How Much Does It Really Cost to Charge a Tesla?

The average cost to fully charge a Tesla is between $8.28 and $14.40, depending on factors like how you charge your car and your driving habits. In most cases, charging a Tesla’s battery will be cheaper than filling up a car’s gas tank, with the potential to slash your fuel costs in half. 

The amount of money you actually spend to charge a Tesla varies with the Tesla model you own, where it's charged, and how often you drive.

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How much does it cost to charge a Tesla at home?

On average, it will cost between $8.28 and $14.40 to fully charge a Tesla at home in 2024, depending on the model. You will need anywhere from 57.5 kilowatt-hours (kWh) to 100 kWh to fully charge a Tesla. 

Each Tesla model is a bit different in terms of battery capacity and range, which impacts the charging cost. The table below shows the average cost to fully charge different Tesla models at home:

Tesla model	Battery capacity	Avg. at-home charging cost*
Model X	100 kWh	$14.40
Model X Plaid	100 kWh	$14.40
Model 3	57.5 kWh	$8.28
Model 3 Performance	82 kWh	$11.81
Model 3 Long Range	82 kWh	$11.81
Model S	100 kWh	$14.40
Model S Plaid	100 kWh	$14.40
Model Y Performance	75 kWh	$10.80
Model Y Long Range RWD	75 kWh	$10.80
Model Y Long Range AWD	75 kWh	$10.80

^{*Assumes 90% charging efficiency and average U.S. electric rate from the Energy Information Administration.}

Battery capacity varies depending on your Tesla model. The sizes range from 57.5 kilowatt-hours (kWh) all the way to 100 kWh. 

It’s also important to remember that EV chargers are not 100% efficient, meaning you’ll need to use a few extra kilowatt-hours to get a completely full charge. We estimate 90% charging efficiency, but it will vary with the exact charger you use. It is recommended to charge a Tesla EV at home with a Level 2 charger to keep costs low and maintain the health of the car’s battery.

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How much does it cost to fully charge a Tesla at a charging station?

The cost to fully charge a Tesla with a Supercharger can range from $6 to over $50, depending on the rates and fees at the Supercharger station. Superchargers have rates between $0.11 and $0.60 and vary with location. 

Model	Avg. Tesla Supercharger cost (low end)	Avg. Tesla Supercharger cost (high end)
Model X	$10.45	$57.00
Model X Plaid	$10.45	$57.00
Model 3	$6.01	$32.78
Model 3 Performance	$8.57	$46.74
Model 3 Long Range	$8.57	$46.74
Model S	$10.45	$57.00
Model S Plaid	$10.45	$57.00
Model Y Performance	$7.84	$42.75
Model Y Long Range AWD	$7.84	$42.75
Model Y Long Range RWD	$7.84	$42.75

^{*assumes 95% charging efficiency, not including fees}

Using a home charger to fuel your EV is more cost-efficient and convenient, but on longer road trips away from home, you might need to use a public charging station.

Tesla has its own branded charging stations called Tesla Superchargers. With over 50,000 stations in its charging network, you can easily find one using the Tesla app. 

At these stations, the prices to charge your car fluctuate depending on the time of day and area you’re in. Tesla owners on Reddit have reported seeing prices as low as $0.11 per kWh to as high as $0.60 per kWh in the last year.

Superchargers are DC fast chargers that directly charge the car’s battery with DC current, which drastically reduces charge times, adding 200 miles of range in just 15 minutes, making them a great option for road trips. 

You can charge a Tesla at other charging stations, such as ChargePoint or EVgo chargers, as long as you have an appropriate adapter. 

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How much does it cost to charge a Tesla per month?

You can expect to spend between $36 and $53 each month to charge your Tesla at home, depending on the model you own. This falls in line with the average cost of charging an electric car. 

When you own a Tesla – or any other electric car – you are essentially swapping out the monthly cost of filling up your car with gas with a slightly higher electric bill from charging your vehicle. 

