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Tesla Model Y Home Charging Guide

Tesla Model Y Performance at EVchargerReview garage
Tesla Model Y Performance. Photos by Michael Kim.

Updated March 29, 2024, by Michael Kim

The Tesla Model Y is on track to become the best-selling EV in the world. This wildly popular crossover SUV from Tesla ticks all the right boxes in performance, efficiency, space, and fun.

With new reservations of the Model Y no longer including a Mobile Connector for Level 2 charging, many new owners are looking for options for charging at home. Based on our hands-on testing and research, we’ve rounded up our favorite home charging solutions for the Tesla Model Y.

Why trust us? We have hands-on testing experience with the most popular EV charging products.

Tesla Model Y Charging Fast Facts

EV Charging ConnectorTesla / NACS
Battery Capacity67 – 82 kWh
Level 2 Charging Power11 kW
Level 2 Max Amps48 A
Level 2 [20-80%] Charge Time4 – 5 Hours
Level 3 Peak Power254 kW

Level 3 Supercharging Curve

Tesla Model Y DC charging curve at V3 Supercharger

Tesla Wall Connector Gen 3 (48 Amp)

Tesla Wall Connector charging Model Y

The most obvious choice for Model Y charging at home is Tesla’s own Wall Connector charging station. The latest 3rd generation home charger is Wi-Fi connected and supports up to 11.5 kW charging speeds, that is 44 miles of range added to the Model Y every hour. (60 amp circuit breaker is required to get the whole 11.5 kW)

The Tesla Wall Connector seamlessly integrates with the Tesla app and ecosystem. (Like the ability to open the Model Y’s charge port with a button on the charger handle) The Wall Connector allows the user to restrict charging to only Teslas, or even specific VIN Teslas. This is especially useful for outdoor installations. Also, more than one Wall Connector can be networked to enable ‘Power Sharing’ to avoid overloading the main electrical panel.

Wall Connector on Wall
Wall Connector working with Tesla Model Y

Why Consider Third-Party Home Chargers?

The Tesla Wall Connector is the best choice for most Model Y owners. However, third-party chargers offer interest features. For example; the Wall Connector must be professionally hardwired, but many third-party chargers come with a plug for NEMA 14-50 outlets.

Specs

  • Amperage: Up to 48 amps
  • EV Connector: NACS + J1772
  • Home Connection: Hardwire
  • Cord Length: 24 feet
  • Weatherproofing:
    NEMA 3R
  • Networking: Wi-Fi
  • App Control: Yes

Pros

  • Quality cord, easy to manage
  • J1772 and NACS in connectors in one product
  • Smart cord management

Cons

  • Hardwire install only
  • Plastic enclosure means only a NEMA 3R rating

ChargePoint Home Flex (50 Amp)

ChargePoint is one of the first non-Tesla EVSE manufacturers to offer a native NACS (Tesla) connector. You can charge Tesla cars without additional adapters with the Home Flex.

At the higher end of home chargers, the Home Flex can deliver up to 50 amps to your EV, and the Model Y maxes out at 48 amps on AC. The companion ChargePoint app allows drivers to schedule charging sessions when electricity is the cheapest.

Compatible with most EVs on the market, the ChargePoint Home Flex is our top choice for most EVs with larger-capacity batteries, like the Model Y. The ChargePoint Home Flex is a top seller on Amazon, and for good reason.

Specs

  • Amperage: Up to 50 amps
  • EV Connector: J1772 or NACS
  • Home Connection: NEMA 14-50, 6-50, or hardwire
  • Cord Length: 23 feet
  • Weatherproofing: NEMA 3R
  • Networking: Wi-Fi + BT
  • App Control: Yes

Pros

  • High-quality cord material
  • Many plug-in installation options
  • Alexa/Google Home integration
  • EnergyStar certification

Cons

  • Only one Home Flex can be paired to an account
  • The product is heavily dependent on the app

Full Home Flex Review

EVIQO Level 2 EV Charger (48 Amp)

EVIQO charger and Model Y

If you’re looking to spend around $400 for a fully featured home charging station, the EVIQO product is hard to fault. This US-based startup surveyed over 1000 EV owners to understand user needs before developing this impressive product.

Long cords, quality connectors, and highly polished software make the EVIQO EV charger a good choice for users who want to control their charging sessions and understand their charging expenses. One of only a few downsides is that the cord pliability in cold ambient temperatures is less than ideal.

