How to Charge Your Tesla During a Power Outage
Power outages can be inconvenient, especially for individuals who rely on electric vehicles (EVs) like the Tesla. This article explores various options for charging your Tesla during a PGE blackout or any prolonged power outage.
Charging Strategies for EV Owners
Many Tesla owners keep their cars fully charged most of the time, ensuring they have enough range for a few days in case of a power outage. This is a smart strategy, as it reduces the need to find alternative charging options immediately.
Personal Experience
My power comes from Vermont Electric Cooperative, so Pacific Gas Electric (PGE) issues don’t directly impact my car. Even when I lived in California, my power came from another source. However, assuming you are asking about charging an EV during a power outage when your local utility power is out, here are some practical steps:
1. Daily Charging Habits
I plug my car in when I get home, and it takes only about 15 seconds. On a typical day, it recharges in about an hour, providing me with close to 300 miles of range. Not everyone has the same charging habits, but if you follow this routine, you can enjoy a high level of driving range during outages.
2. Charging During Off-Peak Hours
Many people take advantage of significant discounts on power during off-peak hours, often late at night. In my case, it would recharge in only an hour, starting at 11 PM. This flexibility can be crucial in managing your car’s battery before a potential blackout.
3. Portable Generator for EVs
For those who live in areas prone to regular power outages, having a portable generator is a must. I have a 200-pound generator that runs some vital systems in my house. It supplies around 9 kW, with the heat system using about 0.5 kW, leaving me with 8.5 kW.
The garage where I park my car doesn’t get power, but the generator is just outside and can supply power directly to the 30A plug for my Tesla charger. If I wanted to charge the car as quickly as possible, I could use a 11.5 kW charger from the generator, but I’ve never needed to charge it at such a high rate.
Alternatively, I can use a normal 15A 120V outlet, which charges the car at a much slower rate—about 4 miles per hour of range restored. This is usually sufficient because the gas station is only 4 miles away, allowing me to charge back from the trip in around 2 hours.
4. Gasoline Backup Plan
Even with a generator, I keep 3 5-gallon gas cans, each lasting a day. If the generator ran continuously, I could rely on the gas cans for around 200 days. This is more than enough time for most power outages, and by that time, it would likely be safe to drive to a gas station.
5. Other Charging Options
Living in a rural area, I have several other options:
Neighboring Town: If a nearby small city experiences a power outage at the same time, they often get power back sooner due to the lower number of residents. There are several charging stations near the city, making it easier to charge your car by the second day of an outage. Supercharger: Just 60 miles south, there is a supercharger in another town that probably has power. This would be a viable option if you can find a way to reach it. Northern Neighbors: If you can locate your passport, you could drive 40 miles north into Canada, where they have an entirely different electrical grid. Charging at a local supermarket and buying some food would be a great way to manage your situation.Conclusion
While having a Tesla or any other EV can be challenging during a power outage, proper planning and having backup plans can significantly mitigate the inconvenience. Whether through daily charging habits, portable generators, other charging options, or even a combination of these strategies, you can ensure that you maintain the mobility you need during unexpected power outages.
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