Does Tesla Use Gasoline? [Do Teslas Have Gas Tanks]

You have probably heard of Teslas by now, considering they are a hot thing in the market. Sometimes you might order one, and it would take months to deliver. This has made more people crave them, hoping they can lay their hands on a Tesla.

Like any other vehicle on the market, some people would be curious about its gas mileage. That is why they would ask, does Tesla take gasoline?

A Tesla vehicle does not use gasoline. This is because it is a fully electric vehicle that runs on battery power alone. All you have to do is charge it until it has enough battery range to get you where you want to go and back. You can still recharge it along the way based on the charging network in your area.

Tesla is different from a hybrid vehicle which would have an engine in addition to a battery pack. So, such a vehicle would switch from using the battery to the engine depending on the energy demand. At least here, you would be curious about how much gasoline it uses.

We look further into Tesla vehicles to see how they are powered, how to charge them, compare the costs of charging a Tesla and using gas, plus many other aspects of owning a Tesla.

How Teslas Are Powered

Teslas are powered by a motor and a battery pack in the place of a conventional gas engine to keep the vehicle moving.

The number of motors and battery range can vary depending on the type of Tesla model. Most of them right now feature an improved battery range that ensures you get the best range and reach your destination without necessarily having to recharge your Tesla.

The motors in a Tesla are key for turning the wheels. The good thing about motors is how the power is instant. The speed at which the motor turns is controlled by the power supply frequency. That is why when you step on the Tesla accelerator, you should be up and running in no time.

Considering that the Tesla motors can reach even 18,000 RPM, it makes them good for high-speed driving without a problem.

In addition to the motor, you also get an inverter as part of the Tesla vehicle. The work of the inverter is to convert the DC power from the battery pack and feed it into the motor. It is also vital to control the power frequency key in motor speed.

Of course, we cannot forget about the Tesla battery pack. The battery pack is like the gas of a conventional vehicle. It comprises many lithium-ion battery cells connected together to form one large battery pack.

The battery pack will also have a glycol coolant key in helping to cool the battery. When you have been speeding the whole day, then cooling is important to ensure the battery remains in good condition.

Video Guide: How a Tesla Car Works? Its Parts & Functions [Explained]

What Happens If You Put Gas In A Tesla (So Crazy!)

This should be interesting to come across generally. Because there is no fuel tank that you can use to add gas to a Tesla.

Looking around the Tesla, you will see a flap, just as you would with conventional cars. However, opening the flap will make you quickly realize that there is no place to put gas into a Tesla.

The flap opens the charging ports you can use to add more charge to your Tesla. All you have to do is use the offered charger plug and insert it into the port. Turn on your outlet and watch it recharge until it is full.

So, it is not like Tesla has been using gasoline before. All along, Tesla has been an all-electric vehicle. This has been the case since its inception, and that will not change.

Is There A Gas Backup On Teslas?

No. Tesla has no backup gas option. It is an all-electric vehicle that solely relies on the use of batteries to power the vehicle.

We are sure you have come across a hybrid vehicle. Hybrid vehicles still use batteries, such as Tesla, but with a twist. This is because they have a gasoline engine paired with it.

The hybrid vehicles feature a small backup engine running on gas to boost the battery pack in case the battery is low, or there is more power demand, and the motors cannot keep up.

Here is a video explaining how a hybrid vehicle works

Most hybrid vehicles also recharge the battery pack using the power from the engine. As the gas engine runs, it also recharges the batteries. This means you do not need to plug it into an outlet like you would for a Tesla.

Still, on hybrid vehicles, you also come across  Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles or PHEVs. For this type, you can plug them into an outlet to recharge the battery pack.

What Happens If Your Tesla Runs Out Of Battery?

Sometimes you may run out of battery for your Tesla, and you are stuck in the middle of nowhere. What would be the solution for your scenario? If that happens, you have to call for a flatbed truck to come pick it up and take it to a charger.

There are a number of ways of getting your Tesla back on the road. This includes;

1. Tesla Roadside Assistance

Tesla has a Roadside Assistance service. As much as the ones coming to help will not be charging your vehicle, they will help tow the vehicle to the right charging station and get you charging your Tesla again.

The good thing is that this service is available free for the first 80 miles if your Tesla is under warranty.

Also, the towing team has experience in towing Teslas to ensure no motor damage. Basically, the Tesla is best towed on a flatbed rather than pulling it.

