If you are traveling and want to recharge the battery of your electric car as quickly as possible, you need a high charging capacity. However, this must not only supply the charging station, but also be able to process the vehicle.
Luckily, at Tesla both the charging station and the Supercharger as well as the vehicles themselves are potent in this respect. Nevertheless, there are of course differences between the individual models in Tesla charging performance.
We explain which model can charge how fast and also go into the Tesla Model 3 charging capacity and the Tesla Model Y charging capacity.
Tesla Model 3 maximum charging power
As the cheapest Tesla, does the Tesla Model 3 have to take a back seat when it comes to charging power? Not necessarily. However, the maximum Tesla Supercharger charging capacity depends largely on the variant selected. Incidentally, all Model 3s charge at 11 kW on the domestic AC charger, and the data may also deviate from the mentioned here at third-party stations.
Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus charging power
The "Standard Range Plus" variant, now better known as the "Basic" variant, charges comparatively slowly with a maximum of 170 kW, but also has the smallest battery. However, as is usual with electric cars, this value is not maintained over the entire charging time, but should rather be seen as a peak value. Experiments show that the current Model 3's average charging power of 64 kW when charging from 20 to 80 % battery level (SoC) is significantly lower than the maximum possible. Interestingly, the pre-facelift Model 3 SR+ from before 2021 seems to charge faster, said average value is 82 kW in the experiment. It will be interesting to see how the charging properties of the new Model 3 Highland perform.
Tesla Model 3 Long Range charging power
Tesla is giving the Model 3 "Long Range" version, which has a larger battery than the basic version, a higher maximum charging capacity. Up to 250 kW is possible, for which one of the new V3 superchargers is required. Once again, however, experiments show that this maximum value is only reached briefly at the beginning of the charging process and then falls.
After all, from 20 to 80 % SoC this time average values above 100 kW (2021: 106 kW, pre-2021: 113 kW) are achieved. The Pre-2021 model is therefore also better for the Long Range variant, as it lasts significantly longer at 250 kW.
Tesla Model 3 Performance charging capacity
Like the Long Range variant, the Model 3 Performance charges at the Supercharger with a maximum of 250 kW. As the technology is also identical to the long-range version, it can be assumed that the charging behavior is also the same as the long-range version.
Tesla Model Y maximum charging capacity
The Tesla Model Y shares many parts with its "little brother", the Model 3. It is therefore not surprising that the charging specifications also match - including the discrepancy between the models. The Tesla Model Y AC charging power, i.e. the power at an AC charging station, also remains limited to 11 kW for all variants.
Tesla Y charging capacity: The basic model
As with the Tesla Model 3, the basic version of the Model Y is limited to a maximum charging capacity of 170 kW. However, as several users report, the charging curve is much more stable than with the more powerful "Long Range" and "Performance" siblings.
This is probably also due to the LFP batteries installed in the base model, which enable high charging capacities even at high SoC and which can always be charged to 100% SoC without danger. The US car manufacturer is increasingly installing these LFP batteries in its "Standard Range" versions, including more and more often in the Model 3.
Tesla Model Y Long Range charging power and Performance charging power
The full 250 kW delivered by a V3 Supercharger can be obtained again with the Model Y Long Range and Performance. At least in theory, because this maximum value is again only reached rarely and then only briefly. In the ADAC test, a peak of only 191.5 kW was achieved, with an average of 122.7 kW. This is significantly less than the maximum power specified by Tesla, but still enough for a fast charging experience.
Tesla Model S/X maximum charging capacity
The Tesla Model S charging capacity across the different variants reads like a reflection of battery development over the last decade. From 118 kW (S 60) to 250 kW (current Tesla Model S Plaid charging capacity), everything is included.
Tests show that the current Model S can handle the 250 kW much better than the Model 3 LR or Model Y LR: The maximum value of approx. 10 to 30 % SoC, even at 90 % SoC there is still 50 kW of power available. The average value of 20 to 80 % SoC is 130 kW, which makes Tesla's claim that you can charge 300 kilometers of range in 15 minutes seem quite realistic.
The Tesla Model X charging capacity is also 250 kW today, but older models (before 2021) have to make do with less (up to 190 kW). Since the charging electronics of the X differ only slightly from those of the Model S in the newer models, the actual performance at the charging station should also be similar.
When it comes to AC charging at domestic AC charging stations, Model S and X are better off than Model 3 and Y. In this case, Tesla allows 16.5 kW for its flagship models.
By the way: Did you know that you can adjust the Tesla charging power yourself under certain circumstances? With the Juice Booster you can do just that - you can find it, along with all kinds of other practical accessories, at Teslabs.
Tesla charging power: Conclusion
Depending on which Tesla model and which version you choose, you get between 170 and 250 kW (DC) or 11 and 16.5 kW (AC) charging power. These top values are very good, especially in the DC charging segment, but are sometimes even surpassed by other manufacturers.
However, the Supercharger network continues to lead the industry, supporting such charging services reliably and across the board. Ultimately, however, it must also be said that Tesla is so good in many other areas, such as efficiency, software and safety, that charging performance no longer needs to be a decisive selling point.
How are your experiences at the Tesla charging station? We look forward to hearing about it in the comments!
Source contribution image: Priscilla Du Preez
