictions to extend battery life and protect against potential damage, and charging rates slowing down as the maximum charge is reached.

Use our Home Charging Calculator to estimate charging times for the Tesla Model 3. The level of battery charge, connector power rating, and on-board charger options can be tailored to your requirements for more accurate results.

How much does it cost to charge the Tesla Model 3

The cost to charge the Tesla Model 3 is primarily driven by the cost of the electricity, which itself varies by the type of charge point and the efficiency of the motor.

Zapmap monitors the cost of charging on a monthly basis. Our charging Price Index shows the weighted average PAYG pricing, based on real charging sessions for the previous three months.

The table below shows these split by power rating.

In general, home charging provides the cheapest per mile cost and public Rapid charging tends to be around double the cost.

To find the cost and times to charge an EV on a public charge point, our Public Charging Calculator calculates charging costs for any new or used plug-in vehicle. The results can be personalised for different electricity costs and the level of charge required.

Charging the Tesla Model 3 at home

To find the cost and times to charge an EV on a public charge point, our Public Charging Calculator calculates charging costs for any new or used plug-in vehicle. The results can be personalised for different electricity costs and the level of charge required. Charging at home is often the most convenient and cost effective way to recharge an EV. Government grants are available to help accelerate the provision of EV charge points in flats and rented accommodation, and a large number of companies offer a fully installed charge point for a fixed price.

Most home chargers are either rated at 3 kW or 7 kW. The higher powered wall-mounted units normally cost more than the slower 3 kW option, but halve the time required to fully charge an EV. Many plug-in car manufacturers have deals or partnerships with charge point suppliers, and in some cases provide a free home charge point as part of a new car purchase. We recommend shopping about beforehand as there are a number of suitable products on the market.

Charging the Tesla Model 3 on the public network

The UK has a large number of public EV charging networks, with some offering national coverage and others only found in a specific region. Major charging networks include bp pulse, GeniePoint, GRIDSERVE, InstaVolt, Pod Point and ubitricity.

Payment and access methods across networks vary, with some networks taking cross-network payment solution Zap-Pay, others providing an RFID card and others a smartphone app to use their services. While most require an account to be set up before use, many Rapid units now have contactless PAYG card readers.

Although some EV charge points are free to use, the majority of chargers require payment. Charging tariffs tend to comprise a flat connection fee, a cost per charging time (pence per hour) and/or a cost per energy consumed (pence per kWh). For more information about network tariffs, visit our public charge point networks guides.

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Which home charger or Level 2 charger should I buy for my Tesla?

You’ve decided that Tesla is the electric vehicle for you, but which home charger should you buy? While Tesla sells its own charging equipment, there are other lots of other options to consider. Here’s a breakdown of how EV charging works and how quickly the different chargers can charge your Tesla so you can decide which charger is the right choice for your needs.

(Almost) Every Tesla has a Level 1 charger

Your Tesla comes with a Level 1 charger that you can plug into a standard 120-volt outlet. It includes a handy carrying bag, 20-foot cable, and an adapter for use at public charging stations that might not otherwise accommodate your Tesla’s unique charging port. A Level 1 charger is the slowest way to charge an EV. On average, it delivers just 4 miles of range per hour, so this isn’t the best solution.

The upside to using this type of charger is that it requires no special equipment, just a typical household outlet. The only added expense you’ll have to worry about is the cost of having an electrician install a plug near where you park if there’s isn’t an accessible plug already.

Update: As of April 17, 2022 Tesla vehicles no longer come with a corded mobile connector and it’s sold separately for 200.

Upgrading to Level 2

A Level 2 charger significantly increases the speed at which you can fully charge your Tesla. These chargers are typically 240 volts and deliver around 25 miles of range per hour. Rather than buying a Level 2 charger, you can purchase Level 2 adapters for your Tesla Level 1 charger directly from Tesla. These plugs come in a variety of styles that work with different 240-volt outlets, so you can take advantage of the faster charging whenever and wherever it’s available.

While this option works, at home you might find it more convenient to leave the Level 1 charger and any adapters tucked away in your vehicle to use only when needed out on the road. Installing a Level 2 charger at home is an easier solution for daily charging rather than bundling up the Level 1 charger and its adapters and tossing all that equipment in your trunk every morning.

Level 2 chargers are available as either plug-in units or hardwired units. A plug-in unit simply requires the appropriate outlet, which is generally a NEMA 14-50 or 6-50. These are the same kinds of outlet that are used to power a clothes dryer. If you already have one installed near where you park, then you’re all set. Otherwise, you should call a licensed electrician to professionally install this outlet to ensure it operates properly.

If you choose to go with a hardwired Level 2 charger instead, then you absolutely need an electrician to do the installation work. This does cost more than having a simple outlet installed, but a hardwired Level 2 charger has its benefits. They’re often a better solution if you have extreme weather conditions like severe snow or rain. They’re also a better choice if you’re concerned about theft since someone can easily unplug a plug-in charger and walk away with it while a hardwired unit poses more of a challenge.

If you’re wondering why the Tesla Wall Connector isn’t the most obvious pick, there are a couple reasons. For starters, the Tesla Wall Connector only works with Tesla vehicles unless you use a Tesla to J1772 adapter. So if you have another EV or PHEV at your home, then the Tesla Wall Connector can’t easily be used on that vehicle. Another reason not to purchase a Tesla Wall Connector is thinking about the future. Are you always going to own a Tesla? What if you decide to purchase an EV that uses the universal J1772 standard?

