Charging Your Tesla: How Much Does It Cost and How to Save Cost?

Charging Your Tesla: How Much Does It Cost and How to Save Cost?

Are you thinking about joining the Tesla family? One important advantage of electric vehicles is that they save significantly on fuel costs when compared to gasoline-powered cars. In Canada, electricity is considerably cheaper and cleaner than gas. However, before you make the shift, you may ask how much it truly costs to charge a Tesla at home, and how long it takes. And if there are some money-saving strategies you can use for charging an EV?

This article covers all you need to know about charging your Tesla at home, including charging speeds, rates in different provinces of Canada, as well as important factors influencing those costs. We’ll also explore some smart strategies to help you save money on your Tesla’s charging needs.

Tesla Charging Options

Charger Types

There are several Tesla models available, as well as varying charging options. These options offer a range of charging speeds, impacting how long it takes to fully charge your battery. Here’s a breakdown of the different charging levels for Tesla:

Level 1 (120-Volt or 240-Volt): This is the standard household charging cable that comes with your Tesla. This is the slowest option, with a charging rate of approximately 4.8 kilometres per hour. A complete charge may take up to 20 hours. This is ideal for occasional use or topping off your battery if you don’t drive every day.

Level 2 Home Charger (240-Volt): This charger offers a faster charging rate, delivering approximately 70 kilometers per hour. It’s a good option for home and public charging stations. Since it uses high voltage, professional installation by an electrician is required.

DC Fast Charger: These chargers are commonly found along highways and offer a significant boost in charging speed, ranging from 50 kW to 350 kW. Higher kW ratings translate to shorter charging times. You can achieve a range of up to 160.9 kilometers in just 30 minutes using a CHAdeMO adapter.

Supercharger: This is the fastest charging method offered by Tesla. Superchargers can deliver an estimated range of 321.8 kilometers in just 15 minutes, making them ideal for long road trips.

Factors Impacting Charging

Batteries work most efficiently within a specified temperature range, much like your phone’s battery depletes faster in cold temperatures. According to studies, temperature has a substantial impact on Tesla vehicles’ battery efficiency. 

Therefore, your Tesla’s range is likely to be reduced during the colder months when compared to warmer seasons. While Teslas have integrated heaters to keep the battery temperature at an appropriate level, and it is important to note that the energy needed to heat the battery is distinct from that used for propulsion.

Charging Time

The time it takes to charge a Tesla depends on the battery capacity and charging wattage. For example, using an 11.5 kW home charger, a Standard Range Model 3 with a 50 kWh capacity will take about 4 hours and 20 minutes to charge. Models with a capacity of 100 kWh will require around 8 hours and 41 minutes. Using a Supercharger at a local charging station can dramatically accelerate these charging speeds.

Charging Your Tesla: How Much Does It Cost and How to Save Cost?

The Cost of Charging Your Tesla 

Charging a Tesla at Home in Different Provinces Across Canada

Contrary to popular assumption, Tesla vehicles use surprisingly little electricity, despite their advanced capabilities. A Tesla electric vehicle uses around 34 kWh of electricity each 160 km. With a charging efficiency of approximately 94% and a discharge efficiency of 90%, the electricity required by a Tesla battery is astonishingly low, relieving concerns about substantial utility costs.

The actual cost of charging your Tesla at home depends on various factors, including:

Telsa Model and Battery Size: Different Tesla models come with varying battery capacities. Larger batteries will naturally cost more to charge from empty to full.

Electricity Cost per kWh: Electricity rates fluctuate depending on your location and provider. Charging costs will be higher in areas with high electricity rates.

Here’s a table that shows the estimated costs for charging your Tesla with various Tesla models in different Canadian provinces. These projections are based on Tesla Model 3 battery combinations of 82 kWh and 60 kWh, as well as Tesla Model Y, S, and X batteries of 100 kWh each.

Table: Tesla Model Charging Costs (CAD)

Provinces

Model 3 (60-kWh Battery)

Model 3 (82-kWh Battery)

