What EV Charger Do You Need for a 2025 Tesla Model 3?
| Trim | Accepts | Charger | Breaker |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Range / Performance | 11.5 kW / 48 A | 48 A | 60 A |
| RWD (Standard Range) | 7.7 kW / 32 A | 32 A | 40 A |
Forty-eight amps is the ceiling for the Long Range and Performance trims, while the RWD variant pulls thirty-two amps. You need a dedicated Level 2 setup to skip public chargers. Different trims handle different power levels, so check your window sticker first.
The numbers
| Maximum AC charging rate | 11.5 kW (48 A) on the fastest trim. See the table above for yours |
|---|---|
| Charge port | NACS |
| Full charge on Level 2 (fastest trim) | about 7.8 hours |
| Range added per hour (Level 2) (fastest trim) | about 47 miles |
| Full charge on a 120 V outlet | about 62 hours |
| Range added per hour (120 V) | about 5.8 miles |
| EPA rated range | 363 miles |
| Energy for a full charge | about 89.4 kWh at the wall |
Why 48 amps and not more
Your car pulls 11.5 kW max at 48 amps, or 7.7 kW at 32 amps. Buying a bigger charger than 48 amps wastes money because the onboard hardware caps the intake. Pumping 48 amps into the 89.4 kWh battery gets you a full charge in 7.8 hours. That adds 47 miles of range every hour. The EPA test takes 11.7 hours at 31 miles per hour because regulatory test cycles do not run at the car's peak AC rate.
What the install involves
A 48 amp continuous load requires a 60 amp breaker. National Electrical Code demands hardwiring for this amperage because no household receptacle handles it safely. Hire a licensed electrician to pull permit and run heavy copper wire. The RWD variant demands a 40 amp breaker and matching wiring. Do not guess on wire gauge.
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.
These suit the Long Range / Performance trim at 48 A. If you have the RWD (Standard Range), a 32 A unit is all you need.
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
- Can I use a standard wall outlet?
- Level 1 plugs into a standard 120-volt household outlet. It takes 62 hours for a full charge and adds 5.8 miles per hour.
- What connector does this car use?
- The car uses a NACS connector. A J1772 adapter comes in the box for third-party Level 2 hardware.
- What hardware do I buy?
- The Tesla Wall Connector matches the NACS port natively. It delivers up to 48 amps and requires hardwiring.
- Why does the EPA charge time differ from the peak rate?
- The EPA test does not always run at the car's peak AC rate. That is why the test lists 11.7 hours instead of 7.8 hours.
Other vehicles
Charging times derived from EPA data for the 2025 Tesla Model 3 (covering 4 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.