I personally owned a Model 3 and installed a Tesla Wall Connector thinking that would be the best solution. When I decided to sell my Model 3 and got a Polestar 2, I had to decide what I wanted to do. I either used an adapter every time I wanted to charge at home, or I replace the Tesla Wall Connector with something universal. The adapter did the job for the first few months, but I ended up replacing the Wall Connector with the Wallbox Pulsar Plus. So take it from me, as tempting as it may be to just get a Tesla Wall Connector because you own a Tesla, it might make more sense to purchase a J1772 Level 2 charger and use a J1772 to Tesla adapter to charge your Tesla at home. You just never know what the future may bring, and there are going to be a lot of compelling options on the market over the next few years and beyond.

JuiceBox 40

The JuiceBox 40 is the top pick on our best home EV chargers list, so it’s only natural that it’s also our top recommendation for the Level 2 charger you should buy for your Tesla. It’s one of the most feature-rich home chargers out on the market today, but if you don’t care for all the high-tech features, you can check out our other recommendations below.

This charger is available as a plug-in model or hardwired. As its name suggests, it’s a 40-amp charger offering 7.7 kW and comes with Wi-Fi connectivity so you can control it all from an app. That includes the ability to set and monitor the charger, controlling when to start or end charging remotely. Convenience is another reason to opt for the JuiceBox 40, as you can schedule your charge time, ideally when rates are the lowest. The company includes a three-year limited warranty and each charger comes equipped with a 25-foot cable.

The JuiceBox is also available in 32- and 48-amp models.

Wallbox Pulsar Plus

Depending on how well the Wallbox Pulsar Plus performs in my long-term review, it may become my top pick for home EV charger recommendations. Its extremely compact body makes it easy to install at any location and it has a separate nozzle holster and cable management, so you can customize the installation based on your needs. The Pulsar Plus is available with a NEMA 14-50 plug for 40-amp power, or you can purchase a 48-amp hardwired variant.

The app works pretty well once you have it setup, and you can adjust amperage on the fly. Notifications can be a bit finicky, and the Bluetooth connection did have some issues with my particular phone (Pixel 7 Pro). But as an EVSE, the Wallbox Pulsar Plus has worked flawlessly. I particularly like the high-quality connector on the charger and that it’s NEMA Type 4 rated so you can safely install it outdoors. My only real complaint is that I wish the 25-foot charger cable was thicker. While I don’t have to deal with extremely cold temperatures, I do imagine it may be an issue if you live somewhere that sees freezing conditions.

Electrify Home HomeStation

I had the opportunity to borrow the Electrify Home HomeStation for testing purposes and came away impressed by its packaging and stylish design. Unfortunately, after seeing just how compact the Wallbox Pulsar Plus, I find the HomeStation to be a bit too large for my liking. But design is subjective, and some of you may hate the way the Pulsar Plus looks and love the way the HomeStation looks.

It comes from Electrify Home, the home division of Electrify America. Yes, the same brand with thousands of public EV chargers across the U.S. This is a Smart, Wi-Fi-enabled charger that has adjustable amperage from 16 to 40 amps when plugged into a NEMA 14-50 outlet. You can remotely control the charger through an app, which worked well enough during my testing. My biggest grievances with the charger was the inability to control the lighting and I didn’t receive any notifications once my vehicle was done charging. Both these issues could be addressed in the future with software updates, however.

Electrify Home provides a three-year limited warranty with this EVSE, which is pretty standard across most quality manufacturers. It’s got a hefty charging cable, but the connector isn’t the best I’ve held. I also was not a huge fan of the two-piece design for the nozzle holster — seems overengineered for no real good reason.

Tesla Wall Connector

The Tesla Wall Connector is a hardwired Level 2 charger that requires professional installation. You can choose to order the unit and hire your own electrician do the work, or you can choose to have a Tesla installer do the work as a package deal when you purchase the charger. This unit is approved for indoor or outdoor installation and is compatible with the Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y.

Depending on exactly which Tesla you own and how its configured, you can get up to 44 miles of range per hour. You can also customize the power level provided by your Tesla Wall Connector for circuit breakers as low as 15 amps all the way up to a maximum of 60 amps. This charger includes an 18-foot cable and features Wi-Fi connectivity.

Recent updates

Updated (12:24 p.m. EST, 04/18/2023): Added Best Buy shopping links to our recommendations.

Updated (8:40 p.m. EST, 04/14/2023): Added a Best Buy shopping option for the Tesla Wall Connector.

Updated (2:00 p.m. EST, 04/03/2023): The Tesla Wall Connector is now available on Amazon, so we added a shopping link for convenience.

Updated (1:57 p.m. EST, 03/07/2023): Updated the list of recommendations based on recent testing of home EV chargers. Added more information on why you shouldn’t go straight to purchasing a Tesla Wall Connector just because you own a Tesla.

Updated (2:00 p.m. EST, 06/07/2022): Added a new top pick for a Level 2 charger recommendation. Updated content to reflect that Tesla is no longer including a mobile connector as standard.