Tesla Model S range, battery & charging
The Tesla Model S Long Range delivers more range than any other electric car on sale, and has access to Tesla's Supercharger network
| Model | Range | Wallbox charge time | Rapid charge time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Range | 412 miles | 14hrs 30mins (0-100%, 7.4kW) | 23mins (10-80%, 250kW) |
| Plaid | 390 miles | 14hrs 30mins (0-100%, 7.4kW) | 23mins (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 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 412 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: its official quoted range is 390 miles on a single 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 the car. Charging from 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 and Plaid.
Tesla provides an adaptor capable of charging at 7.4kW, which allows you to plug into a dedicated home wallbox (available from companies such as Chargemaster or Pod Point) and most public fast chargers. This will deliver a full charge in about 15 hours for the Long Range and Plaid.
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. If you can have the Tesla charger fitted, it’ll deliver roughly 50 miles of range per hour, meaning both the Long Range and Plaid can be fully charged in six hours.
There are around 300 Supercharger locations in the UK, mostly focused on the main motorways. Tesla grants owners 400kWh of free Supercharger use annually: thereafter you’re charged 20p for every kWh, meaning a full charge of the Long Range would cost £20.
Battery warranty
The Tesla Model S battery comes with an eight-year/unlimited-mileage warranty, which is valid even after the car is sold to a new owner. The vehicle itself is covered by a four-year/50,000-mile warranty.
