Tesla Model S
Every New Tesla Owner’s Dilemma: Dual Chargers vs High Power Wall Connector (HPWC)
An analysis of the HPWC and Dual Charger options for charging the Tesla Model S.
When you purchase a car, you typically buy what’s on the lot and it’s either fully loaded or stripped down with the bare necessities. Custom orders are few and far between. With Tesla you almost always end up configuring the vehicle to your exact specifications. While they do have inventory cars for immediate sale, they’re often used vehicles with a previous life as a service loaner or test drive vehicle.
There are really 3 kinds of buyers for the Model S when it comes to options:
- Those who opt for every available option and price is not a factor.
- Those that go for the bare minimum options and stretch their budgets in order to get into the car. These are the owners with the stripped down Model S 60 kWh’s (or even 40’s!) with no Tech package etc.
- Those that are in between and select only those options that they really need in order to save money.
If you’re in category 3 then read on.
Two points that need to be considered when ordering a Tesla Model S is whether or not the High Power Wall Connector (HPWC) is really for you; a $1,200 option that provides two times the charging rate of the standard option.
The second point to consider is whether you want the on-board dual chargers,
another $1,500 option which allows twice the conversion capacity as the single charger when the power is available.
Originally the HPWC and Dual Chargers were a single option around $3,000 and later on Tesla split the options out. Why they did that is interesting and indicates that there maybe a reason for having dual chargers without the HPWC.
Also see: Should You Leave Your Tesla Universal Mobile Connector (UMC) Plugged In?
I drive a lot: 35K miles per year. Other than a relative who’s a full time truck driver, I drive more than anyone I know. I plan on driving my Tesla just as much. On a daily basis I range from 90 miles to 175 miles in a given day just based on my usual pattern of family shuttling and commuting.
Do you really need the Tesla High Power Wall Connector (HPWC)?
Tesla has a good charging speed calculator on their site. If you take a conservative 200 miles per day and charge on the “standard recommended” home adapter through a NEMA 14-50 outlet, you can replenish the battery capacity in 6 hours 48 minutes. This measure of time is somewhat misleading as Tesla tends to provide “best” numbers and, unlike an ICE car, charging from an empty battery state is faster than charging from 20% left. Assuming you don’t arrive home with 0 miles left, the time to charge could be a bit longer. Most people I know, once home from work, are there for a minimum of 8 hours thereby giving them a significant amount of time to charge up. While Tesla recommends the HPWC for anyone regularly driving over 100 miles a day, I think the guidance is incorrect and the HPWC is not needed for the most part.
That being said, there are possible edge cases where it could be needed:
- On-call type people that can come and go from the charge location with few hours each time and long times away from the charger. Doctors and other professions like that should carefully consider their patterns.
- People that can take advantage of time-of-use metering (discounted off-peak electricity rates) from their electricity provider. Here in Massachusetts you have to consume at least 2,500 kWh per month over a 12 month period to qualify and generally this doesn’t work for homeowners even with high energy consumption. My utilization can run as high as 2,296 kWh/month but this still wouldn’t qualify.
- The HPWC is one way to get a second charging cable. It’s not the most efficient way since a second mobile connector is just over half the price, so you’re better off buying that second mobile connector and leaving it connected in the garage.
- It’s for a business or public use environment. Here people need to come and go as fast as possible. Whether that’s your business or you decided to share your power via PlugShare or the like, then you’ll want to provide the fastest charge possible to get people moving on.
So you don’t need the HPWC. Also don’t forget that the HPWC requires a lot more power and will likely cost more to install than a standard NEMA 14-50. A NEMA 14-50 home installation can run between $1,000-$1,500 but this varies greatly depending on the distance that power lines needs to be pulled and the underlying power supply/infrastructure of your home set up. I was fortunate enough to have mine installed at $675 since, apparently, my infrastructure didn’t require too much of an upgrade.
Tesla Dual Chargers
If you don’t purchase the HPWC option do you really need dual chargers? Personally, unless you never plan on taking an extended road trip or don’t care about future proofing you car, the on board dual chargers could provide some tremdous value. It’s this very same reason why I modified my order at the last minute and added the dual charger option.
At home using a NEMA 14-50 or on the road using only the Tesla Superchargers network (ie, epic 12,000 mile Tesla road trip) you wouldn’t need dual chargers. The dual chargers provides no benefit in each of those scenarios.
However, by having the dual chargers, you’d be able to take advantage of several fast charge options out there while future-proofing your vehicle as public charging technology advances.
- Publicly available HPWC’s out there like those at a Tesla Store or Tesla Service Center or those shared by homeowners and businesses which will grow over time. To take advantage of max charge rates on these you need dual chargers. Not all HPWCs provide more than 40A though.
