What home charger does the Tesla Model 3 need?
| Model years | Trims | Charger | Breaker |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-2026 | Long Range / Performance | 48 A | 60 A |
| 2021-2026 | RWD (Standard Range) | 32 A | 40 A |
| 2019-2020 | Long Range / Performance, Mid Range | 48 A | 60 A |
| 2019-2020 | Standard Range Plus | 32 A | 40 A |
It depends on the trim. A Tesla Model 3 Long Range or Performance takes a 48 A charger on a 60 A breaker. The rear-wheel-drive Standard Range car, sold as the Standard Range Plus in 2019 and 2020, takes a 32 A charger on a 40 A breaker. The 2019 and 2020 Mid Range is a 48 A car.
Why the amperage matters
The base Model 3 has a smaller onboard charger, rated at 7.7 kW, so a 48 A unit gives it nothing extra. The Long Range and Performance accept 11.5 kW, and on them the 48 A charger matters: a 2026 adds 47 miles of range per hour at 48 A and 39 on a 40 A unit.
Charging time by model year
| Year | EPA range | Level 2, miles per hour | Level 2, empty to full | 120 V, miles per hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 309 to 363 mi | 47* | 7.8 h* | 5.8 |
| 2025 | 298 to 363 mi | 47* | 7.8 h* | 5.8 |
| 2024 | 272 to 363 mi | 47* | 7.8 h* | 5.8 |
| 2023 | 272 to 358 mi | 45* | 8 h* | 5.6 |
| 2022 | 272 to 358 mi | 45* | 8 h* | 5.6 |
| 2021 | 263 to 353 mi | 46* | 7.7 h* | 5.7 |
| 2020 | 220 to 330 mi | 42 to 44* | 6.3 to 7.4 h* | 5.2 to 5.6 |
| 2019 | 220 to 310 mi | 42 to 44* | 6.3 to 7 h* | 5.2 to 5.6 |
Level 2 figures assume a charger that supplies the car's full rate. Where a year shows a range, it spans that year's trims. * Fastest trim. The lower-amperage trims take proportionally longer.
The split has followed trim, not model year. That means a used Model 3 needs the same charger as a new one of the same trim. At full rate the faster cars add 42 to 47 miles of range per hour depending on year and fill from empty in 6.3 to 8 hours.
What the install involves
Tesla's own Wall Connector is the native choice, since every Model 3 has a NACS port, though any J1772 charger works with an adapter. For a 48 A charger the electrician fits a 60 A breaker and hardwires the unit. For a Standard Range car, a 32 A charger on a 40 A breaker is enough, and it can plug into a NEMA 14-50 outlet.
- 48 A charger: 60 A breaker, hardwired, because no household receptacle is rated for a 48 A charger.
- 32 A charger: 40 A breaker, NEMA 14-50 outlet on a 40 A breaker, or hardwired.
- Charge port: NACS. Tesla vehicles use the NACS (Tesla) connector. Tesla's own Wall Connector is native; a J1772 adapter ships with the car for third-party Level 2 units.
Chargers that fit the Tesla Model 3
Smallest adequate unit first. Every amp above what the car accepts is capacity it never uses.
48 A, for the 2021-2026 Model 3 Long Range / Performance; 2019-2020 Model 3 Long Range / Performance, Mid Range
Native NACS plug, no adapter needed.
Tesla's own unit. Native NACS, hardwire only.
Dual plug: works with NACS and J1772 cars.
32 A, for the 2021-2026 Model 3 RWD (Standard Range); 2019-2020 Model 3 Standard Range Plus
No home unit in this list is built at exactly 32 A, so these are the smallest that cover it. The car draws only what it can take.
NACS plug on a NEMA 14-50 outlet.
Native NACS, compact.
Native NACS plug, no adapter needed.
Worth having as well
Common questions
- Does a Tesla Model 3 RWD need a 48 A charger?
- No. The RWD Standard Range car draws 32 A at most, so a 32 A charger on a 40 A breaker is enough.
- Does a used 2019 Tesla Model 3 need a different charger from a 2026?
- Only if the trims differ. A 2019 Standard Range Plus takes 32 A, while a 2019 Long Range or Mid Range takes 48 A, the same as a 2026 Long Range.
- How long does a Tesla Model 3 take to charge from empty?
- About 6.3 to 8 hours for a Long Range or Performance on a 48 A charger. The Standard Range car charges more slowly on its smaller onboard charger.
- How much does a 120 V outlet add to a Tesla Model 3?
- About 5.2 to 5.8 miles of range per hour.
Other models
Range and efficiency come from EPA data for the Tesla Model 3, covering 10 EPA listings across 8 model years. Onboard charger ratings are from manufacturer specifications. Breakers follow NEC 625.41, which sizes a continuous load at 125%. Have a licensed electrician check your panel before buying.