Tag: tesla

Electric vehicles are popular, but even more popular is the brand Tesla that has consistently led others in the industry. For over 15 years, Tesla has been in business and each time they have delivered what EV drivers and the world need.

This has taken Tesla’s market capitalization worth to $300 billion- ahead of other automobile brands even beyond electric vehicles.

There have been several feats that took Tesla from one stage of greatness to the next, and the most recent is the show of efficiency supremacy by the brand.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency just released its rating on 2021 electric cars, and Tesla can be seen standing tall and ahead.

2021 Tesla Model 3 Long Range has an impressive efficiency rating of 134 MPGe.

How or when did this happen?

It all started when Tesla introduced many new 2021 model vehicles and announced changes to others, especially the Model 3.

The most outstanding feature in both the changes and the new lineup was the increased efficiency confirmed by the EPA.

Barely a year ago the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD got a 121MPGe same as the Model Y Long Range AWD. Now the EPA has confirmed a boost in the efficiency of 134 MPGe rating for combined city and highway driving for the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD. And a smaller boost of 125 MPGe for combined city and highway driving for the Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD.

Other brands and models such as the Polestar 2 and Volvo XC40, which compete directly with Tesla Model 3 and Y fall at 92 MPGe and 79 MPGe, respectively. The efficiency supremacy is clearer than ever.

These Tesla vehicles now offer drivers more miles and more range on less energy capacity. It also translates to faster charging at the same charging output you’ve likely used before on your EV.

Tesla continues to outshine the competition at every turn, and hopefully, others will take up the challenge to impress sooner than later.

To enjoy your Tesla vehicle regardless of model, improvements, and so on investing in a home charging station is always best.

Be sure to call in the experts at The Electric Connection to help make installation and charging convenient and dependable for you. If you are also experiencing charging issues, electrical problems or need a Tesla Wall Connector installed, we answer promptly to restore order and your peace of mind.

Earlier this year, particularly January Tesla unveiled the 3rd generation wall connector. Since then everyone has been trying to know what’s good and what’s better with this new charger. If your Gen 2 Tesla charger is working just fine, why would you possibly be motivated to consider Gen 3?

We answer all the questions in this review below.

What’s Different?

Appearance. It’s almost the first thing you notice with this Gen 3 EV charger. The new electric charger’s fresh look comes as a glass front display on a white background, keeping the brand name font and color on its surface. In contrast, the Gen 2 Tesla EV charger has a plastic silver or black cover.

Power. The Gen 2 wall connector has always been a more powerful option, as it’s able to deliver up to 80 amps of power to your electric car. The Gen 3 however is limited to a maximum of 48 amps. But wait before you conclude, it’s important to remember that there are no electric vehicles – regardless of brand – that can charge at over 48 amps. Aside from this being Tesla’s way of sticking with the maximum power output, electricians can tell you that fewer amps mean less heat. Gen 2 electric chargers have often had overheating and sparking problems because of the heat.

Cable length. For the Gen 2, electric car owners can enjoy the flexibility of a 24 feet cable. This new Gen 3 charger falls short in this area with only 18 feet from Tesla. This can count as a significant disadvantage in most cases. Seeing as a standard 2-car garage in the United States is a 24’ by 24’ it’s vital to have a cable that can reach most corners.

Cable size. This will probably bring a smile to your face as Gen 2 users are all too familiar with the heavy and thick cable of Gen 2 electric chargers. With Gen 3 electric car charger the cable is lighter, thinner, and easier to manage. This also contributes to making the entire charger weigh less. It’s a good advantage from Tesla and one users will enjoy.

Wi-Fi. For all those who are tech-savvy and convenience-conscious, it’s wonderful to hear that the new Tesla charger is Wi-Fi enabled, and it allows you to connect the unit with your smartphone. But at the same time, some users have mentioned having no connection with their Gen 3 charger and app, while others say the smart charger can connect with the car. The use comes mainly by accessing the network with your computer to get updates and set up the charger. There is a strong possibility of more updates with the Wi-Fi from Tesla.

Load sharing. The former charging unit allowed load sharing with up to 4 connected units while the new Gen 3 allows load sharing for up to 16 devices wirelessly.

Cost. To our amazement, the cost of the Gen 3 electric car charger is the same $500 price as the older Gen 2 unit. It’s safe to assume that the various limitations on the Gen 3, when compared with Gen 2, helped cut cost and make this elite charger affordable.

Electric cars are clearly the latest and most sought after development in the automotive industry and Tesla is leading the pack. So, when you have just purchased your very own green car, you can leap for joy about avoiding fueling costs and several other issues that come with it.

However, you still have to figure out charging your Tesla.

The amperage of your Tesla charger can play a vital role in determining how much total charge or miles of driving you get. Here’s the breakdown of amps per charger level.

You might be familiar with using a level one charger, which is the common 120V outlet in your home. This works with the portable EVSE (UMC) that comes with the car and gives an amperage of 15-20 amps. As far as miles go, you will replenish 3-4 miles per hour. While the charge time may be slow, this works fine for many Tesla drivers.

The level 2 charge is a 240V outlet installed by a professional electrician as a dedicated home EVSE. It has the capacity to power tough power-hungry machines like your dryer. This charge is more powerful than the previous option and delivers on up to 80 amps. This translates to anywhere between 9-52 miles of Tesla range per hour charging.

Level 3 charge, which is hardly an option for homes and private buildings, is an ultra-fast, ultra high-power 480V circuit. They are superchargers often found at charging stations and account for why it’s sometimes faster to use a public charging station than a home charger. It delivers on up to 300 amps, which is up to 170 miles per hour of Tesla charging.

When you look at the spread, you find that you do have a few suitable options. What you choose depends on your driving habits and miles. To install a level 2 charge be sure to contact a professional electrician or Tesla charger installer.

The Tesla models of electric vehicles (EVs) arguably lead the pack of automobiles that rely on more eco-friendly and efficient sources of power for their functioning. The Tesla, as with all other electric vehicles, uses previously-stored up electricity in its rechargeable battery cells to power its engines to give you a smoother, faster ride than most conventional cars can offer.

It is crucial that you ensure your Tesla’s battery cells have an ample supply of electricity in its reservoirs to serve you on your intra and inter-city travels regardless of the distance or duration of the journey. That is why the aspect of charging is very vital.

Charging Your Tesla: Categories Of Chargers

Tesla chargers can be grouped into three levels based on the voltages at which they operate.

First level chargers (or level 1 chargers) typically operate between 15 to 20 amps on standard 120 volts electrical circuits and can deliver up to 1.4kW of power to your vehicle.

Level 2 chargers operate on 240-volt electrical circuits with amperages up to 80A and power delivery of up to 15kW to your Tesla. Your Tesla Mobile Connector and Tesla Wall Connector fall within this category.

The third level of chargers deliver a staggering amount of power – up to 140kW worth – and function at 480V with amperages up to 300A. Superchargers which are known for their fast-charging abilities, fall within this category.

When Does Charging Become Too Much For Your Tesla?

It is commonly advised that you keep your Tesla plugged in as often as you possibly can but as in everything in life, you should apply your discretion. How often you charge depends on how much mileage you cover daily but we recommend that you do not wait till your battery reserves reach zero percent before plugging in.

Conversely, frequently charging your batteries to 100% capacity can strain them unnecessarily and cause them not to function optimally. As a rule of thumb, we suggest that you set your charging limit at 80% and endeavor to always plug in once battery levels reach the 20% mark. The best ranges for maintaining battery health are 20-80% or 25-75%. If you can do 30-70%, then that’s perfect. If you drive often, then setting the limit at 85% still offers great battery efficiency.

Essentially, the lower you set your charge limit, the longer your battery serves you. Setting a comfortable charge limit for your Tesla means the battery doesn’t undergo strain regardless of how long – or how often – you plug it in as it automatically stops charging once it reaches its limits.

So should you charge your Tesla overnight? There’s no reason not to, provided you’ve set a healthy limit for your battery.

Still have questions? Contact your local certified Tesla electrician for more information.