2. Hire a tow truck

Sometimes, you may have to settle for hiring a tow truck to help get you to the right charging station. However, take note that towing an electric vehicle comes with many precautions to keep in mind.

Tesla advises that you have the Tesla towed by keeping it on a flatbed. If you have to have wheels on the ground, make sure they are on dollies so that they do not keep turning while towing. Using dollies is only recommended for those towing for short distances.

3. Mobile chargers

A few companies have come up with mobile chargers. The aim is to get you back on the road as soon as possible.

When you request the service, a truck comes to you with a generator good enough to give you the electricity needed for recharging the Tesla. It might not be the cleanest way of recharging the Tesla, but it will help you get back on the road in no time.

How Do You Charge A Tesla?

Owning a Tesla is awesome until you have to charge it again. There is nothing to worry about because you can find several convenient ways to charge your Tesla if it runs out of charge. So long as there is an outlet, you can recharge your Tesla.

Charging your Tesla can be achieved in different ways. Such includes;

1. When parked

The first option for charging your Tesla is using the wall connector. This fastest charging method would help you add up to 44 miles per hour as you charge the Tesla.

Tesla allows you to order the wall connector online, and a Tesla Certified electrician will install it.

You can also consider the mobile connectors and adapters for charging your Tesla. This charging option allows you to plug into a regular 120V outlet. For this type, you can get up to 3 miles for every hour charged. This option is good for those driving less than 30 to 40 miles daily.

Consider purchasing an adapter bundle that works with the 240-volt outlets. This should supply you with 30 miles for every hour charged.

The other option to consider is to use the charging stations at your building. This might not be available in all buildings, but it is possible to find charging stations, such as apartments and condos, at the top of the buildings.

2. While on the road

Sometimes you might be on the road, but now you need to recharge your Tesla to keep it on the road and get to your destination.

The popular choice is using the Tesla Supercharger network. This is the fastest option for you to use while on the road. The Supercharger will get the car up to 200 miles for just 15 minutes of charge.

The aim is to get you back on the road as fast as possible. Currently, Tesla has over 40,000 superchargers around the world. You can access them mostly along major routes or near convenient amenities.

Destination charging is another choice for you to consider while on the road. This is simply a network of popular restaurants, resorts, and hotels with wall connectors for customers to use while staying at their facilities. So you would not have to worry about recharging your Tesla while traveling the country.

You may also come across Third-Party charging stations shared through platforms such as Plugshare.com. Take note of the charger type available. An example is a J1772 label means that it would work with the SAE J1772 adapter. If you can get one that offers 240-volt compatibility is better to provide you with faster recharge times.

Comparison Of Costs For Charging A Tesla Against Using Gas

A study done by the University of Michigan found that the average cost for you to fuel a gas engine is around $1,117 per year. However, electric vehicles, on the other hand, are expected to cost around $485 per year.

Of course, the actual cost might vary a lot from one state to another and also how the vehicle is used. However, even in states such as Hawaii, where electricity is expensive, we still find it cheaper to keep the Tesla on the road.

The cost of running an EV is among the reasons more people are willing to buy it over internal combustion engine vehicles.

FAQs

Is Tesla charging stations free?

It depends on where you are charging your Tesla. If a hotel offers wall connectors in addition to you staying at their facility, then it can be free. However, most of the time, you would have to pay to charge your Tesla. The pricing estimate is indicated before you start charging, and the final price is after you are done charging.

How long does it take to charge a Tesla at a charging station?

It depends on the type of charger available. The superchargers can get your vehicle to 200 miles of range in just 15 minutes of charge. Other chargers can give you 30 miles of range per hour charged. Each time you plug in your Tesla, it will quickly show you how much time it will take to charge it fully. It can sometimes be a few hours or even up to 10 hours.

How long does a Tesla car battery last?

Tesla has made bold claims, saying its batteries can last 300,000 to 500,000 miles without any issues. For an average car user, this is around two decades of driving the vehicle with an average of 15,000 miles per year.

Can you charge your Tesla with solar and reduce fuel costs to zero?

It is possible to charge your Tesla with solar panels so long as you have the right configuration. However, you might be limited by the availability of such charging options. This is because how it would be expensive to set up the charging station. That is why most people use the national grid to recharge their Teslas.