Why is My Tesla Only Charging at 16 AMPS

Charging your Tesla at a slower rate can be frustrating, especially if you’re used to charging at higher speeds. There are several reasons why your Tesla may only be charging at 16 amps, said by EV charger manufacturers, which is a lower rate compared to the typical 40-50 amps that most Tesla models are capable of. Some potential reasons for slower charging include using a lower amperage charging outlet, an older or less powerful charging cable, or the presence of other electrical devices on the same circuit that are drawing power. It’s also possible that there is an issue with the charging system itself, such as a fault in the charging port or a problem with the vehicle’s onboard charging electronics. This post will explore why your Tesla may be charging slowly and the Amps available by Tesla or other Top EV charger companies. 

I. How Many Amps is a Tesla Charger?

The amount of amps that a Tesla charger can deliver depends on the specific model of the vehicle and the type of charger being used. Tesla vehicles are equipped with an onboard charger capable of accepting a range of charging currents, depending on the available power supply and the vehicle’s charging system.

Most Tesla models come with an onboard charger capable of accepting up to 40-50 amps of current. This allows the vehicle to charge relatively quickly, depending on the available power supply and the charging infrastructure. For example, a Tesla Model 3 with a 50-amp onboard charger can charge at a rate of up to 72 miles of range per hour when connected to a 240-volt Level 2 charging station.

In addition to the onboard charger, Tesla also offers a range of home and public charging solutions designed to work with its vehicles. These chargers are available in different amperes and voltages, depending on the needs of the customer and the available power supply.

For example, the Tesla Wall Charger is a Level 2 charger designed for home or business use. It is available in 40-amp and 80-amp versions, which can deliver charging speeds of up to 72 miles of range per hour for a Model 3. The Tesla Wall Charger can be installed with a range of power supply options, depending on the needs of the customer and the availability of a suitable electrical circuit.

Similarly, Tesla’s Supercharger network is a network of fast-charging stations designed for long-distance trips. These chargers are available in different amperes and voltages, depending on the specific location and the needs of the vehicles being charged. For example, the Supercharger V3 is a fast-charging station capable of delivering up to 250 kW of power to compatible vehicles, allowing them to charge at a rate of up to 1,000 miles of range per hour.

II. Why is Tesla Only Charging at 16 AMPS?

There are several potential reasons why your Tesla may only be charging at 16 amps, which is a slower rate compared to the typical 40-50 amps that most Tesla models are capable of. Some common causes of slow charging include:

1. Use of a lower amperage charging outlet: If you’re charging your Tesla at a wall outlet or other low-power charging source, the available amperage may be limited. In this case, the vehicle may only be able to charge at a slower rate.
2. Use of an older or less powerful charging cable: The charging cable you use to connect your Tesla to the charging source can also affect the charging speed. If the cable is damaged, frayed, or otherwise not functioning properly, it may not be able to deliver the full current to the vehicle.
3. Presence of other electrical devices on the same circuit: If you have multiple electrical devices drawing power from the same circuit as the charging outlet, it can reduce the available power and cause the charging rate to slow.
4. Fault in the charging port or onboard charging electronics: There may be an issue with the charging system itself, such as a problem with the charging port or a fault in the vehicle’s onboard charging electronics. In this case, the vehicle may not be able to accept the full available current.

Outro

There are several potential reasons why a Tesla may only be charging at 16 amps, which is a slower rate compared to the typical 40-50 amps that most Tesla models are capable of. Some common causes of slow charging include using a lower amperage charging outlet, an older or less powerful charging cable, other electrical devices on the same circuit, and faults in the charging port or onboard charging electronics. To determine the cause of the slow charging and fix the issue, consulting with a Tesla service center or a qualified electrician may be necessary.