Tesla Mobile Connector vs a Hardwired Charger

At a glance

Choose the Tesla Mobile Connector, 32 A if…

Carry the Mobile Connector for travel and keep it in the car. It is the right tool for charging at a rental, a relative's house or a hotel with an appropriate outlet, and the plug adapters cover the common ones. It is not intended to live outdoors permanently, and using a portable cord as a fixed installation exposes a connection that was never designed for constant weather.

Check Tesla Mobile Connector, 32 A on Amazon

Choose the Emporia Level 2 EV Charger, 48 A, J1772 if…

Install a hardwired unit for daily charging. It is faster, it is rated for permanent outdoor mounting, and the connection is inside a properly terminated enclosure rather than a plug and socket carrying a heavy continuous load. The circuit itself, whether for a wall unit or for an outlet the cord would use, is licensed electrician work and needs a permit and an inspection.

Check Emporia Level 2 EV Charger, 48 A, J1772 on Amazon

Related

• Charge time calculator
• Charging speed chart
• Breaker size calculator

Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these products side by side. Confirm current specifications and prices before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

We review them on their own too, in full detail: the Tesla Mobile Connector and the Tesla Wall Connector.

Common questions

Is a NEMA 14-50 outlet enough on its own?

It is a legitimate way to charge, and the outlet still has to be installed on a properly sized dedicated circuit by a licensed electrician under permit. The other consideration is that a plug and socket carrying 32 or 40 amps for hours nightly is a wear item, and cheap receptacles have been a documented source of overheating. The receptacle comparison page on this site covers that.

Do I need a GFCI breaker for an outlet installation?

Code in many jurisdictions requires ground fault protection for a receptacle in a garage or outdoors, and hardwired EV supply equipment is often treated differently because it contains its own protection. What applies to you depends on the code edition your area has adopted and the inspector's interpretation. Your electrician will know, and this is exactly the sort of thing a permit and inspection exists to settle.

Can I use an extension cord with a portable charger?

Manufacturers generally say not to, and for good reason: an undersized or damaged cord carrying 32 amps continuously is a fire risk, and the connection points add resistance and heat. If the charger cannot reach, the answer is to have the outlet or the wall unit installed in the right place, not to bridge the gap with a cord.

How much slower is 32 amps?

It delivers 7.7 kW against 11.5 kW, so roughly a third less per hour, which is around 25 miles of range an hour against 35 or so. Over a full night that difference rarely matters, since both cover far more than a typical day's driving. It matters when you need a fast turnaround in the evening.

Getting your own panel and load numbers ready for an electrician? The EV Home Charging Install Planner is the paid version of these pages: 8 printable worksheets you fill in with your own numbers, plus the full PDF, $29.