How to save money when Supercharging a Tesla

Supercharging a Tesla can cost you anywhere from $6-$22, overall. So how can you fully charge a Tesla for under $10?

Here are a few tips:

1) Check the rates for Supercharging:

• On your Tesla’s touchscreen, open up the map.

• Then tap on the “Charging” icon. It looks like a lightning bolt. ⚡
• Tap on the red/grey color icon of any Supercharger. This opens up more details on the charging rates for that specific Supercharger. The lower the $ per kWh, the better.

Want to check Supercharging rates from your phone instead? Here’s how to do that:

2) Charge the Tesla during off-peak hours.

This usually means charging the car anytime from 12AM - 8AM. Because not many people charge their car during these times, Tesla lowered the charging cost substantially at these times.

3) Avoid idle fees!

After your Tesla is done charging, make sure to unplug the charger. Staying 5 minutes after the Tesla is fully charged at 100% battery will start racking up idle fees, so please watch out.

(Idle fees will only apply if a vehicle at a Supercharger station is at 50% capacity or more. But still, please play it safe. Because let's say the charging lot is empty and you leave to get McDonald's. Well, there could be a group of Teslas that came to charge their cars, by the time you get back!)

4) UPDATED June, 2025 Avoid Congestion fees!

Tesla has introduced a new fee called a Congestion fee. This replaces the idle fee at certain Supercharging stations!

Basically, at certain busy Supercharging stations, Tesla wants you to charge up to 80% only. Why? Because charging your car from 80% to 100% takes a longer time. So Tesla wants you to leave and make room for other cars.

You have 5 minutes to unplug, before the Congestion fees start happening. Once the congestion fee starts racking up, it's VERY expensive (like $1 per minute that you stay).

_{While you are charging the car, you will be notified on the vehicle touchscreen and from the Tesla app if congestion fees apply.}