- Public EV Plugs (J1772) can go up to 70A. The number of these that are over 40A is very limited today but that is rapidly changing. To take advantage of max charge rates on these you need dual chargers.
- CHAdeMO outlets offer higher speed charging for those that can take advantage of them. Tesla has been promising an adapter for a while but has yet to deliver.
While dual chargers are an extra cost on top of an already expensive car, at roughly 1% of the cost of the car and potentially saving hours of frustrating wait time, I think the decision to get dual chargers is a no-brainer and provides some future proofing for the car. HPWC likely always an unnecessary expense.
Thoughts/comments? Would love to hear from you.
News
Tesla removes Model S and X custom orders as sunset officially begins
In a significant development that marks the beginning of the end for two of its longest-running models, Tesla has removed the custom order configurator for the Model S sedan and Model X SUV from its website.
Tesla has officially started the “honorable discharge” of the Model S and Model X with a massive move, removing the two vehicles from Custom Orders and only offering inventory options.
It is the latest move Tesla has made to pull the Model S and Model X from its lineup, a decision CEO Elon Musk announced during its last quarterly earnings call.
Tesla brings closure to flagship ‘sentimental’ models, Musk confirms
In a significant development that marks the beginning of the end for two of its longest-running models, Tesla has removed the custom order configurator for the Model S sedan and Model X SUV from its website.
As of April 1, visitors to tesla.com/model-s and tesla.com/modelx are now redirected exclusively to limited inventory listings rather than a design studio, allowing buyers to select paint, wheels, interior options, or performance upgrades. Only pre-built vehicles currently in stock are available for purchase or lease.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed the change directly on X, posting: “Custom orders of the Tesla Model S & X have come to an end. All that’s left are some in inventory.”
Custom orders of the Tesla Model S & X have come to an end. All that’s left are some in inventory.
We will have an official ceremony to mark the ending of an era. I love those cars.
This was me at production launch 14 years ago: pic.twitter.com/6kvCf9HTHc
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 1, 2026
We will have an official ceremony to mark the end of an era.” Accompanying the statement was a throwback photo from the Model S production launch in 2012, underscoring the emotional weight of the decision.
Musk had first signaled the phase-out during the company’s Q4 2025 earnings call in January, describing it as time for an “honorable discharge” of the programs to free up resources at the Fremont factory for Optimus humanoid robot production and autonomous vehicle initiatives.
The Model S, introduced in 2012, and the Model X, which followed in 2015, were instrumental in establishing Tesla as a premium electric vehicle leader.
The sedan offered class-leading range and acceleration, while the SUV’s signature falcon-wing doors became an iconic feature. Together, they proved EVs could compete in the luxury segment. Yet sales volumes have dwindled in recent years as Tesla prioritized higher-volume Model 3 and Model Y vehicles.
The flagships now represent a tiny fraction of overall deliveries, making continued custom production inefficient as the company accelerates toward robotaxis and next-generation platforms.
Prospective buyers are urged to act quickly. Remaining U.S. inventory vehicles—some nearly new—may include incentives such as lifetime free Supercharging, Full Self-Driving (Supervised) capability, and premium connectivity, depending on configuration.
Leasing options start around $1,699 per month for select Model X units, though exact pricing and availability fluctuate. International markets, including Europe and China, have already seen similar restrictions in recent months.
The move aligns with Tesla’s broader strategy to streamline its lineup and redirect manufacturing capacity toward autonomy and AI-driven products. While some enthusiasts lament the loss of personalization, the company views the transition as necessary progress.
Tesla has indicated that once the current inventory sells out, new Model S and Model X vehicles will no longer be offered.
For loyal owners and fans, the promised “official ceremony” may provide a fitting send-off. In the meantime, the website change serves as a clear signal: the era of bespoke flagship Teslas has quietly concluded, and the focus has fully shifted to the future.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk hints at “official ceremony” with throwback photo to close Tesla Model S, Model X chapter
Elon Musk promises an official ceremony to mark the end of Tesla Model S and Model X production.
Tesla has officially begun winding down production of the Model S and Model X, sending farewell emails to U.S. customers on March 27 and updating the website to reflect the end of the line. Shoppers visiting Tesla.com now find only a limited set of Model S and Model X inventory units available for purchase, with no option to configure a new factory build. The move formalizes what CEO Elon Musk announced on the company’s Q4 2025 earnings call in January, when he said it was “time to basically bring the Model S and X programs to an end with an honorable discharge.”
Musk posted on X a throwback photo of himself speaking at the Model S production launch in 2012, and noting “We will have an official ceremony to mark the ending of an era. I love those cars.”
