The J1772 adapter is an essential accessory to charge your Tesla at J1772 standard public or non-Tesla charging stations. But what is a J1772 adapter, why is it so important for Tesla, and does tesla come with j1772 adapter?
Quick Glance:
- As of September 2023, all newly purchased Tesla Models will come with an SAE J1772 Charging Adapter. But owners can also buy them separately.
- Tesla J1772 Adapter supports up to 19.2kW charging speed at Public Level 2 charger.
- This adapter bridges the compatibility gap between Tesla’s proprietary charging connector and the public (standard J1772) connector.
- In August 2023, Tesla launched a new “Universal Wall Connector” with an integrated adaptor for both NACS (North American Charging Standard) and SAE-J1772. In October, these Connectors will be available for shipment.
The latest models of tesla like Model 3, S, X, Y provides j1772 adapter at purchase. But the adapter may not come as default with the older models of Tesla.
What Is a J1772 Adapter?
It is a widely adopted North American industry standard with five-pin interfaces for charging electric vehicles like Tesla Models. This adapter is commonly referred to as “SAE J1772,” “J connector or plug,” or “Type 1 connector.”
The J1772 adapter mainly acts as a bridge or connecting medium between the Tesla vehicle’s charging port and the charging plug (must be J1772 standard) while charging in public or non-Tesla charging stations.
Tesla sells its own J1772 adapter which is compatible with most Level 2 charging stations and supports up to 19.2kW charging speeds. But other J1772 standard adaptors, such as the Lectron and SEGUMA adapters are also compatible with Tesla charging adapters.
Compatibility, Speed & Capacity:
The J1772 adapter is compatible with different levels of charging capacity, including Level 1 (110 to 120 Volts) and Level 2 (208 to 240 volts) charging.
Most Level 1 chargers with a J-plug or adapter have a 1 kW power output and can charge an Electric Vehicle (from empty) in 5 to 6 hours. But Level 2 chargers with a J-adapter have 7 to 19 kW power output to charge an EV in 1 to 2 hours.
A standard Level 2 charger with a J-adapter is the ideal charging setup for charging Tesla in a non-Tesla station.
The SAE J-adapter is compatible with All Tesla Models and all the Tesla charging connectors except the Supercharger.
Differences Between the Tesla Wall Connector and the J1772 Adapter
The Tesla Wall Connector is a home charging option that works with all Tesla models. A Wall Connector with a maximum power output of up to 48 amps may charge your Tesla much faster.
This charging solution has a visually appealing clean and simple style that is suited for usage at home or in the workplace.
On the other hand, the J1772 Adapter is an accessory that enables you to charge your Tesla vehicles at any standard J1772 charging station. It typically works as a connecting medium between the car and the public charging station.
While the Tesla Wall Connector is a charging option exclusive to Tesla EVs, the SAE J1772 Adapter has a more universal approach and is compatible with all EVs sold in the USA.
How Does the J1772 Adapter Work?
The J-adapter has two sides, where one side goes in the Tesla charging port and the other side is designed to fit in the charging station.
First, the user plugs the J-plug properly into the car’s charging port, then connects the adapter’s J1772 plug to the plug point of the respective charging station.
This establishes an electrical connection between the charger and the vehicle as well as ensures a safe and efficient transfer of electricity to recharge Tesla’s batteries.
This adapter also provides signal communication between the vehicle and the charger to exchange vital information, including:
- the maximum charging rate supported by the station,
- the charging status, and
- any potential faults or errors.
Related Post: How Often Should I Charge My Tesla To 100%?
Does Tesla Come with J1772 Adapter?
All the confusion about whether the J1772 adapter is available on all Tesla Models actually initiated in 2022 when Tesla announced not to provide mobile charging kits as “standard.”
This announcement led many to think that Tesla will no longer provide the J1772 adapter with its vehicles.
However, Elon Musk clarified the confusion later by stating that they are going to remove the “Mobile Connector or Charging Kit” from the default packaging facility.
That means owners will not get the Mobile charging kit with their newly purchased Tesla. Instead, they can buy the kit separately from Tesla.
It seems that with the announcement of Tesla’s upcoming “Universal Wall Connector” launch, that old concern sparked up in many owners’ minds.
As of September 2023, Tesla is offering its own J1772 adapter with every new Tesla vehicle, including Model S, 3, X, and Y. That means all Tesla vehicles come with a J1772 adapter as standard equipment or accessory.
However, one should also note that some older Models may not come with the adapter by default.
Many Tesla owners also claimed that they received their new car without these adapters. So, in that case, you should contact Tesla Customer Service or purchase the adapter individually.
Can You Purchase a J1772 Adapter Separately?
Yes. Even though Tesla owners will get one with each newly purchased vehicle, owners are also allowed to buy the adapters separately.
If you own an older Tesla Model that did not come with the J1772 adapter or if you simply keep a spare one in stock, you can purchase it separately from either the Tesla Online Shop or at authorized Tesla Service centers.
Besides that, you can also go for third-party options, such as the Lectron J1772 to Tesla Charging Adapter, which supports 60 Amp / 250-Volt AC and is compatible with Tesla SAE J1772 chargers.
Another great alternative will be the Lectron Tesla to J1772 Adapter for electric vehicle chargers, which supports a maximum of 40A and 250-volt. This is compatible with Tesla Destination Chargers and may cost between $134.99 to $159.99.
Related Post: Take Care of Your Tesla Emergency Charge Like A Pro!
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
What type of charging adaptor does my Tesla come with?
Tesla vehicles come with a NEMA 5-15 or NEMA 14-50 charging adaptor so that you can use them to plug into most standard household outlets or high-power connectors.
How fast can Tesla charge using the J1772 adapter?
Most J1772 Level 2 chargers can provide your electric vehicle with 20 to 25 miles of range per hour. Thus, if you have a typical Tesla with a 250-mile range, it will take roughly 10 hours to fully charge.
Can I use the Tesla Supercharger network with the included charging adaptor?
No. The included J1772 charging adaptor is designed for convenient charging at home or other non-Tesla charging stations. Superchargers require a separate Tesla-specific cable.
Are Tesla charging stations equipped with adapters?
Yes. Tesla has developed a “Magic Dock” adapter so that non-Tesla EV users can charge their vehicles at Tesla charging stations.
Is the J1772 adapter compatible with all Tesla models?
Absolutely yes.
Can the J1772 adapter be used with any charging station?
Yes, you can connect the J1772 adapter to any J1772 standard charging station.
