Tesla Model 3 vs Polestar 2: Home Charging Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of home charging for the Tesla Model 3 (60kWh, 513km range) and Polestar 2 (79kWh, 534km range). Which charges faster, which costs less, and which charger brand works best for each.
| Spec | Tesla Model 3 | Polestar 2 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 60kWh | 79kWh | Polestar 2 |
| Range (WLTP) | 513km | 534km | Polestar 2 |
| Max AC charge | 11kW (3-phase) | 11kW (3-phase) | Tie |
| 7kW charge speed | 39km/hr | 39km/hr | Tie |
| 20-100% at 7kW | 6.9 hrs | 9 hrs | Tesla Model 3 |
| Efficiency | 13.9kWh/100km | 16.8kWh/100km | Tesla Model 3 |
| Price from (indicative) | $55,000 | $60,000 | Tesla Model 3 |
Prices are indicative NZ pricing, June 2026. Verify with the dealer.
Charging Cost Comparison by Region
| Region | Tesla Model 3 (full charge) | Polestar 2 (full charge) | Tesla Model 3 /100km | Polestar 2 /100km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AKL | $17 | $22 | $4.9 | $5.9 |
| NTL | $17 | $23 | $5.0 | $6.0 |
| WKO | $17 | $22 | $4.9 | $5.9 |
| BOP | $17 | $22 | $4.9 | $5.9 |
| GIS | $18 | $23 | $5.1 | $6.2 |
| HKB | $17 | $23 | $5.0 | $6.0 |
| TKI | $17 | $23 | $5.0 | $6.0 |
| MWT | $17 | $23 | $5.0 | $6.0 |
| WGN | $17 | $22 | $4.9 | $5.9 |
| NSN | $17 | $23 | $5.0 | $6.0 |
| MBH | $17 | $23 | $5.0 | $6.0 |
| WTC | $18 | $24 | $5.3 | $6.4 |
| CAN | $16 | $21 | $4.7 | $5.7 |
| OTA | $17 | $22 | $4.9 | $5.9 |
| STL | $16 | $21 | $4.6 | $5.5 |
Electricity only, at regional average residential rates (33-38c/kWh band). Both vehicles also pay identical Road User Charges of $7.60 per 100km, so RUC does not change the head-to-head result. Overnight EV power plans can lower the electricity cost.
Best Charger for Each Vehicle
Tesla Model 3
Supports up to 11kW three-phase AC charging.
Polestar 2
Supports up to 11kW three-phase AC charging.
Tesla Model 3 vs Polestar 2 FAQ
Which charges faster at home, Tesla Model 3 or Polestar 2?
The Tesla Model 3 charges faster on a standard 7kW home charger, taking 6.9 hours from 20% to 100% compared to 9 hours for the Polestar 2.
Which is cheaper to charge, Tesla Model 3 or Polestar 2?
The Tesla Model 3 is more efficient at 13.9kWh/100km, making it slightly cheaper to charge per kilometre. For a typical 15,000km year at the NZ average power price of about 35c/kWh, the difference is about $152 per year. Both pay the same Road User Charges ($76 per 1,000km), and both cost far less per kilometre than a petrol car at home-charging rates.
Do the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2 use the same charger?
Both the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2 use Type 2 AC charging, so any home EV charger sold in New Zealand works with both vehicles. Both support three-phase AC charging.
Get Your Home Charger Installed
Whether you chose the Tesla Model 3 or Polestar 2, PumpSwap matches you with local electricians for free, obligation-free quotes.
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