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Mar 18, 2024

Is It Safe to Install Tesla Home Chargers Outside?

Indoor garage charging is ideal, but installing a charger outside is perfectly fine. Owning an electric car has several benefits, including the ability to charge at home. As EVs become more affordable

Indoor garage charging is ideal, but installing a charger outside is perfectly fine.

Owning an electric car has several benefits, including the ability to charge at home. As EVs become more affordable and popular, many drivers are buying one of Tesla's Wall Connector home charging stations. First-time buyers or retail building owners likely have a lot of questions, including whether you can install a Tesla charger outside.

While several brands make excellent at-home electric car chargers, Tesla's are among the most popular. And just like drive-up chargers located throughout the United States, most of which are outdoors, your home wall connector charger is perfectly safe to install and use outdoors. Here's what new EV owners need to know.

Tesla's Wall Connector Chargers, or the newest Universal Charger, are all designed for a quick and easy installation. Each unit has integrated terminals, long charging cables, and Wi-Fi for ease of use. Keep in mind that Tesla recommends all chargers be installed at your home or commercial business by a certified professional. Tesla even has a tool to help owners find a certified installer in their area.

Electric car charging stations are high-voltage electrical systems that require professional installation. Plus, a certified installer will ensure voltage and panel compatibility and help find an ideal location for the charging station.

Where you install a Tesla Wall Connector depends on your specific situation. Not every home has the same driveway, garage, or ideal placement. Furthermore, some homeowners may have a detached garage that's not easily accessible or used for parking vehicles, let alone a garage at all. And while Tesla does recommend installing the charger indoors, not to mention it's best to charge an EV indoors and away from elements and temperature shifts, that doesn't mean it's your only option.

Considering you're plugging huge wires full of electricity into a massive battery pack, it's fair to wonder whether home chargers can be installed outdoors. Even though almost every public charger is outdoors and all of Tesla's website images show its Wall Connectors outside, it's still a common question. And yes, you can install Tesla's home chargers (and most other brand options) outdoors without worry.

Tesla's Wall Connector home EV chargers are fully weatherproof, have sealed designs, hide any installation wires inside the wall, and even come with long 12, 18, or even 24-foot cables. As a result, installation on the outside of a garage or the front of a home near the driveway is perfectly acceptable.

Additionally, some owners with a garage but don't use it for parking still install EV chargers inside, especially if the cable is long enough to reach a vehicle. That way, it's inside and away from the elements, but the 18-ft cable can still reach a vehicle for charging through the garage door or custom-designed holes in the wall for cable routing. This gives you more flexibility for charger placement and parking.

As long as you follow the proper protocol for outdoor electrical installations (or hire a professional certified installer), you can absolutely install a Tesla charger outdoors. Furthermore, speeds will not be affected by choosing an outdoor install, yet you'll have it conveniently located for your situation.

While Tesla already offers a selection of home and business EV chargers, the latest model is a Universal Wall Connector that works with any EV. It has Tesla's standard plug, which will soon double as the North American Charging Standard (NACS) plug type, along with an integrated J1772 adapter for other brand EVs. Here's what to expect for those interested.

As you can see from the specifications listed above, the Universal Wall connector has a versatile indoor/outdoor design. Remember that while Tesla's home chargers are between $475 and $600, that's only for the charger itself. Most buyers will need to hire a professional installer whose job may include rewiring electric panels, upgrading a 120V outlet to 240V, and more, all of which will increase costs.

Either way, once you install a charger at home, you can save money on charging while skipping the gas station and avoid those over-used and busy EV chargers throughout the city.

Cory Gunther is a staff writer at Valnet, covering cutting-edge EVs, automotive, and more at How-To Geek and MakeUseOf. He's covered Android, cars, and technology in general for over a decade. When he's not reviewing the latest gadget, you can find him off-roading in his Toyota truck, fixing said truck, or doing something outdoors with friends and family.He's covered CES, SEMA, Mobile World Congress, and CTIA and reviewed countless phones, TVs, speakers, EVs, e-bikes, and mobile accessories. Prior to Valnet, Cory worked for GottaBeMobile, and his writing also appeared on SlashGear, AndroidCentral, and Newsweek, and he's written over 9,000 articles.