Many people charge their Teslas at home in a garage or covered area. You may, however, come across times where you may have no choice but to charge a Tesla outdoors, so you might wonder if you can charge a Tesla in the rain.
You can charge a Tesla in the rain under most circumstances. Tesla Wall Connectors (TWC) and superchargers are weatherproof, which will give you zero issues when you need to charge them in the rain. The standard cable that comes with your Tesla is not waterproof, nor safe to use in the rain.
Below, we outline several scenarios that you may come across when you need to charge a Tesla. This includes whether it is safe to charge not just in the rain, but also in the snow, and during a thunderstorm.
Is It Safe To Charge A Tesla In The Rain?
It is safe to charge a Tesla in the rain, as both Tesla Wall Connectors and Tesla superchargers are safe to use in wet weather. It is deemed unsafe to charge your Tesla in the rain if you use the standard mobile connector that comes with the car.
Teslas are interesting machines, as they contain 400 volts (V) of charging voltage, 160V over the 240V limit for something to be considered life threatening. Contrast this to charging a phone, which requires 5V, or the 110V it typically takes for household appliances to run. On the surface, you may think a task like charging a Tesla could be a dangerous endeavor.
However, despite the high voltages required for Teslas, it’s rare to hear of accidents that occur when charging a Tesla. The task is generally safe, and they are designed to safely charge your vehicle during inclement weather.
TWCs And Superchargers Are Considered Safe
Tesla Wall Connectors (TWC) are what you will charge your Tesla with more than anything else once you get one installed. If you are on the road for long periods, then you may find yourself needing to use a Tesla charging port, like a supercharger, instead of a wall connector. Both are designed to be safe to use when it’s raining.
Are Tesla Charging Ports Waterproof?
Tesla is an innovative company that has left no stone unturned, so you can assume that they considered the possibility that some Tesla owners may not have a garage or even a canopy to store their electric vehicle. Therefore, Tesla charging ports are waterproof.
Tesla also has specialists who will determine the best place to hang your TWC, as although they are waterproof, it is still advisable to keep them out of consistent inclement weather to the best of your ability, since corrosion can still occur.
If the connector in your Tesla’s charging port is wet, make sure you turn off the breaker, then plug/unplug it. This is to avoid electric shock, which can still occur in both a TWC and a supercharger.
And since TWCs won’t fill up with fluid if you keep the connector upside down, you could even charge them in moderate rainstorms, but the driver’s manual will warn you against doing so.
One Major Exception
Like many electrical products, Teslas are no exception when it comes to supplying a standard cable or charger. The standard mobile connector that comes with your Tesla is not water or weatherproof. These chargers only charge at 3 miles (5 km) per hour, and they supply 120V.
While they are not waterproof, these plug-in cables are at least convenient since they can fit into many normal plug sockets, like your standard garage socket. And once again, Tesla has anticipated that not everyone choosing to use just a standard cable connector will have access to a garage, so if you do not have one, don’t fear.
Just get a Tesla specialist or an electrician to install a waterproof outlet, and you are good to go. It is also advisable to have the outlet installed at least 18 inches (46 cm) high.
Are Tesla Superchargers Waterproof?
Tesla superchargers are waterproof, and they are often sheltered from the elements. When you charge your Tesla at a supercharger, the car’s computer will not start the charge until it runs an initial safety check. Once it confirms everything is safe, you can go ahead and start the charging process.
Can You Charge A Tesla In The Snow?
You can charge a Tesla in the snow, as the Tesla Wall Connector and supercharger are designed to be weatherproof. As with charging in the rain, if you only have access to a Tesla mobile connector, it’s best to wait until the snow passes before charging your car.
Just as it is not a good idea to charge a Tesla during a heavy rainstorm, it is also not feasible to do this during a snowstorm, as the owner’s manual suggests. You should follow similar procedures regarding the snow as you would in the rain, keeping the connector upside down when there is a chance of precipitation in the forecast.
If there is light to moderate snow accumulation on the ground, feel free to charge. But if there is a winter storm warning, it is best to wait until it passes to charge your Tesla.
Can You Charge Your Tesla During A Thunderstorm?
You can charge your Tesla during a thunderstorm, but it is not recommended. Although it is safe to charge a Tesla in the rain, it is not as safe to charge one during a thunderstorm. If a storm is approaching, you should wait for the storm to blow over before charging.
This is because, if you are using an older charger, a surge can generate if lightning hits it. While this would be a rare phenomenon, it has been known to occur, and it will damage your Tesla’s battery. Not only would your battery be at risk, but you are also at risk of lightning striking you during a charge, so it is best to wait and charge later.
Final Thoughts
It is generally safe to charge a Tesla in the rain, provided you have a waterproof or weatherproof Tesla Wall Connector, or you are charging your Tesla at a supercharger. Charging may not be safe in the rain if you’re using a Tesla mobile connector.