How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Tesla? A Complete Charging Cost Breakdown
Going electric with a Tesla means saying goodbye to pricey gas station fill-ups. But how much does it cost to keep a Tesla charged up? Charging costs vary depending on where and how you charge.
In this guide, we’ll break down the charging costs for Tesla models including:
- Charging at home
- Public Level 2 charging
- Tesla Superchargers
- Workplace charging
- Cost calculations and comparisons
Knowing real-world charging costs helps you budget for affordable electric driving and manage your charging expenses. Let’s run the numbers on how much it costs to charge a Tesla.
Charging Costs at Home
Charging at home is the most affordable way to fuel your Tesla. Home electricity rates average:
- $0.12 - $0.17 per kWh for Level 1 and 2 charging
- Saves 75% or more compared to gas
Based on the EPA rated energy consumption of Tesla models, home charging costs are:
| Tesla Model | Rated Wh/mi | Cost per 100 miles |
|---|---|---|
| Model 3 LR | 240 Wh/mi | $5.76 -$8.16 |
| Model S LR | 280 Wh/mi | $6.72 - $9.52 |
| Model X LR | 310 Wh/mi | $7.44 - $10.54 |
So for the average Tesla driver charging at home, charging costs equate to under $10 for a “full tank” of 250-300 miles.
Compare that to $40-50 to travel the same distance in an average 25 MPG gas-powered car at $4/gallon. Driving on electricity saves 70-80% compared to gas.
These savings make the higher upfront cost of a Tesla worthwhile over time. Lower “fueling” costs help offset the sticker price premium.
Calculating Home Charging Cost
To determine your exact home charging cost per mile, calculate:
Cost per kWh x Rated Wh/mi ÷ 1000 = Cost per mile
So for a Model 3 Long Range with 240 Wh/mi rating at $0.15 per kWh:
$0.15 x 240 Wh/mi ÷ 1000 = $0.036 per mile
At 15 cents per kWh, charging a Model 3 at home costs just $0.036 per mile driven. Amazingly affordable!
Check your residential electricity rates and Tesla’s rated Wh/mi to find your personalized cost.
TOU Rates for Cheaper Charging
Many utilities offer Time-of-Use or EV plans with cheaper overnight rates. Charging during these off-peak hours can save:
- Weekday off-peak: $0.08 - $0.12 per kWh
- Weekend off-peak: $0.03 - $0.08 per kWh
Shifting charging to late evening through early morning can effectively halve your electricity costs.
Consider a TOU plan if offered by your utility. Program your Tesla to charge in the early morning hours to maximize TOU savings.
Charging Costs at Public Stations
Public charging rates are considerably higher than home rates but still less than gas. Expect to pay:
- Level 2: $0.30 - $0.50 per kWh
- Tesla Supercharger: $0.24 - $0.35 per kWh
Public charging costs about 2-3x more than charging at home. But occasionally using public stations for travel or while running errands can still be cost effective.
Based on Tesla’s rated energy consumption and common public charging rates, a “full charge” on public stations will cost:
| Tesla Model | 100 mi Cost | "Full Charge" Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Model 3 LR | $7.20 - $12 | $18 - $36 |
| Model S LR | $8.40 - $14 | $25 - $42 |
| Model X LR | $9.35 - $15 | $28 - $45 |
Public charging costs for 250-300 miles of range are still significantly lower than a comparable gas car. Occasional public charging can fit into most charging budgets.
Tesla Supercharger Costs
Tesla Superchargers provide the fastest public charging option. Pricing is similar to standard public Level 2:
- Supercharger Rate: $0.24 - $0.34 per kWh
- Cost per 100 miles: $5.76 - $8.16 for Model 3
- Varies by region, avg $.28/kWh nationally
Supercharging costs roughly 2-3x your home rate. But the convenience of rapid charging along highways makes it worthwhile for travel.
Similar to other public charging, expect to pay $18-$36 for a full 250-300 mile charge at a Supercharger in most areas.
Savings compared to gas easily offset slightly higher public charging costs. Frequent long distance drivers can also purchase pay-per-use charging plans from Tesla to reduce Supercharging costs further.
Workplace Charging Costs
More employers now offer EV charging access:
- Level 1/2 EVSE: May be free, or cost of $0.03 - $0.20 per kWh
- Convenient way to charge while at work
- Requires employer investment in charging infrastructure
If available, workplace charging allows you to offset home usage and take advantage of lower commercial electricity rates.
Ask your employer to consider installing Level 2 charging in parking areas. Even reimbursing for workplace electricity usage helps reduce your EV costs.
Electricity Costs vs Gasoline Costs
Calculating total cost of ownership over years of driving shows dramatic savings compared to gas cars:
- Electricity: $0.12 per kWh * 340 Wh/mi = $0.04 per mi
- Gasoline: $4.00 per gallon / 25 mpg = $0.16 per mi
Driving electric costs about 4x less per mile than a comparable gas car. The fuel savings easily outweigh the higher initial investment over time.
Assuming 15,000 miles of driving per year:
- Electricity: 15,000 mi x $0.04 per mi = $600/year
- Gasoline: 15,000 mi x $0.16 per mi = $2400/year
You save an average of $1800 per year charging a Tesla vs using gas. Include lower maintenance costs, and total savings jump to $2000+ yearly.
Saving on Charging Costs
Here are some tips to minimize charging costs for your Tesla:
- Charge during off-peak hours on a TOU home electricity plan
- Split charging between home, work, and public stations
- Use public stations strategically when out and about
- Charge to 80% instead of 100% for most daily driving
- Track your kWh usage and costs in the Tesla app
- Compare electricity plans to find lowest rates
The key is mixing home, work, and public charging to maximize your use of cheaper electricity. Strategic charging habits keep costs down.
Other Factors Affecting Charging Costs
A few other variables can impact your charging costs:
- Electricity rates depend on your geographic location
- Charging equipment efficiency affects kWh usage
- Battery temperature management increases energy use slightly in extreme cold weather
- Depreciation of batteries over time may increase kWh consumption
But for most drivers, electricity costs equate to roughly 1/4 the cost of gasoline - or less. The biggest factors are your utility rates and charging locations.
FAQs
Is it cheaper to charge at home or use Superchargers?
Home charging costs 2-5x less than Supercharging. Use home charging for daily driving whenever possible, and Superchargers for travel.
How much does it cost to charge a Tesla to 100%?
The cost to charge from 0-100% depends on battery size and electricity rate. Expect $5-$15 to charge a Model 3 and $10-$30 for Model S/X from empty at home rates.
Does charging from 20-80% cost less than 0-100%?
Yes, charging to a lower percent is cheaper. You save by putting fewer overall kWh into the battery. Try charging daily from 20% to 80% when feasible.
What’s the cheapest way to charge a Tesla?
The cheapest electricity is overnight off-peak home charging at TOU rates of $0.03 to $0.08 per kWh in many areas. Minimize use of public charging.
Can I charge a Tesla for free?
Some public chargers offer free charging. Destinations may provide complimentary Tesla charging. Otherwise, using electricity always incurs some cost based on kWh usage and rates.
EV Driving for a Fraction of the Cost
One of the major perks of Tesla ownership is incredibly low “fuel” costs thanks to electricity being far cheaper than gas. Charging strategically helps maximize savings.
Home charging costs just a few dollars for a “full tank” of energy. On the road, Superchargers provide affordable rapid charging. Public charging supplements your home and workplace charging.
Compare charging costs to miles driven and gas equivalents, not simply kWh usage. Viewed from this driving range perspective, driving electric with Tesla is an absolute bargain.
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