As of 2019, the Tesla Model 3 is the most popular electric car in Australia (and worldwide). It is available in three variants based on different drivetrain configurations and battery pack options (two), designed to meet different needs and budgets. These are summarized in the below table. The base model, known simply as the Model 3 or the rear-wheel drive (RWD) version, starting from $65,500, is the cheapest and by far the most popular variant.
Tesla Model 3 Key Specifications
| Rear-Wheel Drive | Long Range AWD | ||
| Batteryuseable | 57.5 kWh | 75.0 kWh | |
| RangeWLTP | 513 km | 629 km | |
| EfficiencyWLTP | 112 Wh/km | ||
| Charge Power (AC) | 11 kW | 11 kW | |
| Fastcharge Power (DC) | 170 kW | 250 kW |
How and Where to Charge a Tesla Model 3
Tesla Model 3 Charging Station, Port and Plug Type
CCS is the Tesla Model 3’s charging port standard, which combines a DC and AC inlet, with the Type 2 connector located at the top. AC charging is available at home, at work or at public charging stations (such as in shopping centers).
A public charging station using fast/rapid DC is equipped with both upper and lower sections on the inlet for supporting the high power output. Located on the left rear side of the vehicle is the Tesla Model 3 CCS charging inlet.
It is possible to charge the Model 3 from public charging stations either slowly, quickly, or rapidly.
- It is usually the car that comes with a three-pin cable to a Type 2 cable that is needed for slow charging.
- The AC charging stations in public places have tethered Type 2 connectors or may require Type 2 to Type 2 cables.
- CCS connectors are part of the charging unit used for rapid DC charging.
1. Find a public charging station for fast and rapid chargers
You can use PlugShare to find any public electric vehicle charging station in your area. This site displays a map as well as descriptions and ratings from check-ins. Some people believe that tesla won’t charge at supercharger, it’s not true.
Chargefox or Evie Networks apps make it easy to check whether charging stations are in-service by using the inbuilt maps found in the Model 3 or by using charging providers’ apps like Chargefox or Evie Networks.
2. Connect charging cable to car
If you are driving up to the charger, make sure your vehicle’s charging port, located on the left rear side, is nearest the charging spot. You might need to drive in or reverse into the charging spot to do this.
You will need to take advantage of the charging holsters available at each stall. Once you reach the stall, open the Model 3’s charging flap and any other caps, and make sure it is firmly plugged in. Be aware about charging cable safety.
3. Confirm charging has started
Tesla Superchargers allow you to charge by simply plugging in and charging and the amount will be charged to your Tesla account automatically.
For other charging providers, you can use their app or use an RFID card to be able to activate the charging session. On some charging stalls, you may need to press a start button to begin charging.
With the Model 3, you will be able to see the charging status on the station’s display, the vehicle’s driver instrument display, or the vehicle’s mobile app after a few seconds of communicating.
How Long Does it Take to Charge a Tesla Model 3?
There are two factors that affect how fast a Tesla Model 3 can be charged: its battery pack size and how it can be charged.
There are two battery pack sizes available for the Tesla Model 3:
- Tesla Model 3 RWD has a battery capacity of 57.5 kWh; and
- In the Long Range and Performance versions of the Tesla Model 3, the battery capacity is 75 kWh.
Level 1 and 2 Charging (slow)
Level 1 and 2 charging involves connecting your phone to a power outlet or mounting a charger. This is typically done at home, at work, or in a car park at a shopping center.
A three-phase power supply and charger are needed to charge the Model 3, which can be found in public car parks or business premises. The onboard charger can charge at a maximum of 11 kW, depending on the power supply in your home. Because most homes have single phase power supplies, the maximum power you can draw from the charger is ~7 kW.
Tesla Model 3 RWD
When using a portable charger and a standard 10A power socket, charging a Model 3 RWD will take 26 hours. The charge time will drop to under 6 hours when using a wall charger with 16A power.
Tesla Model 3 Long Range and Performance
Model 3 Long Range / Performance batteries can be fully charged in 32.9 hours when using a portable charger and a standard outlet with 10A power. A wall charger with 16A power will reduce charging time to 7.2 hours when equipped with 16A power.
Tesla Model 3 AC Charging times
Car parks, homes, businesses, and charging stations – charging from 0% to 100%
Based on the Tesla Model 3’s fast AC charging options, the time required for a full charge is as follows.
| Portable Charger10A | 1-phase | Wall Charger16A | 3-phase | ||||
| Rear-Wheel Drive | Long Range AWD | Rear-Wheel Drive | Long Range AWD | ||
| Charger output ⚡ | 2.4 kW | 22.0 kW | |||
| Time to charge ⌚ | 25.2 hrs | 32.9 hrs | 5.5 hrs | 7.2 hrs | |
| Charge speed 🚀km/hr added | 21 km | 20 km | 98 km | 92 km | |
It is estimated that these charging times will be different from the actual times based on the specifications provided.
Level 3 Charging (fast, rapid)
Tesla Model 3 RWD
The Tesla Model 3 RWD supports a maximum DC charging power of 170 kW DC, chargers with a power output greater than this will be throttled to this limit. According to the charge test performed below, the Model has an average charge power of 77 kW DC.
It takes just 28 minutes for a Tesla Model 3 RWD to be charged from 10% to 80% at a fast/rapid DC charging station.The Tesla Model 3 has a long range of 353km, as well as high performance.
