Tesla destination charger guide: What to know about the network, how it compares to Superchargers

• A Tesla destination charger lets users charge their cars at locations like hotels, malls, and restaurants. 
• There are over 40,000 connectors at destination chargers. 
• Here's how they are different than Tesla's Supercharger network. 

A Tesla destination charger lets users charge their cars at locations like hotels, malls, restaurants, and parking garages. Unlike Supercharging, destination charging is designed more for overnight stopovers or to stay topped up while running errands, as opposed to short breaks in a road trip. 

How does destination charging work?

Destination charging is free for Tesla owners and can add up to 44 miles of range in an hour, but there may be other parking fees involved depending on the host business. 

While using a Destination Charger, your car will alert you through the Tesla app when it's fully charged, and you can check on the status at any time. 

Charging partners are expected to install six or more Wall Connectors at a single location. Wall Connectors are the same Level 2 products that can be installed by a private owner at home. Once a business purchases and installs a set of connectors, they can register to be added to Tesla's map and Trip Planner for destination chargers. A Wall Connector costs $475 each. In order to be considered a charging destination, a business must maintain regular hours, the ability to accommodate the public with goods and services and have full-time employees on site during those hours.

Destination chargers vs Superchargers

Tesla destination charging is different than Supercharging because of the speed by which they charge. Supercharging can add up to 200 miles of driving range in as little as 15 minutes using DC fast charging. 

Destination charging uses a slower charge, known as Level 2 charging, which is similar to how you'd likely charge your Tesla at home, depending on the setup. 

Tesla says there are over 40,000 Destination Charger sites across North America. Tesla will make at least 7,500 charging stations available to all electric vehicles by the end of 2024, the White House said in February. At least 3,500 of the 7,500 chargers will include Tesla's 250-kilowatt Superchargers on highway corridors, as well as slower Level 2 destination chargers installed at restaurants and hotels, per the statement.

Both Superchargers and destination chargers are included in Tesla's Trip Planner feature, which allows drivers to find a route that includes a charger if needed. Your app will indicate how much mileage you have left in your Tesla battery, and direct you to a route with a charger if needed.

Tesla's Supercharger network is now also opening to other EV makers, including Ford, GM, and Rivian.