The mention of an official ceremony is notable. Tesla has not held a formal farewell event for a vehicle before, and Musk’s wording suggests this will be something deliberate rather than a quiet line shutdown. Given that Musk’s X post shows a photo of him on stage with a microphone in front of an audience at the Fremont factory, it wouldn’t be too far-fetched to expect a closing ceremony to take place at the same location. Perhaps? Whether it becomes a public event, a private gathering for employees, or a livestreamed moment on X remains to be seen.
Custom orders of the Tesla Model S & X have come to an end. All that’s left are some in inventory.
We will have an official ceremony to mark the ending of an era. I love those cars.
This was me at production launch 14 years ago: pic.twitter.com/6kvCf9HTHc
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 1, 2026
The Model S first went on sale nearly fifteen years ago and was Tesla’s first fully in-house designed vehicle, proving that an electric car could be fast, desirable, and capable of long distance on a single charge. The Model X followed in 2015, turning heads with its unmistakable and distinctive falcon-wing doors, while becoming one of the first all-electric SUVs on the market. Tesla’s two flagship vehicles would ultimately push legacy automakers to take all-electric transportation seriously and help fund development of the more affordable Model 3 and Model Y.
By 2025, however, both models had been reduced to a rounding error in Tesla’s sales figures. Musk was direct about what comes next, stating “We are going to convert that production space to an Optimus factory. It’s part of our overall shift to an autonomous future.”
Elon Musk’s $10 Trillion robot: Inside Tesla’s push to mass produce Optimus
That shift is already underway. Tesla officially started Optimus Gen 3 production at its Fremont factory in January 2026, with the line targeting a run rate of one million units per year. The Gen 3 robot features 22 degrees of freedom per hand, runs on Tesla’s AI5 chip, and shares the same neural network architecture as Full Self-Driving. A dedicated Optimus factory at Gigafactory Texas is also under construction, with a planned annual capacity of 10 million units. The production lines that once built the Model S and Model X are being converted to support that ramp.
Tesla confirmed it will continue to support existing owners with service, software updates, and parts for as long as people own the vehicles. For buyers still interested in a new example, remaining U.S. inventory is discounted and the window is closing fast.
News
Tesla makes latest announcement on Model S and Model X
The announcement follows Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s statement on the Q4 2025 earnings call in late January. Musk described the decision as an “honorable discharge” for the two vehicles, noting that production would wind down in Q2 2026.
Tesla has officially begun winding down production of its flagship Model S and Model X in the United States, notifying owners via email that the long-running models will soon reach the end of the line.
The email, sent to U.S. customers on March 27, opens with gratitude. “Model S and Model X marked the beginning of the world’s transition to electric transportation,” it reads. “These vehicles also made it possible for Tesla to develop the technology that would move our world toward autonomy.”
It then delivers the news directly: “As we make way for this autonomous future, Model S and Model X production will be ending. If you’d like to bring home a new Model S or Model X, order yours soon from our limited inventory.”
Tesla just sent out a new email thanking Model S/X owners.
“These vehicles made it possible for Tesla to develop the technology that would move our world toward autonomy. As we make way for this autonomous future, Model S and Model X production will be ending. If you’d like to… pic.twitter.com/IeUhZ3iDnX
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) March 27, 2026
The message closes with a simple thank-you: “Thank you for being part of our journey.”
The announcement follows Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s statement on the Q4 2025 earnings call in late January. Musk described the decision as an “honorable discharge” for the two vehicles, noting that production would wind down in Q2 2026.
The move frees factory floor space at Fremont, California, for next-generation manufacturing, including Optimus humanoid robots and the upcoming Robotaxi platform.
Introduced in 2012 and 2015, respectively, the Model S and Model X were Tesla’s original halo cars. They proved EVs could outperform gasoline luxury vehicles in acceleration, range, and tech features while pioneering over-the-air updates and early autonomy hardware.
Although they never matched the volume of the Model 3 and Model Y, their engineering breakthroughs laid the foundation for the company’s current lineup and full self-driving development.
Early adopters highlighted how the cars convinced them to invest in Tesla stock and the EV movement. Some U.S. owners who had not yet received the note voiced mild frustration, and international customers confirmed the outreach remains U.S.-only for now.
Tesla has not detailed an exact final production date beyond the Q2 2026 target or confirmed immediate replacements. Speculation continues about a possible Cybertruck-derived SUV, but the company’s public focus has shifted squarely to autonomy and robotics.
For buyers still interested in the S or X, the window is closing. Inventory is described as limited, and Tesla’s Korean division has already set a March 31 cutoff for new orders in that market. The email serves as both a farewell and final sales push, an elegant close to a chapter that helped define modern electric driving.
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