Chargers with higher output than 250 kW DC will be throttled to this limit with the Tesla Model 3 Long Range / Performance. Charge power for the Model over a charging session is 103 kW DC, as measured in the following charge test.
Using a fast/rapid DC charging station, a Tesla Model 3 Range / Performance can be charged between 10% and 80% in 32 minutes, providing a range of 438km.
In general, it is recommended that rapid chargers limit charging to 80% in order to maintain battery health.
Tesla Model 3 DC Charging times
Public DC Fast chargers (10-80%)
Based on different fast DC charging options, time required to charge the Tesla Model 3.
| Charger output ⚡ | 50 kW | 350 kW | |||
| Rear-Wheel Drive | Long Range AWD | Rear-Wheel Drive | Long Range AWD | ||
| Time to charge ⌚ | 51 min | 66 min | 28 min | 32 min | |
| Charge speed 🚀km/hr added | 424 km | 398 km | 757 km | 821 km | |
The charging times listed here are estimates based on specifications. Actual charging times may differ.
You should keep in mind that the times shown are only a guide. There are several other factors that will influence the charging time of your car, including: temperature, state of charge, charger compatibility. If you wish to receive a personalized estimate for your car, please use the Zecar EV charging calculator.
Tesla Model 3 Charging costs
Comparison across different options
Cost to charge a Tesla Model 3
| Gridflat tariff | Fast Chargeraverage | ||||
| Rear-Wheel Drive | Long Range AWD | Rear-Wheel Drive | Long Range AWD | ||
| Rate ($/kWh) | $0.30 | $0.70 | |||
| Per 100 km | $3.54 | $3.77 | $8.26 | $8.79 | |
| Full Charge(513 km) | $18.16 | $23.68 | $42.37 | $55.26 | |
To fully charge a Tesla Model 3 RWD, the grid will cost $16 (at $0.30/kWh) and the supercharger will cost $37 (at $0.69/kWh). The range is between 450 km and 490 km.
To fully charge a Tesla Model 3 Long Range and Performance will cost between $21 (grid @ $0.30/kWh) and $49 (supercharger @ $0.69/kWh), providing between 514km and 614km of driving range.
The Zecar EV charging calculator enables you to calculate charging times and costs for any EV using any charge method. The results can be personalized based on electricity costs and the level of charge needed.
What is the Recommended Charge Level for a Tesla Model 3?
A Tesla Model 3 RWD’s lithium-ion battery pack uses the LFP chemistry that Tesla recommends charging at least once a week. The maximum charge limit should also be set to 100%.
According to the Tesla Model Y owner’s manual, the daily charge limit should be set at 90% for the Model 3 Long Range and Performance variants, which use a different chemistry called NMC. By doing so, the battery’s degradation will be minimized and its longevity will be preserved.
It should not cause significant degradation to the battery to occasionally charge the car’s battery to 100% to maximize its range for longer trips.
Tesla Model 3 Charging at Home
Most portable and wall-mounted charging stations equipped with a type 2 plug are compatible with the Tesla Model 3.
You can purchase the Tesla Mobile Connector (a portable charger) directly from Tesla’s website for $550. This is a popular option for quick and convenient setup that can use regular electrical infrastructure (10A socket).
You can purchase Tesla’s Wall Connector directly from the company’s website for $750 if you’re looking for faster charging speeds.
Taking longer to charge at home may lead to a less significant degradation of the battery.
Tesla Model 3 Charging using Public DC charging stations
All major charging networks and public chargers can be used to charge the Tesla Model 3. Many Tesla drivers will use the Supercharger network for fast charging. With Tesla’s Supercharger network, you don’t have to open an app for payment, as Tesla recognises your vehicle and makes the payment automatically. The other advantage is that you can plug, charge and go.
You can download apps from all the main public charging providers listed in this guide.
By using fast charging excessively, you may accelerate the degradation of your battery. Fast charging produces a lot of heat, which can damage your battery.
Charging a Tesla Model 3 Bottom Line
The Tesla Model 3 is one of the fastest charging electric cars, providing relatively fast charging speeds both through AC and DC fast chargers on its way to the front of the line. Check our fastest charging car list to see how the Model 3 compares to other electric cars.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best charging strategy for the Tesla Model 3?
Using the following table, we show the approximate time it takes to finish charging the Tesla Model 3. It is recommended that you charge your Tesla to 80% charge in order to maximize battery life and efficiency. Note that these times are only guides as you will very rarely need to fully charge an electric vehicle from 0%.
How often do I charge the Tesla Model 3 to 100%?
You may have the new Tesla LFP Lithium Iron Phosphate battery, which Tesla recommends charging at least weekly to 100%. You must confirm this in your owner’s manual. This is the opposite of the original LCN Lithium Cobalt Nickel battery, which will lose range very rapidly if charged too often. Yes, March 24, 2023
Should you charge a Tesla to 80 or 90?
The smartest thing to do when charging is to stop at 80% and then get back on the road instead of waiting for the battery to charge completely. As a result, you can maximize the time you have available to you. For example, if your electric car has 300 miles of range when fully charged, then it can go about 240 miles at 80%.
Should I charge my Tesla every night?
The battery should be charged every evening if your utility offers low overnight electricity rates. If you do not have a utility that offers low rates, you may want to set up your charging schedule to coincide with those lower hours.
