View Poll Results: Tesla Model 3 Build Defects - Deal Breaker?
Yes
31
65.96%
No
11
23.40%
Maybe
5
10.64%
Voters: 47. You may not vote on this poll
Tesla Model 3 (merged megathread)
I upgraded to a 200A service panel years ago. If you have an older, say 100A panel, it is likely you need an expensive upgrade.
If you cannot determine what you have, check with an electrician or post a pic here.
I installed a dedicated #6 copper line on a 50A breaker.
If you cannot determine what you have, check with an electrician or post a pic here.
I installed a dedicated #6 copper line on a 50A breaker.
if panel needs to be upgraded then for sure it's going to be expensive
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 8,181
Likes: 244
From: New York
I have 200 amp panel.
The Tesla rep told me I should have dedicated fuse for the charger. Then i need to install all this in the garage. All this will be $2,000 plus not including the charger.
The Tesla rep told me I should have dedicated fuse for the charger. Then i need to install all this in the garage. All this will be $2,000 plus not including the charger.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 8,181
Likes: 244
From: New York
This should definitely be a factor in total cost of the car.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,466
Likes: 3,990
From: Maryland
What you need is a dedicated circuit on a 50 AMP breaker, same as you would need for say a hot tub, or a dryer. If you have no room for further additional breakers in your panel you'll need a subpanel. I'm in the process of finishing my basement and had to install a subpanel, I have 200 amps but my panel is small and was maxed out.
$2,000 is reasonable to install a subpanel, but not reasonable to install a 50 amp breaker and run a circuit to the garage for the charger.
Last edited by SW17LS; Oct 29, 2021 at 02:47 PM.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,991
Likes: 519
From: Maryland
They don’t mention this on the website, the default on the car when you order shows the cost of the car less $5,500 in gas savings which is in the fine print. No mention of the assumptions on those savings or the fact that it will cost me close to $2,000 to install the charger because the panel is on the other side of my house.
charger comes with the car, the nema 14-50 adapter is like 50 bucks? installing the nema outside now usually costs about 300 bucks here in CA
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and if they do factor that in, then 2-3k on a new panel probably still makes sense after 3-4 years of driving.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,466
Likes: 3,990
From: Maryland
And you do not HAVE to have a Tesla wall charger to charge your Tesla. It will charge off a normal outlet, just much more slowly. Many people can install a Tesla charger with $500 worth of alterations to their home.
My car costs right now $300 a month to fuel. Thats $3,600 a year. If I had to install a subpanel in my house in less than a year I would break even.
You don't want a Tesla, just own that instead of throwing up roadblocks.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 8,181
Likes: 244
From: New York
Just to comment on this, people who live on limited budgets are not buying Teslas.
And you do not HAVE to have a Tesla wall charger to charge your Tesla. It will charge off a normal outlet, just much more slowly. Many people can install a Tesla charger with $500 worth of alterations to their home.
My car costs right now $300 a month to fuel. Thats $3,600 a year. If I had to install a subpanel in my house in less than a year I would break even.
You don't want a Tesla, just own that instead of throwing up roadblocks.
And you do not HAVE to have a Tesla wall charger to charge your Tesla. It will charge off a normal outlet, just much more slowly. Many people can install a Tesla charger with $500 worth of alterations to their home.
My car costs right now $300 a month to fuel. Thats $3,600 a year. If I had to install a subpanel in my house in less than a year I would break even.
You don't want a Tesla, just own that instead of throwing up roadblocks.
3k to ME is not a lot of $$$ but it is a HUGE inconvenience to hire an electrician, setup the wiring, the charging unit etc. Who knows if i still want to drive this Tesla after a year or 2? I haven’t had my X3 for 2yrs and I can’t wait to get a new car!
Most are buying new cars everyday on limited budgets!
Model 3 is $40-45k which is about the average cost of a new car in US.
My point was that the additional cost of chargers / installation needs to be added to the purchase price as that is a FIXED cost. Your fuel expenses are variable from person to person and you will incur higher electric bills with EVs as well.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 8,181
Likes: 244
From: New York
The rep recommended to use electrician as that would be cheaper route. Come to NY area and get a professional electrician to do anything for less than $1,000 lol especially in my area.
My personal garage has automatic doors and power outlets so I assume this would be something that can be done without additional cost of upgrading the panel but this beyond my expertise. Its just another issue with EV ownership. And then i need to have the charger route outside as the EV car is not garaged?
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,466
Likes: 3,990
From: Maryland
If you really wanted a Tesla though, none of that would be a big deal. Like any other big appliance you have to make adjustments to your house.
For instance I wanted my basement finished, and I had to have a sub panel installed. No big deal.
If I can get electricians to do work for less than $1,000 here you can there too.
For instance I wanted my basement finished, and I had to have a sub panel installed. No big deal.
If I can get electricians to do work for less than $1,000 here you can there too.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,460
Likes: 232
From: CA
Are you saying a Tesla charger is only $50 not $700+ for wall units?
The rep recommended to use electrician as that would be cheaper route. Come to NY area and get a professional electrician to do anything for less than $1,000 lol especially in my area.
My personal garage has automatic doors and power outlets so I assume this would be something that can be done without additional cost of upgrading the panel but this beyond my expertise. Its just another issue with EV ownership. And then i need to have the charger route outside as the EV car is not garaged?
The rep recommended to use electrician as that would be cheaper route. Come to NY area and get a professional electrician to do anything for less than $1,000 lol especially in my area.
My personal garage has automatic doors and power outlets so I assume this would be something that can be done without additional cost of upgrading the panel but this beyond my expertise. Its just another issue with EV ownership. And then i need to have the charger route outside as the EV car is not garaged?
I don't see why hiring an Electrician to come out for 3 hours and install this is a pain in the lifetime ownership of the car. Better than having to go to the dealer for maintenance even once. Better than ever visiting a gas station too
Having to upgrade the house to fuel your car is a pretty minor and pointless issue.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 8,181
Likes: 244
From: New York
My panel is in the basement. Whether its a plumber or electrician nobody comes out for $100. I had to pay about $1,000 to route new ceiling lights and hang a few light fixtures when i was renovating my place 2yrs ago so I’m aware what prices are.
Again this is much more complex than I would have thought and definitely new process for car ownership. For those that really want an EV, I’m sure its no big deal but for me its another unnecessary hassle among many others of owning EV at the current time.
On another note, there is a new LUCID store opening by me right next to the Tesla store. Will be cool to compare these 2 brands.
Again this is much more complex than I would have thought and definitely new process for car ownership. For those that really want an EV, I’m sure its no big deal but for me its another unnecessary hassle among many others of owning EV at the current time.
On another note, there is a new LUCID store opening by me right next to the Tesla store. Will be cool to compare these 2 brands.