Tesla Motors Club
| Charging Source | Technical Details | Max power | Required to use it |
| Household outlet | NEMA 5-15 outlet 110V, 15A Must draw 12A or less (you can only draw 80% of rated outlet capacity for a continuous load) Note that there is a similar NEMA 5-20 110V 20A outlet that you can plug in to, but Tesla does not allow you to pull more than 12A unless you buy a separate adapter for it so they can be sure they are on a 20A circuit. | 1.3kW (up to 3mph) | 5-15 adapter is included with the Model S Mobile Connector 5-20 adapter is available from Tesla. |
| J1772 "Charging station" | J1772 EVSE An EVSE is similar to an outlet, but safer. 240V. Typically 30A delivered on a 40A breaker. (Spec allows up to 80A delivered on a 100A breaker; that makes it equivalent to a Tesla Model S HPWC, below). Any plug-in vehicle in the US since 2010 should be able to use these. The Tesla Model S can, with an included adapter. The Tesla Roadster, released before the standard was finalized, requires a separate $650 adapter. | 7.2kW (up to 22mph) assuming 30A. But a few are at 19.2kW like an HPWC; so see below for specs on that. | Adapter is included with Model S. J1772 plugs into the adapter, which plugs in to the car. |
| Campground 50A outlet | NEMA 14-50 outlet 240V, 50A Must draw 40A or less (you can only draw 80% of rated outlet capacity for a continuous load) Big RVs use these at RV parks to run air conditioning and other electrical loads in the RV. Do not confuse this with a 30A campground outlet, which is only 110V! | 9.6kW (up to 29mph) | Adapter is generally included with the Model S Mobile Connector; but if you have a different 240V outlet in your garage to charge the car, you may get that adapter instead, and then you would have to buy this one. |
| Tesla Roadster HPC | Tesla Roadster EVSE An EVSE is similar to an outlet, but safer. 240V 90A breaker; 70A delivered (if 90A is not available, it can be installed at a lower level) The Tesla Roadster is the only car that can use these EVSEs (except a Model S with an appropriate adapter from Tesla). | 16.8kW (up to 50mph) | A $650 adapter from Tesla. HPC plugs in to the adapter, which plugs in to the car. You must also have Twin Chargers to use more than 10kW. |
| Tesla Model S HPWC | Tesla Model S EVSE An EVSE is similar to an outlet, but safer. 240V 100A breaker; 80A delivered (if 100A is not available, it can be installed at a lower level) The Tesla Model S is the only car that can use these EVSEs. | 19.2kW (up to 58mph) | Plugs directly in to the Model S. But you must have Twin Chargers to be able to use more than 10kW. |
| CHAdeMO Charger | CHAdeMO standard DC Charger Can be up to 65kW, but most installations are at 48kW This is a real charger, not just a power supply. It talks more directly to the battery than an EVSE. But the car still has to talk the protocol. The Nissan Leaf and the Mitsubishi i are currently the only cars in the US that can use these chargers. | 48kW (up to 144mph) | An adapter from Tesla. They are “working” on one for $1,000; availability probably very late 2013. Will also require the Supercharging option (which is standard with 85kWh, optional on the 60kWh). |
| Tesla Supercharger | Tesla’s proprietary DC Charger This is a real charger, not just a power supply. It talks more directly to the battery than an EVSE. The Tesla Model S is the only car that can use these chargers. | 120kW (up to 300mph) | Plugs directly in to the Model S, if the car is Supercharge capable. Standard on 85kWh models, optional on 60kWh models. |