Imagine buying a brand-new Tesla, the epitome of electric vehicle innovation, and then realizing you can't charge it at home. Sounds like a nightmare, right? Well, I did it. And while some might say it defeats the whole purpose of owning an EV, I'm here to tell you it's absolutely possible – and even economical – with a little planning.
I traded in my gas-guzzler for a sleek Model Y, fully aware that I'd be relying on public charging infrastructure. My strategy was simple: leverage the Supercharger station just a few miles away and the slower, but convenient, chargers at my local grocery store. Plus, the Model Y came with a Mobile Connector, offering yet another charging option in a pinch. Think of it as having a backup plan for your backup plan!
Now, I had a few advantages that made this feasible. I don't have a daily commute, and most of my errands are within a 15-mile radius. But here's where it gets controversial... Many people assume that relying solely on Superchargers will cost you an arm and a leg, potentially negating any savings you'd get from driving electric. They think Supercharging is as expensive, or even more expensive, than filling up with gasoline. But is that really the case? I'm here to debunk that myth and share some practical tips I've learned along the way.
The key to making it work without home charging? Smart charging habits. And the biggest game-changer is taking advantage of off-peak electricity rates.
At my local Supercharger, the price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) skyrockets to $0.47 during peak hours (8 a.m. to 10 p.m.). But during off-peak hours (10 p.m. to 8 a.m.), it plummets to just $0.18! That's nearly three times cheaper! So, setting your alarm a little earlier or charging late at night can save you a significant amount of money. I don't always charge during off-peak hours, but I try to reserve the longer charging sessions for those times. And this is the part most people miss... it truly makes a difference.
For example, I recently charged my Model Y from 9% to 90% during off-peak hours, and it only cost me around $11. The same charge during peak hours would have been closer to $26. That's a $15 difference on a single charge! To put that into perspective, filling up my old Bronco Sport from almost empty to full would easily cost me over $40.
And let's not forget the perks! The Supercharger I frequent is conveniently located at a Sheetz gas station and convenience store. So, I can grab a coffee, a breakfast sandwich, catch up on YouTube videos, and sometimes even enjoy a beautiful sunrise while my car charges. It's become a Friday morning ritual I actually look forward to. It is my sacred Friday morning routine:
✅BEC on a bagel from Sheetz
✅early AM supercharging rates
✅Bob does sports @sheetz @tesla @RobbyBerger
If I have to charge at night, my fiancée and I turn it into a date night. We'll grab snacks and watch our favorite Netflix show (currently, it's Narcos) while the car charges. It's all about making the most of the situation.
Ultimately, the numbers speak for themselves. Despite occasionally having to charge during peak hours, I've saved about $70 in roughly fifteen charging sessions. Over the course of a year, that adds up to over $800! So much for Supercharging being more expensive than gas!
But wait, there's more! Supercharging isn't your only option. I also take advantage of the free Level 2 chargers at my local grocery store. It's a Shell Recharge station with two charging ports. I use my J1772 adapter to connect, and while it's not as fast as a Supercharger (charging at 11.5 kW), it's perfect for topping off while I do my weekly shopping. The key here is courtesy: only charge for a reasonable amount of time to allow other EV owners to use the charger as well.
Looking ahead, I'm actively working with my leasing office to advocate for the installation of EV chargers in our neighborhood. As renters, we're dependent on their willingness to invest in this infrastructure. My hope is that they'll eventually see the value in providing charging options for current and future EV owners. This is a long-term game, and I'm committed to making it happen.
So, is it crazy to own a Tesla without home charging? Maybe. But it's definitely doable. And with a few smart strategies, it can even be cheaper than driving a gas car. What charging strategies have you found to be most effective? Do you think relying on public charging is a viable option for most EV owners? Let's discuss in the comments below!
