COST GUIDES
How much does it cost to charge a Tesla?
Updated 07/26
Fast Facts
Typical installation cost: Around £700
Wall connector: Tesla Gen 3 costs around £475 (supply only)
Running costs: Home charging is usually cheapest, but the amount you pay depends on your electricity tariff and battery size
Whether you're planning your first Tesla or you've recently bought one, understanding the running costs is just as important as the purchase price.
You'll probably want to know how much it costs to charge at home, whether it's worth installing a Tesla Wall Connector and how Supercharger prices compare.
The answer depends on the size of your battery, how you charge it and the electricity tariff you're on.
Charging at home is usually the cheapest option, particularly if you can take advantage of an off-peak EV tariff.
How much does it cost to charge a Tesla at home?
As a guide, a full charge for a Tesla Model S 100D (100 kWh battery) might cost around £24.86 on a standard domestic electricity tariff.
Smaller models, such as the Model 3 and Model Y, typically cost less because they have smaller battery packs.
If you're on an overnight EV tariff, charging costs can be significantly lower.
Tesla wall connectors make home charging quicker and more convenient than using the standard three-pin plug supplied with the vehicle. If you charge your car regularly, they're usually well worth considering.
Because electricity tariffs change over time, we've used example charging costs to illustrate the typical running costs, alongside current installation costs for Tesla charging equipment.
Tesla wall connector costs and installation
For most homeowners, the biggest costs are buying the wall connector itself and paying for installation.
A Tesla Gen 3 Wall Connector costs around £475, while a Gen 2 Wall Connector sits around £300.
A typical installation costs around £700, although more complex installations can cost more if additional cabling or electrical upgrades are needed.
| Cost provided item | Unit | Range - low | Range - high | Average cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Gen 3 Wall Connector (supply only) | Per unit | £475 | ||
| Tesla Gen 2 Wall Connector (supply only) | Per unit | £299 | £349 | £300 |
| Electrical installation of a Tesla home charger | Per install | £500 | £1,200 | £700 |
| Optional wall connector post/pedestal (supply only) | Per unit | £367 | ||
| Last updated: July 2026 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | ||||
Note: You must be a Tesla owner to buy the wall connectors through Tesla's UK store. The OZEV government grant for home EV chargers does not apply to Tesla wall connectors.
Tesla wall connector costs
Gen 2 Wall Connector
The older model, costing around £300. It's becoming harder to find and doesn't include Wi-Fi connectivity.
Gen 3 Wall Connector
Tesla's current wall charger costs around £475 and includes Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to schedule charging and manage the charger through the Tesla app.
Universal Wall Connector
Designed to work with Tesla and non-Tesla electric vehicles, making it a good choice if your household owns more than one type of EV.
Both Tesla wall connector options (Gen 2 and Gen 3) mount to a garage wall or driveway post. If wall-mounting isn't an option, you can buy a free-standing wall connector pedestal at around £367.
Tesla wall connector installation costs
Once you've bought your wall connector, you'll need a qualified electrician to install it.
Most installations cost around £700, with prices typically ranging from £500 to £1,200 depending on the work involved.
Three things usually have the biggest impact on the final price:
Distance between the consumer unit and the charger location
Whether your existing electrics need upgrading
Any additional accessories, such as pedestal mounting or weatherproof cable protection
If your consumer unit needs replacing before the charger can be installed safely, this will increase the overall cost. For more information, see our guide to consumer unit replacement costs.
Get a quote for Tesla wall connector installation
The easiest way to understand what your installation is likely to cost is to compare a selection of quotes from checked Tesla wall connector installers working in your area.
The more information you can provide about your property, parking arrangements and consumer unit, the more accurate your quotations are likely to be.
Find qualified electricians working in your area
What affects Tesla wall connector installation costs?
No two installations are exactly the same. While many homes are straightforward, some need additional electrical work before the charger can be fitted.
The biggest factors affecting installation costs include:
Distance from the consumer unit
Existing electrical capacity
Consumer unit upgrades
Outdoor weatherproofing
Pedestal mounting where wall installation isn't possible
An installer will usually assess these during a site survey before providing a quote.
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How long does it take to install a Tesla wall connector?
Most Tesla wall connector installations take between two and four hours.
A straightforward installation close to the consumer unit is often completed in a morning. If longer cable runs or electrical upgrades are needed, allow up to a full day.
Your installer will confirm the expected timescale once they've inspected your property.
Tesla Powerwall costs
A Tesla Powerwall is a home battery that stores electricity for you to use later. It can charge using electricity from the grid during off-peak hours or store surplus energy generated by solar panels, helping to reduce the amount of electricity you buy at peak rates.
If you're already planning to install a Tesla Wall Connector or solar panels, it's often worth considering both projects together.
Typical Powerwall costs are:
| Item | Unit | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla Powerwall | Supply | £6,000 |
| Gateway | Supply | £900 |
| Tesla Powerwall 2 + gateway | Supply and install | £8,000 to £10,000 |
| Complex installation | Supply and install | £20,000+ |
| Last updated: July 2026 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | ||
A Powerwall isn't essential for charging a Tesla, but it can help you make better use of cheaper overnight electricity or excess solar energy.
If you're interested in installing one, you can find a Tesla Powerwall installer near you through Checkatrade.
Tesla Supercharger costs
Tesla's Supercharger network is designed for rapid charging when you're away from home. It's usually the quickest way to recharge your car during longer journeys, although charging at home is often the cheaper option for day-to-day use.
Supercharger prices vary depending on:
The charging location
Time of day
Whether you're driving a Tesla or another compatible EV
Whether you have a Tesla charging membership
Before you start charging, Tesla displays the current price per kWh in both the vehicle and the Tesla app, so you'll always know what you're paying before the session begins.
Older Teslas ordered before 15 January 2017 may still qualify for free Supercharging, but newer vehicles pay the applicable charging rate.
If you leave your car connected after charging has finished, idle fees may apply. Any applicable charges are shown in the Tesla app.
How to reduce Tesla charging costs
A few simple habits can make a noticeable difference to your running costs over the course of a year.
Charge overnight if you're on an EV tariff
Schedule charging through the Tesla app
Use solar panels if you have them
Consider adding a Tesla Powerwall if you're installing solar
Keep tyres correctly inflated to maximise efficiency
Charge to around 80% for everyday driving unless you need maximum range
Many owners are surprised how much difference simply switching to an EV-friendly tariff can make over a year.
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Is a Tesla wall connector worth it?
If you regularly charge your Tesla at home, most owners find that a dedicated wall connector is worthwhile.
Charging from a standard three-pin socket is convenient for occasional top-ups, but it's much slower than using a dedicated charger.
A Tesla Wall Connector provides much faster charging and makes it easier to schedule charging during cheaper overnight periods.
For households with more than one electric vehicle, Tesla's Universal Wall Connector is also worth considering because it's compatible with other EVs as well.
Tesla charging cost calculator
The quickest way to estimate your costs is to think about two separate elements: your ongoing charging costs and the cost of installing a home wall connector.
Job Estimate Calculator
This calculator provides a guide price only. For an accurate quote, compare a selection of quotes from checked EV charger installers working in your area.
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Tesla charging cost checklist
Before comparing quotes:
Find a checked electrician for Tesla charger installation
Finding a checked Tesla wall connector installer through Checkatrade is straightforward.
When requesting quotes, it helps to include:
Where you'd like the charger installed
Approximately how far it is from your consumer unit
Whether you think your consumer unit may need upgrading
Which Tesla Wall Connector you've chosen
Whether you're also planning to install a Tesla Powerwall
Comparing a selection of quotes from checked EV charger installers working in your area is the easiest way to understand what's included and find the right installer for your home.
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Tesla charging costs: FAQs
Charging costs depend on your Tesla model, battery size and electricity tariff. As a guide, a full charge for a Tesla Model S 100D costs around £24.86 on a standard domestic tariff, although your actual costs will vary.
No. Only Teslas ordered before 15 January 2017 came with unlimited free Supercharging. After that date, rates will vary depending on the time of day and whether you have a membership.
Installation typically costs £500 to £1,200, with the average around £700. The exact cost depends on how far the consumer unit is from the installation point and whether any electrical upgrades are needed.
Charging at home, particularly on an overnight EV tariff, is usually cheaper than using Tesla Superchargers.
Gen 3 is the current model. It's Wi-Fi-enabled, which lets you control charging and power-sharing through the Tesla app, and it supports non-Tesla EVs with an adapter. Gen 2 is older, cheaper, and harder to source, but it doesn't have Wi-Fi or smart features.
It stores electricity from the grid at off-peak rates or from your solar panels, then releases it when you need it. You charge your Tesla using stored cheap electricity instead of drawing from the grid at peak prices.
EV-specific tariffs such as Octopus Go offer cheaper overnight rates. Some UK providers also offer dedicated EV discounts. Compare the current market when you're ready to switch, as tariff availability changes frequently.
Yes. You can use electricity generated by your solar panels to charge your Tesla directly, or store it in a Powerwall first and use it overnight. Either way, you're reducing your reliance on grid electricity.
On a standard 3-pin socket, a full charge on a Model 3 can take over 24 hours. With a Gen 3 wall connector (up to 44 miles of range per hour), you can fully charge a Model 3 in around five to six hours. Most owners overnight-charge so the car is ready each morning.
Installation typically costs £500 to £1,200, depending on the complexity of the job. Most installs take two to four hours of labour. You'll pay more if extra cabling is needed or your consumer unit needs upgrading first.
Yes. A dedicated EV charger should always be installed by a qualified electrician to ensure it meets current electrical safety requirements.
Only Teslas ordered before 15 January 2017 came with unlimited free Supercharging. Any Tesla ordered after that date pays for Supercharger use.
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