How to Use Tesla J1772 Adapter At Non-Tesla Public Charging Stations

Last Updated on February 24, 2023 by Rose Morah

If you want to know how to use the Tesla J1772 adapter to charge your Tesla, then you are in the right place.

This article shows you how to use the Tesla J1772 adapter, and also covers:

• The J1772 charging speed.
• Great J1772 adapter tips and FAQs.

Can you charge your Tesla at a non-Tesla Charging Station?

Yes, you can charge at a non-Tesla charging station using the J1772 adapter. The adapter has 2 sides, one side goes in the Tesla and the other side fits in the third-party charger.

However, this does not apply to all public EV charging stations, which I will explain later.

Does tesla come with a J1772 adapter?

No, Tesla no longer includes the J1772 adapter in the Tesla charging kit.

You might wonder, why would you need to have a J1772 adapter given that Tesla has superchargers and its own portable charging cable?

• Well, if you live in locations that have very few superchargers and more third-party charging stations, then the J1772 adapter will be of great help.

• If you are going on a road trip on a route that has few superchargers or that is far stretched, a J1772 adapter will come in handy.

• It is easy to get free third-party charging stations such as ChargePoint in some locations. So, if you own a Tesla and want to enjoy free charging, you will need to have the j1772 adapter.

PRO-TIP Always leave the J1772 adapter in your car even when you think that you don’t need it. It might save you big time, depending on the circumstances.

See also: Is Tesla Full Self Drive Worth It?

How do you use the Tesla J1772 adapter at a non-Tesla public charging station?

Take the Tesla J1772 adapter and insert it into the non-Tesla charger that has the J1772 plug type. Insert the adapter on the side that looks similar to that of the non-Tesla charger.

After it is properly inserted, it will click right into its place. Then go ahead and plug in your Tesla and it should start to charge.

See also: Cool and Must-Have Tesla Model 3 and Y Accessories.

What is the J1772 charging speed?

Tesla J1772 adapter only works with Level 2 chargers. Therefore, you will get level 2 charging speeds when using a J1772 adapter.

What does this mean?

If you charge at a level 3 charger/ DC fast charger, it will not work.

When going on a road trip, I’d recommend you use EV route planner apps like PlugShare to find your level 2 public charging stations with a J1772 plug type along the route.

Related:

Best EV Route Planner in 2022 (According To EV Owners).

5 Tesla Supercharging Tips To Speed Up Your Charging Time On A Road Trip.

Smart Tips for Planning A Road Trip With An EV.

Worried that someone will steal your J1772 adapter?

No need to worry. Once you start charging you can go ahead and lock your car, and this will also lock the adapter to your car. 

However, it does not lock the public charger onto your car. This means that someone may unplug you, but the adapter will remain locked in your car.

How do you remove the J1772 adapter after charging

Press the release button on your charger handle to unplug the charger then pull off the adapter.

Alternatively, you can unlock the charger from your Tesla app on your phone then unplug it from the charge port and take off the adapter.

NOTE: It is easy to forget your adapter at the public charger.

Is there a price difference between charging at non-Tesla charging stations VS Tesla Superchargers?

Yes, you should expect different charging rates from different charging stations. 

The charging rates will vary depending on:

• The location.

Some locations will have cheap charging rates, while others will be expensive to charge on both third-party chargers and Tesla Superchargers.

This is mainly because of the difference in electricity rates in different locations.

• The third-party charging station rates.

Some third-party charging stations are free or cheaper than Tesla. Some are more expensive.

So, you would be wrong if you think that Tesla Supercharging stations are cheaper than third-party charging stations or vice versa. 

Check out how to determine the cost of a Tesla road trip.