Did you know your new Tesla isn't really a car? It feels more like a high-voltage server room on wheels that just happens to have cup holders. When I brought my 2026 Long Range home, I didn't just see 0-60 times. I saw thermal management systems, battery chemistry, and a whole lot of software.
Most people just drive these cars. But if you’re reading this, you’re probably like me—the kind of person who actually reads the manual (or the portions online which interest you) because you want to know why things work, not just how.
I’m writing this blog to document what I’m learning as I live with this machine. I’m a pragmatist at heart, and I want to figure out how to keep this car running perfectly for the long haul without letting it take over my life(or so I try!).
State of Charge is about finding that balance. I'll be sharing my notes on a verity of topics such as:
The Physics: How things like speed and temperature seem to actually impact range.
The Economics: Why I decided against spending big money on a Wall Connector.
Longevity: My attempts to treat the battery like a marathon runner rather than a sprinter.
I’m certainly not the ultimate authority, but I am obsessive about data. My hope is that by sharing the "Dad Hacks" and research I’ve gathered, I can save you some time and keep your family’s EV journey smooth.
Two Quick Lessons I’ve Learned So Far Before we get into various fun, life hacks, sometime nerdy or advanced stuff in future posts, here are two "House Rules" I’ve adopted based on my research. They seem to be the sweet spot for balancing convenience and health.
1. The "Middle Path" (30-80%) The Tesla screen lets you charge to 100%, but everything I’ve read suggests that lithium-ion batteries really prefer moderation. They don't like being stuffed full (100%) or starved (0%). I know there are other battery technologies out there such as LFP which are different, but I'll stick to the battery type my car has, for this article.
What I’m Doing: I’ve set my daily charge limit in the app to 75%.
Why: Unless I’m heading out on a road trip immediately, keeping the battery in this "middle path" seems to be the best way to minimize stress on the cells. Based on my daily driving needs, 75% ensures that even if I have to run out in the evening for some kids classes or un-planned errands, the car is no lower than around 50% by my end of day. By morning, the car is charged back to a nice 75%, ready to take on the next day(I do keep my car mostly plugged-in at home). It’s a small habit that I’m hoping pays off in battery health years down the road.
2. The Outlet Discovery (NEMA 5-20) Like a lot of new owners, I initially panicked thinking I needed to pay an electrician $1,000 to wire up a high-speed charger. Also, I am currently renting and cannot make major electrical changes in the house.
My Workaround: I found about NEMA 5-20 outlet —it has a "T" shaped slot on the neutral side. This is around 40% more efficient for charging, over the regular NEMA 5-15 outlet found in houses.
Why It Helps: NEMA 5-20. It looks standard, but it’s rated for 20 amps. By swapping to the right adapter (about $35), I’m charging about 15-20% faster than a regular plug. It’s not "Supercharger" fast, but for my daily routine, it covers 100% of my needs without any renovation work.
Thanks for reading, and enjoy your Tesla[my referral link]!
Saurabh.
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