One of the most important factors that you’ll consider when it comes to buying a Tesla is how much it will cost to charge its battery. While it’s common knowledge that it costs to fill up a tank of gas, it’s not always the same when it comes to charging an electric vehicle’s battery.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the various factors that will affect the cost of doing so.
Cost to charge a Tesla
The average cost of electricity in the US is around $13.96 for a Tesla. Model S, Model X, and other similar vehicles charge at around $0.0456 for every mile. On the other hand, all electric cars range from around $0.05 to $0.06 per mile.
Here’s how individual Tesla model charging costs break down:
| TESLA CAR MODEL | COST TO FULLY CHARGE |
|---|---|
| Model 3 | $9.62 |
| Model S | $18.29 |
| Model X | $18.30 |
| Model Y | $13.58 |
The cost of charging an electric vehicle can vary depending on various factors. We’ve broken down the charging costs for each Tesla vehicle using data collected by EnergySage, which is based on actual electric bills submitted by US consumers.
In addition to the type of battery, the energy required to recharge it is also greater than the size of its container. This is because some of the energy that’s used during the charging process is lost. We’ll cover this in more detail later on. The numbers used in this calculation are based on data submitted by the EPA.
Tesla model 3 charging cost
| Tesla Models | Energy Required to Charge Battery (KWH) | Cost to Charge Battery | Range of Distance (Miles) | Charging Cost per Mile (CENTS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model 3 | 62 kWh* | $9.62 | 267 miles | 3.60 cents |
| Model 3 Long Range | 88 kWh | $13.68 | 334 miles | 4.17 cents |
| Model 3 Performance | 94 kWh | $14.56 | 315 miles | 4.62 cents |
Tesla’s most affordable model is the Model 3, which features compact cars. It can cost around 3.60 to 4.62 cents per mile to recharge. The Model 3 is also the cheapest car to charge.
Tesla model S charging cost
| Tesla Models | Energy Required to Charge Battery (KWH) | Cost to Charge Battery | Range of Distance (Miles) | Charging Cost per Mile (CENTS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model S | 118 kWh* | $18.29 | 405 miles | 4.52 cents |
| Model S Plaid | 116 kWh | $17.98 | 396 miles | 4.54 cents |
The company’s line of mid-size luxury cars, which include the Model S, come with long-range vehicles. Products in this range can cost around 4.52 to 4.54 cents per mile to recharge.
Tesla model X charging cost
| Tesla Models | Energy Required to Charge Battery (KWH) | Cost to Charge Battery | Range of Distance (Miles) | Charging Cost per Mile (CENTS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model X | 118 kWh* | $18.30 | 351 miles | 5.21 cents |
| Model X Plaid | 117 kWh** | $18.21 | 335 miles | 5.44 cents |
**Based on the 2021 Performance model, the closest model listed by the EPA.
The company’s mid-size vehicles, such as the Model X, are among its most expensive products. They can cost around 5.21 cents to 5.44 cents per mile to recharge.
Tesla model Y charging cost
| Tesla Models | Energy Required to Charge Battery (KWH) | Cost to Charge Battery | Range of Distance (Miles) | Charging Cost per Mile (CENTS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model Y Long Range | 87 kWh | $13.58 | 318 miles | 4.27 cents |
| Model Y Performance | 92 kWh | $14.25 | 303 miles | 4.70 cents |
The company’s Model Y line, which is mainly used for compact SUVs, comes with a charging capacity of 4.27 to 4.70 cents per mile.
What is the yearly cost of driving a Tesla?
The average cost of charging a Tesla is around $614.51 annually. This is equivalent to around $1,631 annually savings for Tesla owners. The savings are computed by taking into account the average cost of gas in the U.S. as of April 2022 and the average driving distance of 13,476 miles per year.
What factors impact the cost of charging a Tesla?
Although Tesla is almost always cheaper to recharge than a gas-powered vehicle, the savings will vary depending on various factors. In this article, we’ll talk about some of these factors to maximize your savings.