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Factors that affect the cost to charge a Tesla

It’s difficult to put a concrete number on the cost of charging a Tesla because different elements can greatly affect the price, including your location, the Tesla model you choose, and your lifestyle and driving habits.

To give a better perspective, here’s a closer look at some factors that can impact how much you’re paying when you own a Tesla. 

Electricity rates

Electricity rates vary quite a bit between states, so where you live impacts how much you’re going to pay to charge your Tesla EV. 

According to the Energy Information Association, the average cost of electricity in the U.S. is about $0.16 per kWh. But some states, like California, have electric rates that are nearly double that price!

So, it will cost more to charge a Tesla in states like Hawaii, California, and Massachusetts, where electricity rates are high. On the other hand, it will cost less to charge a Tesla in places with lower utility rates. 

Location

Climate and environment can also have an impact on how much it costs to charge a Tesla. When it gets cold, your Tesla’s battery won’t hold a charge as well. If you live in a state with long, harsh winters – you might need to charge your Tesla more often.

Also, the terrain and types of roads you’re driving on will play a role in how much energy you use from your Tesla’s battery. Uphill driving or sitting in stop-and-go traffic can drain your battery faster.

Tesla model

Tesla has multiple different models that vary in battery sizes and driving range, impacting how often you need to charge and how much it costs.

For example, it costs $14.40 to fully charge a Tesla Model X, which has a 100 kWh battery. A Tesla Model 3 has a smaller 57.5 kWh battery, making the cost to charge just $8.28.

Your lifestyle and driving habits

How often you drive is also a factor for Tesla owners to consider. 

Just like with a gas car, if you have a short commute to work and run errands locally, you won’t have to spend as much to fill up your car. But if you have a long commute or regularly take road trips, you’ll have to charge your Tesla’s EV battery more often! 

The features you use in your Tesla can also play a role. Do you have the air conditioning on full blast? Are you using the seat heaters? If so, you may see your battery lose charge faster, and you’ll have to charge more frequently. 

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Can I charge my Tesla with solar panels?

Yes! – And it would save you even more money to do so. When the sun is shining, your solar panels produce power that can be used to charge your EV. 

The cost to charge an electric vehicle using solar energy is roughly $0.06 per kWh. 

The chart below shows the average cost to charge each Tesla model with solar power:

Model	Avg. cost to charge with solar
Model X	$5.40
Model X Plaid	$5.40
Model 3	$3.11
Model 3 Performance	$4.43
Model 3 Long Range	$4.43
Model S	$5.40
Model S Plaid	$5.40
Model Y Performance	$4.05
Model Y Long Range AWD	$4.05
Model Y Long Range RWD	$4.05

If you do not have solar installed, it’s going to be a pretty big upfront purchase. Solar systems nowadays cost about $19,000 on average. 

However, with the savings accumulated on your energy bills, you are able to see a return on your investment in as little as 5 years in some cases! 

How many solar panels do I need to charge a Tesla?

Adding just five solar panels to your roof can cover the costs of charging a Tesla. If you already have solar, you can add more panels to your system to charge your EV.

If you’re planning to go solar and you don’t have an EV yet, tell your solar installer. They can plan your system to be big enough to cover your future Tesla charging costs. 

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Which is cheaper: Tesla vs. gas-powered car

Charging a Tesla is nearly three times cheaper than fueling a car with gas in 2024.

The national average gas price in 2024 is about $3.48 per gallon. When making the switch from a gas car over to a Tesla vehicle, you’ll notice a significant price difference in your monthly expenses. 

Kelly Blue Book states that the average monthly expense for gas-powered vehicles right now is about $143. When you compare that with your Tesla, which will cost between an average of $36 and $53 per month – you’re cutting that expense down by more than half!

To take it one step further, when you charge your Tesla with solar, the monthly expense is reduced further down to just $24 per month on average!

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Cost to charge a Tesla FAQ

Here are some common questions that also come up when figuring out the cost of charging a Tesla.