Tesla Model S and Tesla Model X batteries run at nominal voltages of about 375 volts and 350 volts, respectively. Tesla Roadster batteries are rated around 480 VDC. The Tesla battery pack’s nominal voltage is low enough that it can be conveniently charged with a common 100-250 VAC outlet found in homes throughout the world.
This blog post will address how many amps does a Tesla car need to charge? When charging a Tesla Roadster, the car only draws as many amps as are available (due to National Electric Code). In general, battery size varies between approximately 50 KW for the standard range Model Three or below) all the way up to 100KW for Tesla S models. No Tesla battery is charged to its full capacity for technical reasons. Tesla batteries are charged to a state of about 60% or 75%.
Tesla battery packs use modules containing cells with printed circuit boards that combine low voltage (approximately 350 V) from many cells into the high voltage (about 375 V). The module is then welded shut, encased in steel and aluminum, but remains thermally coupled to the Tesla’s cooling system through an electric fan on top of the pack. In total, Tesla produces more than 850 million such cells annually at its Gigafactory near Reno, Nevada. These Panasonic-made nickel cobalt aluminum oxide batteries have been specifically optimized for their demanding automotive applications: they’re made not only with higher density but also with slightly smaller cells, to fit Tesla’s car designs.
The cells are also made at Tesla-owned subsidiary Tesla Energy, which means that any future Tesla cars will be powered by these nickel cobalt aluminum oxide batteries as well (first because it reduces weight over time and also maximizes packaging efficiency inside the car’s design; secondly to save money on manufacturing costs without compromising range or performance).
Tesla’s motors are rated at a nominal 450 hp, but Tesla is more conservative about the power ratings of its batteries. Tesla battery packs store roughly 80 kWh of electricity and the Tesla Model S gets an EPA-rated range of 265 miles per charge. In contrast, Tesla Roadster has 288 HP and can go up to 244 miles on one charge. Tesla Model X (starting price: $79,500) offers 75 kWh worth of storage capacity for a slightly reduced range in comparison to the Tesla Model S ($69,000). The newest member of the family – the Tesla Model Y SUV – has 200 miles as its base version with 220 horsepower motor inside which gives it approximately 300-mile driving capability depending on the terrain you’re traveling across.
Lithium-ion cells are what Tesla battery packs and Tesla car batteries use to store energy. Tesla uses 17,000 lithium-ion cells for a nominal voltage of 350 V in its Model S pack, translating to about 90 kWh of capacity. Lithium-based chemistries have the highest specific energy (energy density) per unit weight or volume because they can supply more power than any other rechargeable cell with their lower electrode potentials.
Tesla recommends using a NEMA 14-50 outlet to charge your Tesla. Cable length affects charging speed, not Tesla battery life. Tesla recommends using a NEMA 14-50 outlet to charge your Tesla, so you’ll need either a CCS to Tesla adapter or EV extension cord if the one supplied with your Tesla is too short for where you’re parked (Tesla recommends that all Model S cars have at least one 220 volts 50 amp charging cable – as well).
The best NEMA 14-50 home charger for Tesla is a 240 V/40 amp circuit, which can recharge the battery in about 20 hours. A 50 kW wall box could do this in 13 hours (assuming you don’t have any power limitations). Remember that charging your Tesla at only 30 amps takes twice as long – 40 hr, and so on up to 100 amps taking only four hrs but requiring 150% more electricity than a standard home outlet.
The company also offers a commercial/retail electric vehicle car charger that can charge up to 16 cars at once (charging time is determined by the number of vehicles) and costs $30,000-$60,000 depending on configuration requirements.
Charging stations, in general, have been proliferating across the United States as more drivers adopt EVs. For instance, there were just 76 registered EV chargers nationwide in 2008 but now there are over 30,000 – with about 70% of those being private or locally owned. Charging an average 20 kWh battery would take about seven hours.
All in all, Tesla’s batteries are the most efficient in the world. Tesla is constantly working to improve their battery technology and has one of the highest energy densities available because it uses lithium-ion cells. Tesla range calculator estimates that you need to use about 50 kW of power for a Tesla Standard Range Model’s battery.