1. Your electricity source
One of the biggest factors that affects the cost of charging a Tesla is your electricity source. For instance, you can choose to pay for your local utility’s standard offering or opt for an electricity alternative such as community solar or a green power plan.
If you’re a community solar user, you can usually expect to pay less for Tesla charging annually. On the other hand, the standard offering of your local utility might be cheaper than either a GPP or CCA.
If you’re planning on reducing your electricity consumption and want to maximize your savings, you can install a rooftop solar system. This type of system will allow you to charge your Tesla for free once you install it.
2. The size of your Tesla’s battery
The size of your car’s battery is also another factor that affects the cost of charging a Tesla. If you have a large battery, you might pay more per charge, though this may be less with a vehicle’s range.
3. The type of charger you use
Some of the energy used to recharge a Tesla’s battery isn’t stored in the device itself. Some of this energy is lost as heat, while some is used to maintain the battery at a certain temperature. The level of electricity that you use when charging a Tesla can also affect the amount of energy that’s lost as heat.
For instance, if you have a Level 1 charger, then you’re going to need to convert the electricity from your home’s AC to DC to recharge the car’s battery. This process can lead to energy loss since the electricity is converted into heat.
Tesla’s Level 3 chargers are designed to provide DC electricity without converting it into heat. According to Car and Driver, these types of chargers typically have an efficiency of around 90 percent. On the other hand, some Level 1 and 2 chargers can experience a drop in efficiency to around 60 percent during cold weather. Charging costs also vary if you opt to use one of Tesla’s Superchargers.
The charging efficiency of different Tesla models using 240-volt Level 2 chargers is shown in the table below. These numbers are based on EPA documents that show that the batteries went from being at zero percent to being at 100 percent charge.
| Tesla Models | Energy Required to Charge Battery (KWH) | End Charge of Battery (KWH) | Efficiency (Percentage) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model 3* | 62.263 kWh | 54.689 kWh | 86.20% |
| Model 3 Long Range | 88.541 kWh | 78.557 kWh | 87.30% |
| Model 3 Performance | 94.242 kWh | 80.818 kWh | 83.40% |
| Model S** | 118.366 kWh | 103.892 kWh | 86.10% |
| Model S Plaid | 116.344 kWh | 99.287 kWh | 82.80% |
| Model X** | 118.418 kWh | 103.669 kWh | 85.8% |
| Model X Plaid*** | 117.876 kWh | 102.829 kWh | 85.40% |
| Model Y Long Range | 87.868 kWh | 77.702 kWh | 86.90% |
| Model Y Performance | 92.213 kWh | 81.052 kWh | 86.20% |
**Based on the 2021 Long Range Plus model, the closest model listed by the EPA.
***Based on the 2021 Performance model, the closest model listed by the EPA.
4. Where you live
The electricity costs in different regions across the country will affect how much you’ll pay to recharge a Tesla. Unless you’re planning on using solar energy, you’ll have to pay more depending on where you live.
The data collected by the EIA in August 2021 showed that the average cost of electricity in different regions varied significantly.
| REGION | AUGUST 2021 COST OF ELECTRICITY (CENTS PER KWH) | TESLA MODEL 3 CHARGING COST PER MILE (CENTS) | TESLA MODEL S CHARGING COST PER MILE (CENTS) | TESLA MODEL X CHARGING COST PER MILE (CENTS) | TESLA MODEL Y LONG RANGE CHARGING COST PER MILE (CENTS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West South Central | 11.85 cents/kWh | 2.76 cents | 3.46 cents | 4.00 cents | 3.27 cents |
| West North Central | 13.32 cents/kWh | 3.11 cents | 3.89 cents | 4.49 cents | 3.68 cents |
| South Atlantic | 12.43 cents/kWh | 2.90 cents | 3.63 cents | 4.19 cents | 3.43 cents |
| Pacific Noncontiguous | 29.68 cents/kWh | 6.92 cents | 8.67 cents | 10.01 cents | 8.20 cents |
| Pacific Contiguous | 19.58 cents/kWh | 4.57 cents | 5.72 cents | 6.61 cents | 5.41 cents |
| New England | 20.87 cents/kWh | 4.87 cents | 6.10 cents | 7.04 cents | 5.77 cents |
| Mountain | 12.32 cents/kWh | 2.87 cents | 3.60 cents | 4.16 cents | 3.40 cents |
| Middle Atlantic | 16.90 cents/kWh | 3.94 cents | 4.94 cents | 5.70 cents | 4.67 cents |
| East South Central | 12.01 cents/kWh | 2.80 cents | 3.51 cents | 4.05 cents | 3.32 cents |
| East North Central | 14.14 cents/kWh | 3.30 cents | 4.13 cents | 4.77 cents | 3.91 cents |
The most expensive region to recharge a Tesla is the Pacific Non-contiguous U.S., while the least expensive region is the West South Central U.S. This is because the energy used to recharge a Tesla’s battery will be used to maintain its temperature, which can result in a lower charging efficiency.
