Because Teslas are all-electric, there's no exhaust, noise, shifting gears, trips to the gas station, or oil changes.
It's a big improvement, and this Nissan commercial helps make the point.
You do need to charge, but there are a variety of simple options.
At Home
Almost all charging happens overnight at home.
Schedule the car to charge when rates are cheapest, and plug in when your done driving for the day.
Charge to 80-90% daily, or charge to 100% the night before a trip.
It takes a few hours.
Choose between charging with an included mobile connector or with an optional wall connector for $500.
If you already have a 240-volt dryer outlet available near your garage or driveway, you can plug in the mobile connector there.
You may need to buy an adapter from Tesla for $35.
It is possible to charge from a standard 120-volt outlet, but that is much slower.
You can also buy a wall connector and keep your mobile connector in the car.
Wall connectors charge faster, roughly twice as fast depending on your wiring.
An electrician should install your wall connector.
Installation cost varies a lot, but it's at least a few hundred dollars.
Your state or power company may offer incentives to help cover costs.
Either way, the price you pay for electricity is your normal kWh rate from the power company.
At $0.10 per kWh, charging costs about $30 for 1,000 miles a month.
That's 75% cheaper than $120 a month for a 25 mpg gas car at $3 per gallon.
Here's a calculator to use your own numbers.
Check with your power company for cheaper off-peak rates and electic vehicle plans.
They may also offer incentives just for buying an electric car.
Around Town
You can charge other places if you can't charge at home.
Look for charging stations where your work, shop, or eat.
You want somewhere that is convenient to regularly leave your car for a few hours.
Prices vary, but many are free.
PlugShare is a great way to find charging stations and pricing.
On the Road
Tesla Superchargers let you recharge in 20-40 minutes when you travel long distances.
While that is longer than filling up a gas tank, you don't stand around.
Plug in and leave to use the restroom and get food.
Unless you regularly travel long distances with very short stops, you won't mind the change.
Be careful if you are considering other brands of electric cars.
Most are not convenient for long-distance travel.
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