What EV Charger Do You Need for a 2021 Tesla Model Y?
Installing a 48 amp Level 2 setup is the correct move for this vehicle. The onboard charger caps power intake at 11.5 kilowatts. Hardware limits dictate the speed.
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 7.7 hours |
| Range added per hour (Level 2) | about 43 miles |
| Full charge on a 120 V outlet | about 61 hours |
| Range added per hour (120 V) | about 5.3 miles |
| EPA rated range | 326 miles |
| Energy for a full charge | about 88.2 kWh at the wall |
Why 48 amps and not more
Matching the 48 amp recommendation draws 48 amps continuously. Feeding this car a larger supply changes nothing because the onboard charger rejects anything past 48 amps. Sizing up wastes money on a bigger circuit. Stick to the 48 amp rating. You get 43 miles of range every hour on Level 2.
What the install involves
A 60 amp breaker feeds this circuit. Hardwiring is mandatory because no household receptacle handles 48 amps safely. Hire an electrician to run copper wire from the main panel to the charge location. Local building codes require a permit and inspection for permanent high-amperage installations.
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 plug does the car use?
- Tesla vehicles use the NACS connector. Tesla's own Wall Connector is native, and a J1772 adapter ships with the car for third-party Level 2 units.
- How long does a full charge take?
- Plugging into a maximum Level 2 source requires 7.7 hours to reach full capacity. The EPA test estimates 10.0 hours because that specific protocol does not run at the car's peak AC rate.
- Can I use a standard wall outlet?
- Level 1 charging from a standard household outlet takes 61 hours for a full battery. It delivers 5.3 miles of range per hour. Daily driving demands a Level 2 circuit.
- What equipment works best?
- The Tesla Wall Connector supplies 48 amps through a hardwire connection. It features a 24.0 foot cable and a native NACS plug.
Other vehicles
Charging times derived from EPA data for the 2021 Tesla Model Y (covering 3 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.