Tesla: Your questions answered

Here, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions from our customers about Tesla vehicles, helping you get to grips with arguably the most exciting electric vehicle manufacturer out there.

And don't forget we're happy to help with your Tesla leasing requirements.

Many people are hesitant to swap petrol or diesel for electric because of range anxiety. Here at DriveElectric, we've found that range anxiety only really exists in non-EV drivers — get behind the wheel of an electric car and it soon disappears.

The impressive range you get from a Tesla is a huge part of the appeal. Here's what the current UK range looks like:

Teslas use lithium-ion batteries, which deliver excellent performance over long periods of time. Tesla continues to invest heavily in battery technology, with ongoing improvements in energy density and longevity built into each new model generation. The 2025 Juniper update to the Model Y brought improved efficiency, meaning more range without a directly proportional increase in battery size.

Battery capacity varies across the current UK range:

• The Model 3 Standard RWD uses a 60kWh battery, while the Model 3 Long Range RWD has a larger 79kWh unit.
• The Model Y Standard RWD uses a 57.5kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, while the Premium Long Range variants use a larger long-range battery.

Tesla tends not to publish exact usable capacity figures, but these are the broadly accepted specifications based on available data.

Tesla charge ports open via the car's touchscreen or by pressing the port cover when the car is unlocked. The indicator light around the charging connector tells you the status: white means ready to charge, blue means preparing to charge, and green means charging is in progress.

Yes, and for most drivers this is where the majority of charging happens. We always recommend having a professionally installed home charger unit if you have off-street parking. It's the cheapest and most convenient way to keep your Tesla topped up, and means your car starts every morning ready to go.

Using a 7kW home charger, a Tesla Model Y Long Range can be charged from 10% to 100% in around 10–11 hours overnight.

Installing a home wallbox gives you the fastest home charging speeds and maximum convenience. Costs vary depending on the unit and installer, but typically a 7kW smart charger costs between £800 and £1,200 installed. A smart charger lets you schedule charging to run overnight, taking advantage of cheaper off-peak electricity tariffs, which can make a significant difference to your running costs over the course of a lease.

The cost depends on your battery size and your electricity tariff. The simplest way to calculate it is to multiply your battery capacity by your cost per kWh..

As a rough guide, with a home overnight tariff of around 7–9p per kWh (available on dedicated EV tariffs such as EDF GoElectric), an full charge on a 57.5kWh Model Y Standard could cost as little as £4–5. On a standard rate of around 24p per kWh, the same charge costs around £14.

Public rapid charging costs more: typically 50–80p per kWh depending on the network and location. The Tesla Supercharger network operates pay-per-use pricing that varies by location and time of day, always displayed clearly in the Tesla app.

Tesla batteries are designed to be durable. Independent data consistently shows that Teslas retain a high proportion of their original range even after high mileage, losing on average around 1% of capacity per year under normal use. Tesla offers an 8-year or 120,000-mile warranty (whichever comes first) on the battery and drive unit across the current UK range, giving you confidence over a standard lease term.

When you lease a Tesla through us, battery longevity isn't something you need to worry about. You simply hand the car back at the end of the agreement.

Both the Model 3 and Model Y use a CCS rapid charging connector as standard, which means they're compatible with the vast majority of public rapid chargers across the UK. That said, the Tesla Supercharger network remains the most reliable and consistent rapid charging experience, we still recommend using it where practical on longer journeys.

Free public charging has become increasingly rare as electricity costs have risen. There are still some free destination chargers in certain locations, particularly in Scotland, but it's best not to rely on free charging as part of your regular routine.

Even the entry-level Model Y Standard RWD covers 0–60mph in 6.9 seconds, which is quicker than most conventionally powered family SUVs. The Performance AWD brings that down to just 3.3 seconds and into supercar territory. The Model 3 Performance is similarly rapid at 3.1 seconds.

Without a combustion engine, Tesla's air conditioning is powered by an electric motor, providing efficient cabin cooling and heating. A particularly useful feature is pre-conditioning. This is where you can set the cabin to your preferred temperature while the car is still plugged in, so it's warm or cool before you get in without drawing from the battery.

Tesla's built-in navigation automatically plans Supercharger stops on long journeys, calculating exactly where and how long to charge based on your current battery level, destination and driving conditions. It updates in real time as you drive. For most UK journeys it simply takes care of itself.

In 2019, driver in Germany completed over a million kilometres (621,000 miles) in a Tesla Model S, requiring only two battery packs and three drive unit replacements along the way.

It's an extreme example, but it illustrates the fundamental durability of the platform. For a typical lease driver covering 10,000–15,000 miles a year, longevity is simply not a concern.

From April 2025, fully electric vehicles including Teslas became subject to standard Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) for the first time. The current standard rate is £195 per year. Teslas registered between 1 April 2017 and 31 March 2025 pay a different rate depending on their original list price. If you're leasing, VED is typically included in the lease agreement, worth confirming when you get your quote.

Tesla drivers in London continue to benefit from exemption from the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charge.

*Real-world figures estimated at approximately 85% of WLTP. Actual range varies by speed, temperature and driving style.