Specs

  • Amperage: Up to 48 amps
  • EV Connector: J1772
  • Home Connection: NEMA 14-50 or hardwire
  • Cord Length: 25 feet
  • Weatherproofing:
    NEMA 4
  • Networking: Wi-Fi + BT
  • App Control: Yes

Pros

  • Long input and output cables
  • Great app with scheduling and cost reporting
  • Metal J1772 clasp and release tab

Cons

  • The cord is durable but the thickness can make it more difficult to handle
  • The J1772 holster makes the cord stick out from the wall

Full EVIQO Review

Wallbox Pulsar Plus (48 Amp)

Wallbox Pulsar Plus 48 amp for Tesla Model Y

At just 7.8″ x 7.9″ x 3.9″, the Pulsar Plus from Wallbox is one of the most compact charging stations that can handle 48 amps. For homeowners who care about the aesthetics of their garage space can opt to hardwire their Pulsae Plus using the input knockout in the rear of the device for a clean look.

The Pulsar Plus can match the speed of the Tesla Wall Connector at 48 amps but has the benefit of charging other non-Tesla J1772-equipped EVs. We like the build quality and fully features app, but wish the external cord holster was better.

Specs

  • Amperage: 40 and 48 amp versions
  • EV Connector: J1772
  • Home Connection: NEMA 14-50 or hardwire
  • Cord Length: 25 feet
  • Weatherproofing: NEMA 4
  • Networking: Wi-Fi + BT
  • App Control: Yes

Pros

  • Compact, attractive design
  • Reputable brand
  • Durable J1772 connector

Cons

  • The external cord holster design could be better

Full Pulsar Plus Review

Emporia Smart Level 2 EV Charger (48 Amp)

Emporia charger for Model Y

If you’re looking to get into smart home automation with programmable switches and devices, the Emporia EV charger can be a good companion product. The Emporia app can manage their EV charging station as well as all of their other home energy products.

We really liked the high power output (48 amps hardwired, 40 amps over NEMA 14-50), and the highly durable single-piece metal charge cord holder. Most competing brands include a cheap plastic cord holder in the box. Installation and app configuration were relatively easy as well.

Specs

  • Amperage: Up to 48 amps
  • EV Connector: J1772
  • Home Connection: NEMA 14-50 or hardwire
  • Cord Length: 24 feet
  • Weatherproofing:
    NEMA 4
  • Networking: Yes
  • App Control: Yes

Pros

  • Lower cost than competitors
  • Emporia app connectivity and scheduling
  • High-quality metal charge plug holder

Cons

  • The charge cord is shorter than the competition
  • The charger enclosure box is made from plastic

Full Emproa Review

How We Tested

After testing dozens of Level 2 charging units, we narrowed it down to six products for your consideration. Our test bench has a NEMA 14-50 outlet for quick charger swapping, but hardwired units like the Tesla Wall Connector were adapted to work with a plug using a spare NEMA 14-50 cord. (This is not recommended for permanent installations) Each product listed above was tested by us for at least two weeks.

More on Amperage and Model Y Charging Speeds

The Tesla Model Y is able to accept up to 48 amps of current at 240 volts on level 2 home charging. When you multiply those two figures together you get 11,520 watts, or 11.5 kilo Watts. (kW) This should be fast enough to fully charge a 75 kWh battery in about 7 to 8 hours from zero to full.

There are some caveats to these maximum speeds. When using a “plug-in” style charger with a NEMA 14-50 or NEMA 6-50 plug, the maximum power you can draw from the wall is 40 amps. A hardwired installation of a capable home wall charger is required to pull the full 48 amps.

In addition, your home needs a powerful enough circuit breaker to supply the EV charger’s needs. As a hard rule, an appliance should only draw a consistent 80% of the circuit breaker’s capacity. Therefore a 50 amp circuit breaker is required for charging at a steady 40 amps, and at least a 60 amp circuit breaker is required to charge at 48 amps. However, even if your household wiring is not up to the task, almost all EV chargers are able to be configured with a lower limit.

Here is a helpful table from Tesla with Level 2 charging speeds, circuit breaker requirements, as well as expected ranger added per hour.

How many miles of range are added per hour at different charging speeds on the Tesla Model Y?

