Calculators · Cost to run
How much does it cost to charge a Tesla?
Charging at home is where most Tesla "fueling" happens, and it's usually far cheaper than gas. The cost is simply the energy your battery needs times your electricity rate — so pick your utility below and we'll use its real number. (Home charging is ~90% efficient, so the energy from the wall runs about 10% above the battery's usable size.)
240 V; ~7.2–11.5 kW typical. Energy depends on miles driven, not a fixed schedule.
per hour
90¢
per day
$2.69
per month
$81.93
per year
$982.43
Running a 7200W ev charger (level 2) 3 hours a day costs about $2.69/day or $81.93/month at 12.46¢/kWh.
Runs entirely in your browser — nothing you type is sent anywhere. Estimates only; your actual bill depends on your usage and includes delivery charges on top of the supply rate.
The calculator above uses a generic home charger. For a specific Tesla, use the per-model figures below.
Cost to charge each Tesla model
At a typical 17¢/kWh. "Full charge" is energy from the wall (incl. ~10% charging loss); your cost scales directly with your rate.
| Model | Battery | Range | Full charge | Per mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model 3 (RWD) | ~57.5 kWh | ~272 mi | $10.88 | 4.0¢ |
| Model 3 (Long Range) | ~75 kWh | ~341 mi | $14.11 | 4.2¢ |
| Model Y (RWD) | ~60 kWh | ~260 mi | $11.39 | 4.4¢ |
| Model Y (Long Range) | ~75 kWh | ~327 mi | $14.11 | 4.3¢ |
| Model S | ~100 kWh | ~405 mi | $18.87 | 4.7¢ |
| Model X | ~100 kWh | ~335 mi | $18.87 | 5.6¢ |
| Cybertruck (AWD) | ~123 kWh | ~325 mi | $23.29 | 7.1¢ |
Battery sizes are approximate — Tesla doesn't publish exact usable capacity, and it varies by model year, wheels, and conditions.
A full charge at real utility rates
A ~75 kWh Long Range battery (about 83 kWh from the wall), priced at three of the utilities we track:
| Utility | Rate | Cost of a full charge |
|---|---|---|
| PECO (PA) | 10.789¢/kWh | $8.95 |
| BGE (MD) | 14.609¢/kWh | $12.13 |
| ComEd (IL) | 10.399¢/kWh | $8.63 |
Supply rate only; delivery charges are extra. Use the calculator above for your own utility.
Tesla vs. gas, per mile
At typical rates a Tesla costs roughly 3–6¢ a mile to charge at home. A 30-mpg gas car at $3.30/gallon costs about 11¢ a mile — so home charging is usually less than half the per-mile cost of gas. The gap widens on a discounted overnight EV rate and narrows with cheap gas or expensive electricity.
How to charge for less
- 1
Charge on a time-of-use or EV rate
Many utilities offer a discounted overnight or EV-specific rate. Charging while you sleep can cut the per-kWh cost well below the default rate — check your utility's EV plan.
- 2
Charge to 80% for daily driving
Topping to 80% instead of 100% is easier on the battery and draws less energy for everyday use. Save the full charge for road trips.
- 3
Charge at home, not on Superchargers
Supercharging is priced for convenience and costs noticeably more per kWh than home charging. Use it for trips, not daily top-ups.
- 4
Don't pay for a faster home charger expecting lower cost
A Level 2 wall connector charges faster than a standard outlet but uses the same energy per mile — the speed is convenience, not savings.
Common questions
- How much does it cost to charge a Tesla at home?
- It's the energy your battery needs times your electricity rate. A ~75 kWh Model 3 or Model Y Long Range draws about 83 kWh from the wall for a full charge (including ~10% charging loss) — roughly $14 at a typical 17¢/kWh, for around 320 miles of range. Pick your utility above for your exact cost.
- How much does it cost to charge a Tesla per mile?
- About 0.24–0.33 kWh per mile depending on the model, so roughly 3–6¢ per mile at typical residential rates — versus about 11¢/mile for a 30-mpg gas car at $3.30/gallon.
- Is charging a Tesla cheaper than buying gas?
- Almost always — often by half or more. At typical electricity rates a Tesla costs roughly 3–6¢/mile to charge at home, while a 30-mpg gas car runs about 11¢/mile. The exact gap depends on your electricity rate and local gas prices.
- How much will a Tesla add to my electric bill?
- For an average driver (~1,000 miles/month), roughly 250–350 kWh a month, or about $35–$55 at typical rates — less on an overnight EV rate. Heavy drivers and larger models (Model S/X, Cybertruck) use more.
- Why is the charging energy higher than the battery size?
- Home charging is about 90% efficient — some energy is lost as heat converting AC power to stored battery charge. So a 75 kWh battery draws roughly 83 kWh from the wall, which is what your meter (and bill) counts.
An EV is a big new load — worth checking whether your utility offers a cheaper EV rate, and whether your overall rate just rose.