No, you cannot put gasoline in a Tesla. Tesla vehicles are Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), meaning they operate solely on electricity stored in a large battery pack and use an electric motor for propulsion. They lack the internal combustion engine, fuel tank, fuel pump, and all the other components required for gasoline. Putting any amount of gasoline into a Tesla's charge port, which is the only filler opening, would cause significant damage and is a serious safety hazard.
The confusion often arises from plug-in hybrid vehicles, which do have both an electric motor and a gasoline engine. A Tesla is a pure electric vehicle. Instead of refueling with gas, you "refuel" by charging the battery. The primary methods are:
- Home Charging: Using a standard 120-volt household outlet (Level 1, very slow) or a professionally installed 240-volt charger (Level 2, which can fully charge a battery overnight).
- Public Charging: Using Level 2 chargers at destinations like shopping centers or Tesla's extensive Supercharger network. Superchargers are DC fast chargers that can add up to 200 miles of range in about 15 minutes.
If you run out of charge, the solution is not a gas can. Tesla provides roadside assistance for a tow to the nearest charger, or you can use a mobile charger if you have access to a power outlet. The cost of charging is typically significantly lower than the equivalent cost of gasoline, especially when charging at home during off-peak hours.
| Charging Method | Typical Power Level | Approximate Range Added Per Hour | Ideal Use Case |
|---|
| Level 1 (Standard Outlet) | 120V / 15A | 3-5 miles | Emergency or overnight top-up |
| Level 2 (Home/Public) | 240V / 30-50A | 25-45 miles | Overnight charging, destination charging |
| Tesla Supercharger (DC Fast) | Up to 250 kW | 200 miles in ~15 min | Long-distance travel, quick top-ups |
