Quick Facts About Tesla Superchargers vs. Destination Charging Sites
- The difference between Tesla Superchargers and Destination Charging Sites is the speed at which they charge.
- Drivers of electric vehicles (EVs) from other manufacturers can take advantage of Tesla Destination Charging Sites.
- Select Tesla Superchargers can now be used by other brands’ EVs. Over the next year, the company plans to make 3,500 Superchargers available to the EV-driving public.
One of the biggest perks of Tesla ownership — beyond all those built-in tech features and the gullwing doors on the wild Model X — is access to the automaker’s charging infrastructure.
However, not all Tesla charging systems are the same. Destination Charging Sites and Superchargers both fill up or top off a Tesla electric car’s batteries, but they do so at different paces.
What’s the Difference Between Tesla Superchargers and Destination Charging Sites?
The difference between Tesla Superchargers and Destination Charging is the speed at which they charge. Superchargers are quick and convenient ways to top off a Tesla while on the go. On the other hand, Destination Charging provides a slower Level 2 charge. Still, they are convenient because they tend to be at hotels and resorts where drivers might park their cars overnight.
Tesla has more than 60,000 Superchargers worldwide (the automaker doesn’t publicly release the U.S. numbers). These stations feature distinctive red and white Superchargers, which can rapidly surge a tremendous amount of electricity into your Tesla model. Depending on the model, they can add up to 200 miles of driving range in as little as 15 minutes using DC fast charging.
By contrast, more than 40,000 connectors at Destination Charging Sites worldwide deliver Level 2 charging. They’re not owned and operated by Tesla. Instead, commercial establishments may install the stations to help lure Tesla owners’ business. For instance, a free charging incentive might convince an electric car or Tesla owner to stay overnight at a hotel or resort or dine at a restaurant.
Why Use a Tesla Supercharger?
When Tesla drivers take road trips, they will almost certainly use the automaker’s extensive charging network. Drivers can find Superchargers on busy highways, including in rural areas.
Along highways, you might find them near restaurants, coffee shops, or near the gas pumps at filling stations and travel centers. These locations let drivers add battery juice while enjoying a bite to eat or a caffeinated beverage before heading off again. Superchargers in shopping center parking lots allow drivers to recharge conveniently when in town.
While Tesla batteries have proven exceptionally robust, repeated use of these high-energy Superchargers may negatively affect battery life. Additionally, Tesla Superchargers typically cost around a quarter per kilowatt-hour — or up to 60 cents per kWh — still less than the cost of filling the tank of a gasoline-fueled car.
Why Use a Tesla Destination Charging Site?
The odds are you won’t have to make that choice. You’ll discover Destination Charging Sites tucked into the back corner of a hotel or restaurant parking lot. The station may be inaccessible to anyone not staying at the hotel.
As Level 2 chargers, they provide as much as 44 miles of electric range in an hour, depending on your electric vehicle model. You’ll probably find Destination Charging locations inconvenient for a road trip pit stop. However, you’ll likely wake up to a full battery if you plug your Tesla into one during an overnight hotel stay.
On the plus side, Destination Charging Sites may help preserve battery integrity over time since they don’t charge at the same high rate as a Supercharger.
Destination Charging Sites are not owned or operated by Tesla. However, the automaker lists their locations on its website and the car’s infotainment screen. Tesla indicates the charging rate and relevant access information in the notes section. It’s up to the Destination Charging partner/operator — usually a restaurant or hotel — to decide whether to charge for access.
Charging Another EV Using a Tesla Destination Charging Site
Drivers of EVs from other manufacturers can take advantage of Tesla Destination Charging Sites. In the North American market, an electric vehicle owner can purchase a Tesla-to-J1772 adapter and plug a Destination Charging connector into their car’s charging port.
Recently, Tesla opened select Superchargers in its network to EVs from other manufacturers. The rollout is ongoing, with initial plans to open 3,500 stations to competitors’ models. Another 4,000 Level 2 chargers will also become available to other EVs.
Some Ford Mach-E, F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1S, and R1T owners have received charging adapters that allow them to use Superchargers. GM, Polestar, and Volvo EV drivers can also use Tesla stations if they purchase an adapter. A small number of Supercharger stations — about 100 — are fitted with Magic Dock adapters that allow various EVs with Combined Charging Standard (CCS) ports to use Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) plugs.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated since its initial publication.
