Tesla Former Chief Engineer Reveals Real Reason Why Tesla’s Charge Port Is On the Left Rear, “It’s Because of the Layout of Elon Musk's Rented Garage in Bel Air, He Didn’t Even Own the Place”

Why is Tesla's charge port on the left-hand rear of the car? 

Tesla owners have wondered about Tesla's charging port location and even complained about it. Now, the real reason has been revealed. I was looking through my Automotive News subscription and found the surprising answer. 

Tesla's Former Chief Engineer, Peter Rawlinson, who was the chief vehicle engineer for the Model S from 2009 through 2012, says Teslas have to be backed into charging stalls because of a house that CEO Elon Musk rented more than a decade ago.

Rawlinson, who joined Lucid in 2013 as chief technology officer and became CEO in 2019, told PC Magazine,

"Most Americans drive nose in rather than parallel park. And if you drive nose in, you want the charge port on the front. You don't want a long, dirty old cable coming past the doors."

Most Americans would rather drive nose in rather than parallel park, Rawlinson told PC Magazine for an interview published January 30.

Rawlinson says, "I remember reporting to Elon Musk that I had determined the place for the charge port. I told him, look, it should be the front fender on the left-hand side." 

"And you don't want to put the charge port on the very front, like the Nissan Leaf, because it's a vulnerable spot. You can have a slight bump or fender bender, which could mean you couldn't open it if it were damaged."

"So, I chose the spot just behind the front of the left-hand wheel, just in front of the driver's door, exactly where it is on the Lucid Air for the same reason.”

The Design Was Changed to Accommodate Elon Musk's Wishes

"Well, that wasn't acceptable to Musk. He said it wouldn't suit the layout of his garage in Bel Air. So I said, 'Well, where do you want it? What suits the layout of your garage in Bel Air?' He said it's going to be on the rear because he could trip over the cable." 

"He was renting the property, and he didn't even own the place, but we put the charge port on the Model S on the left-hand rear because of the layout of his rented garage in Bel Air!"

Tesla Owners Have Wondered Why 

The Tesla community has been buzzing with curiosity about the charging port's location. Why is it on the left-hand rear of the car? This question has sparked numerous discussions and even led to some misconceptions.

Automotive News says, "Tesla fans have spent years coming up with explanations for why the company put the charging port on its cars behind the left rear door, so drivers usually have to back into charging stalls, rather than near the front end like on many electric vehicles today."

Tesla Owners Have Varying Reasons Why the Charge Port Is Located in the Rear

Users on Reddit have had various explanations as to why the charge port is located on the left rear and not the front like most EVs. The explanations on Reddit are incorrect.

• It's safer to back in than to back out.
• It allows for the shortest wiring run to the battery.
• It's most convenient for the driver.
• It's more protected from possible snow and ice buildup.

What do Tesla Owners Say?

"Why do I have to go back into a charging station? It would be much more convenient to pull straight in. I prefer pulling in forward, especially now that I have a car with a front camera," one owner said in a poll on Reddit. 

Another Reddit user said, "After driving multiple EVs with the charge port in the back for many years and renting a few with the charge port in the front, I unequivocally prefer the front."

What Does Peter Rawlinson Think of Elon Musk?

After a [prolonged silence], "We had a great partnership and symbiosis. I learned a lot on the commercial side, though I don't know if I learned a lot about engineering. I brought engineering chops to Tesla. I think he's a very accomplished businessman, and he provided the business environment and financing for me to engineer the Model S, though I helped," he told PC Magazine.  

Why Did Rawlinson Leave Tesla?

"It was limiting," he told PC Magazine.

Final Thoughts and Questions for Tesla Owners

Now we know that the location of the charging port on Teslas is deliberate and was chosen by Elon Musk. 

Now that you know the deliberate choice behind the charging port's location, we're eager to hear your thoughts. Do you prefer the charger port to be in the rear (like most EVs) or in the front? Your opinion matters, so click the red Add New Comment link below and share your perspective.

Check out my Tesla Model S story titled; I Bought A Tesla Model S, and the Dealer Failed To Disclose It Had Been In An Accident, Now Tesla Is Refusing Warranty Repairs

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl