Tesla Model S range, battery & charging
A combination of large batteries and access to Tesla's Supercharger network makes the Model S one of the easiest electric cars to cover long distances in
| Model | Range | Wallbox charge time | Rapid charge time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Range | 405 miles | 15hrs 15mins (0-100%, 7.4kW) | 30mins (10-80%, 250kW) |
| Plaid | 390 miles | 15hrs 15mins (0-100%, 7.4kW) | 30mins (10-80%, 250kW) |
Few electric cars on sale can match the range offered by the Tesla Model S, which comes with a 95kWh battery in both Long Range and Plaid forms. For comparison, the Jaguar I-Pace boasts a 90kWh battery, while the Audi e-tron also features a 95kWh unit.
Tesla Model S range
The 2022 version of the Model S Long Range – with its 95kWh battery – has a range figure of 405 miles, although it's likely you'll manage a little less in the real world. The Plaid uses the same-size battery, but its predicted range is lower due to its additional weight: officially 390 miles on a charge. Compare this to the I-Pace, which is sold with a 90kWh battery and a quoted range of 292 miles.
Charge time
The Tesla Model S charging time varies depending on how you charge it. Using a normal household socket is extremely slow due to a maximum charging rate of around 2.3kW: this means the better part of two full days would be needed to charge the Long Range or Plaid. Tesla provides an adaptor capable of charging at 7.4kW, which allows you to plug into a dedicated home wallbox and most public fast chargers. This will deliver a full charge in about 15 hours for both models.
The best option is to purchase a Tesla wallbox for your garage or driveway, which delivers power at a rate of 16.5kW – although this does require a three-phase power supply, which not all homes will have. Offices and workplaces may do, though. When out and about, you can avail of the numerous Tesla Supercharger locations around the UK, mostly focused on motorways and main roads.
