Just like many of you, I made the big decision to buy a Tesla in 2020. The Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus became my only car, a significant choice since I had never driven an electric car before and couldn’t afford two vehicles. My job transferred me to Abu Dhabi, which means I commute 125 km every day from Dubai, where my family and I live. The obvious question was: how can I manage this with an electric car that has an actual range of 318 km, of which I can use only 70% (due to the 90-20% charge rule)?
What is the Cheapest Charging Option for a Tesla or Electric Vehicle?
I initially despised the idea of installing a Level 2 charger, priced exorbitantly and requiring extensive drilling in my garage for what I perceived as a one-time setup. Instead, I planned to use the standard 3-pin socket level charger that Tesla provides for free. My garage already had an electric socket, so why not make use of it? This option turned out to be the cheapest charging method, leveraging existing infrastructure without additional costs.
How to Live with a 3-Pin Charger Only
Everything was fine until I encountered overheating issues. The charger, which was already slow (10 amps, taking 25 hours to charge from 0-100%), became even slower at 5 amps, stretching the charge time to 50 hours from 0-100% to protect the product and circuits. I experimented with various wiring options until I found the only solution: calling an electrician to inspect and upgrade the socket to a heavy-duty one.
Guess what? Now my charger runs at full speed of 10 amps. The idea was to charge at a 3-pin socket at work for 8 hours, charge at home for 8 hours, and top up at any en-route fast charger. This way, I could avoid using Superchargers or destination chargers as much as possible. The strategy was to use a 3-pin socket every time I found one at parking locations, ensuring that I had enough charge without relying on Superchargers.
What is the Best Way to Charge a Tesla or Electric Vehicle?
However, the next challenge was the immense number of taxis crowding the Tesla chargers. While we should be empathetic to those making a living, Tesla chargers aren’t meant for commercial use, as stated on their website. After waiting for 2 hours at a Supercharger, I realized they were no longer as available as they used to be. After some research, I discovered ADNOC chargers, which are both inexpensive and readily available for fast charging.
Key Takeaways
1. Be Resourceful with Existing Infrastructure: Utilizing the standard 3-pin socket provided by Tesla can save on costs. This is the cheapest option and can be sufficient with some adjustments.
2. Upgrade the Setup: If encountering issues like overheating, consider upgrading the socket to a heavy-duty one to maintain the full speed of 10 amps.
3. Diversify Charging Locations: Avoid relying solely on Tesla Superchargers. Look for alternative fast-charging options like ADNOC chargers, which can be more accessible and less crowded.
4. Plan the Charging Schedule: Optimize charging times at home, work, and en-route to ensure there is always enough range for the commute. This strategy is essential for living with a 3-pin charger only. The idea is to use a 3-pin socket every time one is found at parking locations to survive without ever using a Supercharger or destination charger.
Living with a 3-pin charger requires some adjustments and a bit of creativity, but it’s entirely manageable with the right approach. Happy charging!
