What EV Charger Do You Need for a 2024 Tesla Model S?
You need a 48 amp Level 2 home charging setup to fill this battery overnight. The car accepts up to 11.5 kW through its onboard charger. A smaller supply will slow down the replenishment cycle. Feed it the maximum current it can handle.
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 42 miles |
| Full charge on a 120 V outlet | about 77 hours |
| Range added per hour (120 V) | about 5.2 miles |
| EPA rated range | 402 miles |
| Energy for a full charge | about 111.4 kWh at the wall |
Why 48 amps and not more
The 111.4 kWh battery pack requires 9.7 hours to go from empty to full at the peak 48 amp rate. Pushing more current won't help because the car's internal hardware caps input at 48 amps. Buying a larger charging unit is a waste of money. The vehicle recovers 42 miles of range for every hour connected to a 48 amp supply. Lesser hardware cuts that speed down immediately.
What the install involves
Code requires a 60 amp breaker for this 48 amp load. Hardwiring is mandatory because household receptacles cannot handle a continuous 48 amp draw. Run heavy copper wire sized properly for the 60 amp breaker. Hire a licensed electrician to pull the permit and complete the panel connection. Do not attempt this work yourself unless you hold a trade license.
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
- Can I plug this car into a standard wall outlet?
- Level 1 charging works on a standard household outlet, but it takes 77 hours to reach a full battery. You get 5.2 miles of range per hour of charge time. That speed is too slow for daily driving needs.
- Why does the EPA charge time show 15 hours?
- The EPA test protocol does not run at the car's peak AC rate. Real-world Level 2 equipment at 48 amps finishes the job in 9.7 hours. Trust the peak rate math for daily planning.
- What connector does the car use?
- The charge port uses the NACS connector standard. Tesla's Wall Connector connects natively without any adapters. Third-party Level 2 units require the J1772 adapter that ships in the trunk.
- Do I need a 48 amp breaker for a 48 amp charger?
- No, continuous load regulations require a 60 amp breaker for a 48 amp continuous draw. This prevents overheating in the wiring run. Always follow the National Electrical Code requirements.
Other vehicles
Charging times derived from EPA data for the 2024 Tesla Model S. Electrical requirements follow NEC 625.41, which sizes a circuit at 125% of a continuous load. Always have a licensed electrician verify your panel.