What EV Charger Do You Need for a 2019 Tesla Model S?
Forty-eight amps is the magic number. This 2019 Tesla Model S takes a maximum AC charge rate of 48 amps at 11.5 kilowatts. Hooking it up right means getting 38 miles of range per hour of charging. You will hit a full battery from zero in 9.7 hours.
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 9.7 hours |
| Range added per hour (Level 2) | about 38 miles |
| Full charge on a 120 V outlet | about 78 hours |
| Range added per hour (120 V) | about 4.8 miles |
| EPA rated range | 370 miles |
| Energy for a full charge | about 112.0 kWh at the wall |
Why 48 amps and not more
The onboard charger caps out at 48 amps. Buying a larger charging unit does nothing for speed because the car cannot accept more power. A smaller unit only slows down the replenishment rate without saving money on the hardware install. Stick to the recommended 48 amp EVSE to hit the maximum rate. Going lower turns a 9.7 hour turnaround into a much longer wait.
What the install involves
A 48 amp continuous load demands a 60 amp breaker. Hardwiring is mandatory here because no standard household receptacle handles this amperage safely. Copper wire sized for 60 amps must run from the panel directly to the charger. Hire an electrician unless you pull permits and work inside breaker panels for a living.
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 this car use?
- Tesla vehicles use the NACS connector. The Tesla Wall Connector is native, and a J1772 adapter ships with the car for third-party Level 2 units.
- Can I use a regular wall outlet?
- Level 1 charging from a standard household plug delivers 4.8 miles of range per hour. A full battery takes 78 hours this way.
- What is the EPA-rated charging speed?
- The EPA test clocks Level 2 recovery at 31 miles per hour over 12.0 hours. That testing protocol differs from peak real-world vehicle acceptance rates.
- What equipment works best?
- The Tesla Wall Connector matches the vehicle's maximum capability with a 48 amp output and hardwire install. It features a 24.0 foot cable and a native NACS plug.
Other vehicles
Charging times derived from EPA data for the 2019 Tesla Model S (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.