If you live in a climate with a high temperature, the energy used to recharge a Tesla’s battery will be used to maintain its temperature.
5. When you charge your Tesla
In certain regions, you’ll also have to pay more to recharge a Tesla at certain times of the day. Some utilities charge more when electricity usage is high due to the cost of generating and supplying electricity. These rate structures, which are known as time-varying rates, vary depending on the utility. For instance, they may charge more during the middle of the afternoon when electricity usage is high.
If you live in a region with a time-varying rate structure, you’ll typically pay less to recharge a Tesla after you’ve finished sleeping.
How far can a Tesla go on one charge?
The range of a Tesla varies depending on the model you’re using. For instance, the Model 3 can go up to 260 miles, while the Model S can go up to 405 miles. Although Tesla can’t go as far as an ICE vehicle, some products can be compared to gas powered car within 30 miles.
How much does your monthly electricity bill go up with a Tesla?
According to the data collected by the Department of Transportation in 2018, an average driver in the U.S. drives around 1,100 miles per month. The average cost of charging a Tesla is around 4.56 cents per mile. If you only charge the car at home, you can expect to pay around $50 a month more for electricity.
How long does it take to charge a Tesla?
You’ll most likely have a Level 1 or 2 charger installed in your home. Depending on the type of car you’re driving, it should take around 20 to 40 hours to fully recharge your Tesla. On the other hand, a Level 2 charger should take around 8 to 12 hours.
If you plan on using a Level 3 charging station for your Tesla, it should only take around 20 to 30 minutes.
How long do Teslas last?
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, claimed in 2019 that the company’s vehicles should have batteries that can last for about 500,000 miles. He also noted that the company’s current batteries could last for around 1,500 cycles. Based on this estimate, assuming that an average driver drives around 13,200 miles annually, the car should be able to last for about 23 to 38 years.
Do you have to pay to charge a Tesla?
Although Tesla provides free Supercharging for certain owners, most of its customers are still required to pay a fee for this service. If you have a Model X or a Model S that you bought in 2017, you may still be entitled to this benefit.
In addition, Tesla previously gave some customers free Supercharging credits. If you have any available miles, these will show up in your Tesla account.
What about electric vehicle incentives?
If you’re planning on purchasing a new electric vehicle from Tesla, you might be eligible for a tax credit of up to $7,500. However, this credit is no longer available after 200,000 electric vehicle sales have been made during the second quarter of 2019.
Tesla sold over 200,000 vehicles during the second quarter of 2019. If the Budget Reconciliation bill, which is being considered by the Biden administration, passes, you might be able to get a tax credit of up to $10,000 for buying an electric vehicle from the company. Even if the bill doesn’t pass, you might still be able to get a state incentive for your purchase of a Tesla.
Conclusion
The average cost of charging a Tesla is around $13.96 depending on the model. For instance, if you’re planning on charging a Model S, it will cost you around $9.62 to $18.30. Compared to the cost of filling up a gas-powered vehicle, the cost of charging an electric car is significantly cheaper.
Although you might pay more upfront for a Tesla, the cost of owning an electric vehicle will typically be cheaper over the lifetime of the car.