Electric vehicles are a relatively recent entry into the automobile industry. Hence EV charging stations are not as abundant as gas fueling stations. However, Tesla ensures that its customers’ needs are taken care of.
Currently, Tesla has over 4500 destination charging stations all across the US. Hence, Tesla owners don’t need to worry about their EV’s battery life when traveling for longer durations.
What is Tesla Destination Charging?
Tesla destination charging stations are supercharging outlets located across the country for public use. These stations allow Tesla drivers to charge their electric vehicles upon arrival.
Tesla has installed their destination charging stations in popular public locations and along well-traveled roads for consumer convenience.
One can find these destination charging stations outside restaurants, malls, hotels, etc.
A Tesla driver can choose to connect their Tesla to a destination charger for a complete overnight charge or a few hours. It all comes down to how much time they can allocate to this.
Why Did Tesla Introduce Destination Charging Stations?
People enthusiastic about advanced transportation technology and protecting the environment have no reservations regarding shifting to Tesla.
These individuals enjoy the futuristic design and low running costs. However, many people are hesitant about shifting to a Tesla due to their range anxiety.
These individuals fear that their EV battery might die during a trip. As a result, they might get stranded, away from any charging source.
Hence, to address this concern, Tesla has invested a lot of effort and resources into developing destination charging stations.
Over the years, Tesla has installed 4500 destination chargers across the US.
Check How Much Time Does It Take to Charge a Tesla
How Can Tesla Drivers Locate Destination Charging Stations?
The Tesla Destination Charging Webpage helps consumers locate a destination charging station.
The webpage contains links to different global sites that will help consumers charge their EVs when on the road.
The sites include all the destination charging stations’ exact locations and addresses. Before hitting the road, one can locate a station through these web pages and top off their EV battery.
Apart from visiting the website, the Tesla electric vehicles are designed to scout out charging stations for the driver. The Tesla EV display touchscreen can help locate all nearby destination charging stations.
When a Tesla electric vehicle’s battery drops below a certain point, the locating mechanism is activated. The display screen starts notifying the driver about nearby destination charging stations.
The display touchscreen enables the Tesla driver can check the traveling distance to the nearest destination charger.
Moreover, it also highlights the total range/battery charging needed to reach the nearest destination charger.
A Tesla owner also has the liberty to use the Tesla mobile app to learn about various destination charging station locations on their route.
This information is extremely useful while planning a road trip as drivers can choose the routes with sufficient charging options.
Tesla has more than 4500 destination charging stations installed in different parts of the US. The Tesla destination charging stations account for almost 30 to 40% of the total EV charging stations in the US.
Moreover, Tesla destination charging stations are spread across over 10,000 resorts, restaurants, hotels, etc., across the globe.
This widespread abundance greatly attracts people to drive their Tesla EVs on vacation and road trips.
The US has the highest number of destination charging stations compared to the rest of the world. The table below shows the number of Tesla destination charging stations in different American states.
| Name of American State | Number of Tesla Destination Charging Station | Percentage Compared to the Total Number of Destination Charging Stations in the US |
| New York | 451 | 11 % |
| California | 680 | 17 % |
| Florida | 309 | 7 % |
| District of Columbia | 36 | 0.92 % |
| Georgia | 33 | 0.85 % |
| Texas | 31 | 0.8 % |
| Nevada | 26 | 0.67 % |
The table below shows the number of Tesla destination charging stations in different countries worldwide (and Europe as a whole).
| Name of Country/area | Number of Tesla Destination Charging Station |
| United States of America | 4500 |
| Japan | 165 |
| China | 700 |
| Europe | 150 |
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How Powerful are the Tesla Destination Chargers?
The Tesla destination chargers are level 2 wall-connector battery chargers. They have a fixed by-default power output of 40 amps.
Apart from being installed outside hotels, restaurants, etc., these level 2 chargers come with the purchase of every Tesla EV.
What is the Duration Needed to Charge a Tesla Electric Vehicle with a Destination Charger?
Tesla has different electric vehicles that are designed to cater to different needs. Some Tesla EVs are simple compact sedans, while some are luxury SUVs.
Hence, due to the size difference, different Tesla electric vehicles have batteries of different sizes.
For instance, the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range has a size 50 kWh battery, while the Model S SUV has a 103kWh battery size.
As a result, different Tesla EVs will charge at different rates at a Tesla destination charger.
Moreover, the quality of the destination charger and charge attracting ability of a battery will also determine the total time a full recharge will take.
The table below shows a general overview of the time a Tesla destination charger takes to fully charge different Tesla models.
| Tesla Models | Range | Duration to Charge |
| Model 3 | 240- 310 miles | 7-8 hours |
| Model Y | 280-300 miles | 7-8 hours |
| Model S | 345- 370 miles | 9 hours |
| Model X | 305-325 miles | 8-8.5 hours |
How Much Does It Cost to Fully Charge a Tesla Electric Vehicle Using a Destination Charger?
Although Tesla is a for-profit company, its efforts in shifting the world to renewable electric energy are commendable.
