How Do I Charge My Tesla At Roadchef? A Simple Guide For New Tesla Owners

27 Jun 25

Congratulations! You’ve bought a Tesla but what next?

At current count, there are over 250,000 Tesla’s on UK roads. The industry-leading leading electric vehicle brand launched in Britain in 2014 and, with over a quarter of a million vehicles sold, you could say you’re never that far from a Tesla.

But, if you’re new to owning an electric vehicle or just behind the wheel of your first Tesla, whether that’s a Model 3, Model Y or have your name on a list for the brand-new Roadster, then that first charging session can be daunting.

There’s no need to panic though - you’ve got enough to think about with range anxiety!

Our high-powered charger network in 31 Roadchef motorway services across the United Kingdom can help you plug in and get back on the road in no time, with a Costa Coffee in hand.

Understanding Your Tesla Model & Charging Needs

There are currently two Tesla models available from new within the UK marketplace, whilst two previous models are available on the second hand market. You can purchase the Tesla Model S and Model X in the UK, but only as left hand drive vehicles.

Tesla does not offer the futuristic-looking Cybertruck model in the United Kingdom currently.

Each vehicle type manufactured by Tesla has different charging capabilities, which will affect how you need to plug in!

Tesla Model 3 & Model Y

These models were introduced to the UK market in 2019 and 2022 respectively and are the most common Tesla models on British roads. It’s believed that nearly 35,000 Tesla Model Y vehicles were sold in 2023 (BuyACar, 2024).

Both of these vehicles are compatible with all chargers at Roadchef, using a CCS (Combined Charging System) connection to recharge.

Simply tap the charging port, located on the side of the vehicle behind the extended brake light, and plug your connector into the port.

The light alongside the charging port has colours to denote what state the vehicle is in.

A white Tesla symbol means the car is ‘ready’, a blue symbol denotes that the vehicle is ‘preparing to charge’ whilst the green light indicates that the vehicle is charging.

The newer Tesla Model Y offers anywhere between 300 - 387 miles of range, so planning in those journeys is important to make sure you don’t have to suffer the stresses of range anxiety.

Tesla Model S & Model X

These older Tesla Models are still extremely popular in the UK, but require a slightly different charging connector than their newer counterparts.

Early versions of the Model S and Model X versions use Type 2 connectors, a slower AC connection. Whilst these are slowly being phased out from modern vehicle manufacture, Roadchef still boasts AC chargers at select sites across the UK.

For those with a V3 model, you can use the same CCS connectors as the Model 3 and Model Y.

Simply open the charge port from the official Tesla connector, the touch screen, the key fob by pressing and holding the boot open button, the Tesla app or by pressing on the charge port when the vehicle is unlocked.

As above, the same colours apply for the ‘Tesla T’ to let you know what your vehicle is doing.

What Kind of Plug Do I Need for My Tesla?

There are two types of vehicle charging connector types that will help power your Tesla.

As mentioned above, these are Type 2 for older models and the more common CCS connectors, which allow for faster charging at 360kW-capable Roadchef chargers across the United Kingdom.

Whilst every Roadchef motorway services location boasts both AC and CCS chargers, you’ll find fewer AC chargers as these are being phased out by electric vehicle manufacturers, including Tesla.

Tesla’s tend to come ‘brand-new’ with a Type 2 charging cable which is perfect for home charging, whilst you can purchase an additional CCS connector directly from the manufacturer or online from a variety of retail outlets.

GRIDSERVE Charger at Roadchef Watford Gap Southbound

Step-by-step charging for your Tesla at Roadchef

Step 1: Find a Charging Point

All Roadchef sites have EV Charging Stations, but you can finalise your route before you travel using our journey planner to plot your rest stops and rechargers.

Each site has details of the types of each charger on its individual Roadchef motorway services location page, with most Roadchef sites having a minimum of six 360kW-capable high-powered GRIDSERVE chargers.

Use the Tesla app or search for EV charging near me to locate Roadchef charging stations.
Roadchef motorway services offer high-speed GRIDSERVE chargers and Tesla Superchargers.

Step 2: Plug in and Start Charging

If you’re trying to find how to charge your Tesla at a motorway services, then this is the step you’ll need to discover.

It’s not difficult - charging your Tesla at a GRIDSERVE high-powered charger couldn’t be easier.

Simply plug in and tap your card on the contactless payment method (or go old school at insert your card).

Then, wait for your vehicle and the charging connector to lock together and head into the main building to grab your Costa Coffee, have a toilet break and stretch your legs.

When you return, simply tap your debit/credit card again to end the session.

Simple!

Step 3: Monitor Your Charge

Whilst your vehicle is sat in Sentry Mode, you can recharge your own batteries in a comfortable seat in Roadchef motorway services.

Sipping on your Costa Coffee Cappuccino or enjoying your McDonald’s Big Mac Meal, you can check in on your vehicle status through the Tesla App.

It’s recommend that for speedier charging and best efficiency, charging to 80% will get you back on the road sooner.

However, when the seats are as comfortable and the coffee as refreshing as those at Roadchef, why would you want to leave any quicker than you need to?

How Much Should It Cost to Charge My Tesla?

It’s tough to give an exact figure on how much it should cost to charge your Tesla at Roadchef, as there are multiple factors that affect your recharge.

The cost will vary depending on the speed you’re getting from the charger (which can be affected by multiple factors too), what your battery level you arrive at the charger and much more.

There are multiple online charging calculators available to estimate the cost of recharging your Tesla at Roadchef motorway services, with recharging costing 83p per kW/h.

Efficient Tesla Charging at Roadchef

With hundreds of high powered, 360kW chargers located across the Roadchef motorway network, you’re never short of choice when it comes to where to recharge.

But how do you get the best efficiency from your battery?

Whilst there’s a variety of things you can do during extreme temperatures or when driving, it’s recommended that you precondition your battery before you hit the road. This unique feature allows you to ‘pre-warm’ your battery for more efficient charging.

It’s regularly mentioned to recharge to only 80% too. After 80%, charging begins to slow down as, without getting too scientific, there’s less room for electrons!

The most important step is to plan your charging breaks - don’t leave it to range anxiety and that last minute (safe) dash to your nearest charger.