Model Y

Model S

Model X

Ontario

$4.44 – $9.06

$6.07 – $12.38

$7.40 – $15,10

$7.40 – $15,10

$7.40 – $15,10

Quebec

$4.38

$5.99

$5.99

$7.30

$7.30

British Columbia

$7.96

$10.88

$10.88

$13.27

$13.27

Alberta

$8.10

$11.07

$11.07

$13.50

$13.50

New Brunswick

$6.83

$9.33

$9.33

$11.38

$11.38

Newfoundland & Labrador

$7.41

$10.12

$10.12

$12.35

$12.35

Manitoba

$5.59

$7.65

$7.65

$11.38

$9.32

Nova Scotia

$5.57 – $12.34

$7.62 – $16.87

$7.62 – $ 16.87

$9.29 – $20.57

$9.29 – $20.57

Northwest Territories

$18.36 – $42.10

$25.09 – $57.53

$ 25 – $57.53

$30.60 – $70.16

$30.60 – $70.16

Nunavut

$18.60 – $37.20

$25.42 – $50.84

$25.42 – $50.84

$31.00 – $62.00

$31.00 – $62.00

Prince Edward Island

$7.13 – $8.95

$9.74 – $12.23

$9.74 – $12.23

$11.88 – $14.92

$11.88 to $14.92

Saskatchewan

$8.82

$12.06

$12.06

$14.71

$14.71

Yukon Territory

$7.28 – $8.39

$9.95 – $11.47

$9.95 – $ 12.23

$12.14 – $13.99

$12.14 – $13.99

These tables provide a starting point for costs of charging your Tesla, but it’s important to consider these additional factors that can influence your charging costs:

Charging Time: Electricity providers frequently provide lower rates during off-peak hours. Scheduling sessions to charging your Tesla around these periods can result in significant savings.

Source of Electricity: If you’re using eco-friendly solar power to charge your Tesla, you’ll significantly reduce your electricity costs compared to relying solely on the grid. Consider installing a home solar system or utilizing a community solar program.

Tesla Supercharger and Public Chargers

When you’re on the go, you’ll need to use public charging stations to charging your Tesla. Fortunately, Tesla offers a well-established Supercharger network that allows you to easily find these charges using the Tesla app or your vehicle’s infotainment system

Tesla offers several rates and discounts for its Supercharger service from time to time. For example, they had offered a free one-year trial to new Model 3 buyers or free charging from the referral program. Tesla charges typically hover around 26 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), while actual costs vary depending on the charging station’s power capacity.

If you’re not using a Tesla Supercharger, public chargers are also available. However, keep in mind that some of these chargers may require a special adapter to connect to your Tesla.

Rates for public chargers typically vary between different companies.  Some charge you per kWh, while others, such as Quebec’s Electric Circuit grid, charge by the minute or hour. Typically, EV owners in Canada currently pay no more than $20.00 to charge their vehicles on public chargers.

Tesla Charging vs. Gasoline Costs

Comparing the cost of charging your Tesla with traditional gasoline expenses, electric charging proves to be more cost-effective. At today’s average gasoline price of $164.5 in Ontario, and the average tank can carry between 45 to 65 litres of fuel, filling up an automobile tank would cost around $50 to $75. Assuming a fuel economy of 10 km per litre for city driving, a full tank would deliver 450 km of range.

Driving the same distance in a Tesla, on the other hand, would cost roughly $20, saving you more than 40%. It’s vital to remember that these calculations are based on current national averages, which may change over time.

Smart Strategies to Save on Tesla Charging Costs

Here are some clever tactics to keep your Tesla’s charging costs in check:

Utilize Off-Peak Charging: Take advantage of lower electricity rates during off-peak hours. Most utilities offer off-peak windows at night or on weekends. Program your Tesla to charge during these times to maximize your savings.

Explore Free Public Charging Stations: Several public locations offer free charging stations, such as shopping malls or workplaces. Take advantage of these stations when possible to reduce your reliance on home charging.

Consider Solar Power: Investing in a home solar system can significantly reduce your charging costs in the long run. While there’s an initial upfront cost, the savings on electricity bills over time can be substantial.

Optimize Your Driving Habits: Certain driving habits can drain your battery faster. Maintaining moderate speeds, avoiding excessive acceleration, and employing regenerative braking will help you improve the efficiency of your battery and lengthen your range between charges.

Take Advantage of Rebates and Incentives: Many governments and utility companies provide rebates and incentives for installing home EV chargers or purchasing electric vehicles. Explore relevant programs in your area to help offset some of the initial expenditures.

Compare Electricity Providers: Electricity rates can vary significantly between providers. Research different plans and consider switching to a provider with competitive rates for electric vehicle charging.

Maintain Your Battery: Proper battery maintenance habits, such as avoiding extreme temperatures when charging, will help your Tesla’s battery last longer and perform more efficiently.

Charging your Tesla at home is a simple and affordable way to keep your electric vehicle running. Understanding the variety of charging options, and cost variables, and implementing smart saving strategies will help you improve your Tesla charging experience and keep your electricity costs under control. 

Whether you’re an experienced EV driver or just getting started with electric vehicles, this comprehensive guide will help you navigate Tesla charging options, pricing, and smart savings tips. Welcome to the world of electric mobility!

Read More:

The Most Popular EVs In Canada for 2024

EV Charging Security: Is Your Electric Vehicle Charger Safe?

The 11 Best Car Apps and Tools For Car Buyers in Canada

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