The best part is that all Tesla users can charge their EVs at destination charging stations. Usually, the location, such as a hotel, has to pay for the electricity usage.
Moreover, this free charging source is designed to only cater to Tesla EV owners. However, many non-Tesla EV owners have been able to charge their cars at these destination chargers by purchasing a $240 adaptor.
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What Are the Benefits of Tesla Destination Chargers?
Tesla has designed concepts and systems to aid their consumer convenience and satisfaction. Their destination charging station is an excellent example of this.
The many benefits of a Tesla destination charger are as follows:
- The destination charging stations are completely free to use for all Tesla owners
- Non-tesla owners only need a $240 adaptor to benefit from the free battery charging source
- These destination charging stations are well spread across the US and many other global countries. Tesla has selected excellent public locations and frequently traveled routes to install these chargers
- The destination chargers located around famous hotels, resorts, and restaurants bring two main benefits. One, they provide convenience to the Tesla owner. Second, they bring business to these hospitality establishments
- A Tesla owner can use the destination charging station the entire night if they want without incurring any costs
- The destination charging station provides a far more cost-effective charging alternative to charging a Tesla at home or supercharging stations
- According to Elon Musk, slow charging is ideal for improving battery range, capacity, and lifespan. This protects Tesla batteries from damage
- Tesla owners can drive to any location of their choice, no matter how far
What Can a Driver do if The Nearest Tesla Destination Charger is Too Far?
Like all battery-powered appliances, a Tesla needs to be properly charged to keep running. Apart from traveling a long distance, a Tesla’s battery could run out of many other reasons such as:
- Frequently driving the Tesla at high speeds and changing accelerations
- Hitting the brakes frequently
- Making shorter trips
- Damaging the battery during a drive and causing it to leak battery liquid
- Driving the Tesla without the regenerative braking system
- Frequently driving the Tesla over steep slopes and rough surfaces
- Driving the Tesla on an insufficiently charged battery causes its total range and capacity to drop. As a result, Tesla cannot make it far even if its fully charged
Tesla’s built-in display screen makes sure that the driver is well aware of a low battery.
When the battery decreases below a certain value, the screen alerts the driver and looks for the nearest charging station.
If a Tesla electric vehicle runs out of battery during a trip, the driver should not panic. Although unlike a fuel-powered car, a Tesla owner cannot ask a friend to charge their battery, there are still many options that will save them from getting stranded.
In such cases when a Tesla battery has finished, and there are no destination chargers nearby, a Tesla owner should:
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Contact the Local Roadside Assistance Service
The Tesla driver should contact the local roadside assistance. The Tesla drive can be located easily by sharing the location with the service people.
A roadside assistance service can rescue the Tesla by towing it to the closest charging station in the area.
If the driver’s residence is closer than the nearest charging station, roadside assistance will tow the Tesla to the owner’s home.
Many Tesla owners have complained about their EV’s traction motors getting damaged because of getting towed.
A better option to prevent damage is to request roadside assistance to bring a flatbed. Moreover, Tesla should be put their EVs into ‘transport mode’ to make sure transportation is easy.
Contact a Mobile Electric Vehicle Charging Service
Although one cannot go and fetch fuel, Tesla owners do have the option of calling a mobile charging service. This is a relatively newer option and is not available everywhere in the US.
By calling a mobile charging service, a charging van would locate the stranded Tesla and come to it.
The service provider can charge up the Tesla enough so that one can drive it to the nearest destination charging station.
Using this service helps prevent towing damage to the Tesla and saves time and effort. However, this option might be much pricier due to the service’s newness.
Read How Much Does a Tesla Weigh?
Attempt to Jump-Start Their Tesla
Although many people find it hard to believe, electric vehicles can also be jump-started just like fuel-powered vehicles. Every Tesla comes with dual batteries that have different sizes and different voltages.
The larger-sized battery is Tesla’s main powerhouse that allows the EV to be mobile.
On the other hand, the smaller-sized 12V battery is used by Tesla’s other electrical systems such as the speakers, display screens, headlights, etc.
If no roadside or mobile charging service is available, the Tesla owner can use the smaller 12V to jump-start the Tesla.
However, due to its small size, doing so is not recommended and should only be the driver’s last resort.
Related electric car articles:
- How Many Solar Panels Are Needed to Charge a Tesla?
- What Happens if Your Tesla Runs Out of Battery?
- Electric Car Without Battery
- Which States Offer Incentives for Electric Cars in the USA?
- How Many Watts Does An Electric Car Use?
Final Thoughts
The world has thousands of Tesla destination chargers that, apart from providing convenience, attract people toward these amazing vehicles.
Tesla plans to expand this incredible service by penetrating newly developing global economies like India.
Click here to learn more about the Tesla destination charging system.
My name is Matthew, staying in Seattle, Washington. Electric Vehicles (Electric Cars & Electric bikes) caught my attention for the last few years and my love for electric cars and bikes is everlasting. I spend many of my weekends traveling to various places all over various cities with my electric vehicle (e-bike and electric car). Here I am sharing my expertise, experience, and invaluable information about electric cars and electric bikes. Check out more.