What EV Charger Do You Need for a 2020 Tesla Model S?
A full charge takes 10.1 hours on a 48 amp circuit, which easily refills the 402 miles of range during a standard overnight sleep window. You need a 48 amp Level 2 home charger to hit that speed. Plugging into a standard wall outlet takes 81 hours. Do not rely on Level 1.
The numbers
| Maximum AC charging rate | 11.5 kW (48 A) |
|---|---|
| Charger size to buy | 48 A |
| Circuit breaker required | 60 A |
| Outlet / connection | hardwired (a 48 A EVSE must be hardwired -- no household receptacle is rated for it) |
| Charge port | NACS |
| Full charge on Level 2 | about 10.1 hours |
| Range added per hour (Level 2) | about 40 miles |
| Full charge on a 120 V outlet | about 81 hours |
| Range added per hour (120 V) | about 5.0 miles |
| EPA rated range | 402 miles |
| Energy for a full charge | about 116.2 kWh at the wall |
Why 48 amps and not more
The car accepts 48 amps at most through its 11.5 kW onboard charger. Buying a larger charging unit makes no difference because the car limits the intake. Pushing past 48 amps provides zero speed gains. Stick to the recommended 48 amp equipment. It adds 40 miles of range every single hour.
What the install involves
Wiring this setup requires a 60 amp breaker paired with heavy gauge wire. Hardwiring is mandatory because no household receptacle handles 48 continuous amps safely. Code prohibits plugs for this amperage tier. Hire a licensed electrician to run the line, mount the unit, and inspect the main panel capacity.
Chargers that match this car
Your car has a NACS port. The NACS units below plug straight in; any J1772 unit works with the adapter supplied with the car.
Native NACS plug, no adapter needed.
Dual plug: works with NACS and J1772 cars.
Tesla's own unit. Native NACS, hardwire only.
Worth having as well
Common questions
- What connector does the car use?
- The vehicle uses a NACS connector. Tesla units plug right in without adapters.
- Can I use a standard wall outlet?
- Standard outlets output Level 1 power. They require 81 hours for a full charge and only add 5.0 miles of range per hour.
- Why is the EPA charge time listed as 15.3 hours?
- The EPA test protocol does not run at the car's peak AC rate. Real charging at the maximum 48 amp draw finishes the job in 10.1 hours.
- Do I need an electrician for the install?
- Yes. Hardwiring a 60 amp breaker demands professional expertise to meet local electrical codes and prevent fire risks.
Other vehicles
Charging times derived from EPA data for the 2020 Tesla Model S (covering 5 EPA trim listings). Electrical requirements follow NEC 625.41, which sizes a circuit at 125% of a continuous load. Always have a licensed electrician verify your panel.