Frequently Asked Questions about charging the Tesla Model Y

What is the battery capacity of the Model Y?

The Model Y Long Range and Performance trims come with a battery capacity of around 82 kWh, and ~75 kWh of that is usable. A standard-range AWD variant with 4680 cells is also currently being produced at Giga Texas, this version is widely thought to contain 67 kWh (~60 kWh usable).

What charger comes with the Tesla Model Y?

New Tesla cars purchased after April 17, 2022 will not include any charging hardware, but the buyer will be given the option to add a Mobile Connector or home Wall Connector. You can also explore some third-party home charging recommendations from us at www.evchargerreviews.net.

How do I know if I am supposed to receive a free Tesla “Mobile Connector” charger?

Reservations made after April 17, 2022 will not include a free Mobile Connector for Level 1 and Level 2 charging. It must be purchased separately, or users can opt to upgrade and buy a dedicated home charging station like the ones above.

Should I charge the Tesla Model Y to 100%?

Tesla recommends setting a charging limit of 80-90% for day to day charging, and only going above that threshold for long trips when you really need the full range. The battery chemistry inside the Model Y battery may degrade faster if it spends a lot of time near 100% or 0% state of charge. The software on the charging screen makes it easy for the user to set up a charge limit.Tesla Model Y charge limiter screen

Does wheel size affect range on the Tesla Model Y?

Yes, the Long Range Model Y with the 19-inch wheels is EPA-rated for 330 miles of range. While the same car with larger 20-inch wheels is only rated for 318 miles. The 21-inch wheels of the Performance trim further reduce the range down to 303 miles.

How much does it cost to charge a Model Y at home?

If your off-peak electricity rates are around 13 cents per kWh like many locations in the US, then you can expect a full battery charger to cost around $10.26. This is assuming 75 kWh usable battery capacity and a 95% charging efficiency. Note that you would very rarely actually need to charge from zero to 100%, a 20% to 80% charging cycle is more representative of typical usage.

How fast can the Model Y charge at home?

The car is able to receive up to 11.5 kW of power on Level 2 AC when using a powerful enough charger. This should translate to roughly 44 miles of range gained per hour.

Can you charge a Tesla Model Y at home with 110V?

Yes, this is technically possible with the Tesla Mobile Connector or any other compatible charger. 110V charging is considered Level 1 charging, and only gains about 3 miles of range per hour. For most people a Level 2, 240V home charging system is recommended so the Model Y is ready to drive at the start of every day. Level 1 Charging

How much range can I get with an overnight Level 1 (110v) charger?

In our own 12 hour overnight charging test, the Model Y Long Range gained 14 kWh and 18% on Level 1. This adds about 60 miles of indicated range, but it’s more like 45 miles of highway driving.

Where is the charging port located on the Tesla Model Y?

Like on all Teslas, the Model Y has a charging port in the driver’s side rear corner of the car, integrated into the tail light assembly.Charging port location, tesla model Y.

Can the Model Y really charge at 250 kW on Level 3?

Yes, the Tesla Model Y will regularly boost to 250 kW at V3 (and V4) Supercharging stations if the car preconditions the battery prior to arrival, and if the battery state of charge is around 15% or lower. As you can see from our charging curve chart, the 250 kW speed is short-lived and typically throttles down to 200 kW past 20-25%. Still very fast charging for road trips.

Why not just use Superchargers all the time?

The obvious benefit of having a home EV charger is convenience. But the health of the high-voltage battery should also be considered. Level 3 DC fast charging stations like Superchargers pump a lot of energy into the battery quickly, and this produces a lot of heat. When a battery spends extended periods of time at high temperature and/or at a high state of charge percentage, it can degrade quicker than a battery that is primarily charged slowly. Bjorn Nyland has an interesting video about battery degradation of a Tesla that was almost exclusively Supercharged.

How much does Supercharging cost?

Pricing will vary by location and time of day. Expect to pay between 25 and 50 cents per kWh, and a typical charging stop on a road trip might add 40 to 50 kWh with a Long Range Model Y. So charging stops between $10-$25 are most common.

What makes EVchargerReviews.net experts on home EV charging? We get the product shipped into our garage lab and test each charging station for a minimum of two weeks before we can recommend a product.

Testing home charging stations for the Tesla Model Y.

Additional Tesla Articles and Resources