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If you own a Tesla, you have two options for charging your electric vehicle on the go. You can use either a Destination Charger or a Supercharger.
But what is the difference between these two chargers and which one is best for you? And should you choose one over the other? let’s find out
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What is a Tesla Destination Charger?
A Tesla Destination Charger is a wall mounted charging unit as shown in the image above. These chargers use alternating current (AC) to power your electric vehicle. With a destination charger, you can charge your car for a few hours or overnight, be it in a restaurant, hotel, mall or anywhere else.
Tesla’s target chargers can provide your vehicle with a range of up to 44 miles per hour, although sometimes that can be as low as 30 miles per hour depending on your location.
The best thing about Tesla Destination Chargers is that they are basically free to use. We say “basically” because while the cable itself is free to use, the destination you are at may charge you for parking for the duration of your charge period.
Alternatively, some locations may require you to be a paying customer in order to use the chargers. For example, if you want to use a Tesla charger in a restaurant, the owners may only allow you to use it when they’re getting food.
It’s also worth noting that in August 2022, Tesla announced that it would be offering a paid service through its Wi-Fi-connected wall connector. However, this is only offered to locations with six or more Destination Chargers.
There are nearly 4,000 Tesla Destination Charging locations in the US and over 1,000 in the UK. So if you live in these countries, there’s a good chance you’re close to a destination charging station, especially if you’re in a city – although destination charging stations can also be found in some rural areas.
If you are unsure of where to find a destination charging location in the US, you can refer to Tesla’s Destination Charging website showing each location on the map. Tesla also offers a similar map for the United Kingdom and countries in the European Union.
What is a Tesla Supercharger?
As the name suggests, Tesla Superchargers can charge your vehicle much faster than Destination Chargers. These chargers provide direct current (DC) power to the electric vehicle battery. You may have seen these chargers at one of your local gas stations as they are becoming more common alongside traditional fuel pumps.
There are different versions of Tesla’s superchargers, with the latest being the V3 model. This charger can provide a maximum power output of 480V (or 250kW per hour). In less than an hour, you can charge your electric vehicle by over 80% with Tesla Superchargers. In fact, you can add up to 75 miles of range in just five minutes! So it’s undoubtedly the more convenient option over Destination Chargers.
However, unlike Destination Chargers, Tesla Superchargers are not free. But there is also no specific price that customers have to pay as a lump sum. In fact, Tesla Supercharger prices can vary from station to station, not just region to region.
It currently costs around $0.50/kWh in the US to charge an EV with a Supercharger. However, prices can fluctuate above or below this number. In California, for example, Tesla has increased supercharger prices multiple times. At peak times, customers could end up paying as much as $0.57/kWh.
In Great Britain, on the other hand, things are much more expensive. For example, if you own a Tesla EV or subscribe to Tesla’s membership plan (for a fee of £10.99/month), you’ll pay around 50p/kWh. But if you’re not part of this membership plan or don’t own a Tesla EV, that price increases to 60p/kWh.
But maybe you’re lucky here. Any Tesla car bought before 2017 can be charged completely free of charge. Yes, that’s even with a supercharger. So if you are an early adopter, you can save money on charging your electric vehicle.
It’s also important to remember that the cost of Tesla superchargers is likely to increase over time as electricity prices rise around the world. Supercharger rates have already increased multiple times, so there’s no doubt they will continue to do so in the future.
There are currently over 40,000 Tesla Superchargers in various countries around the world including the US, UK, Canada, India, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany and Japan. If you live in a Supercharger-supported country, there’s likely a Tesla Supercharger near you.
If you are in the US, you can use Tesla’s Supercharger card to find your next station. Tesla also offers a similar card for UK and EU residents. Alternatively you can visit supercharge.info to view Tesla Supercharger locations worldwide.
Destination vs Supercharger: Which is Better?
The answer to this question is very dependent on the circumstances. If you just need to juice up your EV a bit and the location you’re in doesn’t require much or anything to use the target chargers, this is the best option for you – especially if you have the time to spare.
However, a Supercharger would probably be a better choice if you’re looking to top up most of your EV’s battery capacity and time isn’t on your side. If the company providing a Destination Charger requires you to pay a large sum in some other way (e.g., by buying a meal), you probably won’t get a great deal.
Of course, if you bought your Tesla before 2017, your first choice should be the Supercharger, as you can charge your car for free in less time. Overall, the Tesla Supercharger is probably the best option when it comes to speed.
Use Tesla charging stations when you travel
When you’re away from home and need to add some juice to your EV, you might be in close proximity to a Tesla Destination Charger or a Supercharger.
While not always free, both serve as a convenient way to keep your EV powered while you drive, whether for a few minutes or a few hours.
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