×
Get 5% off in-app
400k+ download
Open app

How Much Does It Cost to Charge Tesla?

  • Fuel
  • Xavier Sabastian
  • 7 minutes

Share

The cost of charging your Tesla is determined by various factors, including how you use your vehicle and what kind of electric vehicle you want to purchase.

The debate over whether or not driving an electric vehicle is a cost-cutting solution worth considering continues. Tesla electric cars have made electric vehicles mainstream. Their success has prompted new questions about which battery to buy, where to charge your car, how long it takes to charge, and how much it costs to charge your electric vehicle are all things to consider.

Get Way+ Membership to save on car services

Factors that affect the cost of charging your EV

The cost of charging your electric vehicle each year is determined by a variety of factors, including:

  • In between charging sessions, how many miles will you need to drive? Choose a model with a good range and capacity to avoid becoming stranded.
  • The Kia Soul EV, for example, is a terrific option for those on a tight budget. Consumers with higher disposable income may want to investigate more technologically advanced cars, such as the Tesla Model S.
  • Hybrid vehicles allow you to drive longer between charging sessions if you live in a region where public charging stations are few.
  • What do you transport daily? A tiny Mitsubishi i-MiEV is sporty and light for those who live alone. Consider the Kia Optima for a superb all-around sedan. Options like the Tesla Model Y allow families on the run the space and comfort they need to get through their day.

Several factors affect the cost of charging Tesla

Cost of charging a Tesla X Model

Tesla’s Model X Long Range and Model X Plaid have 100 kilowatt-hours (kWh) batteries. The battery capacity of older Model X models could be as low as 60 kWh. Do you own a Model X with a 100 kWh battery? You will pay $0.13 per kWh for power in the United States. Allow for an 85% charging efficiency joint for Level 2 home charging stations.

A fully charged Model X would cost around $15.29 based on this. Given the 360-mile range of the 2021 Model X Long Range, the cost per mile would be around $0.042, or $4.24 per 100 miles driven. Because the 2021 Model X Plaid ranges 340 miles, the cost per mile would be somewhat higher at $0.045, bringing the cost per 100 miles to $4.49.

Keep in mind that charging a Tesla Model X varies depending on the type of charger you’re using, the cost of power in your location, and if you’re starting from scratch.

Cost of charging a Tesla Model 3

The Model 3 Standard Range has a 50 kWh battery and a range of 263 miles. An 82 kWh battery is included in both the Long Range and Performance Model 3s. The Long Range model has a range of 353 miles, while the Performance variant has a range of 315 miles.

To fully charge the battery in the 2021 Standard Range Model 3, you can anticipate paying around $7.65. This works out to around $0.03 every mile, or $2.91 per 100 miles.

It would cost $12.54 to charge the 2021 Long Range and Performance versions fully. The Long Range model costs $0.036 per mile, while the Performance variant costs $0.04.

Cost of charging a Tesla Model S

The Model S is available in two models as of October 2021: Long Range and Plaid. Both have a 100-kilowatt-hour battery. If you have the Long Range model, which has a range of 412 miles, a full charge costs $15.29 based on $0.13 per kWh power pricing and an 85 percent charging efficiency. This works out to $0.037 every mile, or $3.70 per hundred miles.

Cost of charging a Tesla Model S

Cost of charging a Tesla Model Y

The Model Y, Tesla’s newest electric vehicle, is available in three configurations with a 75 kWh battery. The cost of completely charging the Model Y Standard Range is $11.47, which is around $0.047 per mile, or $4.70 every hundred miles.

This is over 64% less expensive per mile than some of the most popular gas-powered cars, costing around 13 cents per mile.

These petrol savings are noteworthy, but most new electric car customers have discovered that charging their Tesla with home solar panels is even cheaper.

Charging at home? What would be the cost?

Installing a home solar power system can make charging even cheaper, but solar panels are not suitable for every home. Solar electricity costs as little as 5 cents per kilowatt-hour to create. This is only if your home is suitable for solar panels. This will allow you to charge your Tesla for only 35% of the normal price. This will also lower your home’s energy costs.

Let’s have a look at the numbers.

Before the current 26% tax credit, a 6 kW solar system will cost roughly $17100, while after the tax credit, it will cost around $12654. It will produce between 6,130 and 10,500 kWh of power annually (depending on how sunny it is where you live). Over the 30-year life of a solar power system, this equates to 184,000–315,000 kWh or around 5.6 cents per kWh.

Tesla GIF

via GIPHY

This is almost a third of the cost of grid power and nearly a third of the national average cost of power. In California, Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey, where electric utility prices are substantially higher than the national average, charging your Tesla with home solar power is at least 65 percent cheaper than charging it with grid electricity. This, of course, does not account for the time value of money. However, deposit interest rates around zero have little impact on the numbers.

However, the installation cost for your home may be greater or cheaper than the national average. 

Fueling a car vs. Charging a Tesla

According to the University of Michigan research, the average annual cost of operating an internal combustion engine car is around $1117.

On the other hand, electric vehicles are expected to cost $485 per year on average, and the actual cost of owning and operating an electric vehicle varies by state. Even in Hawaii, where average power prices are the highest, the cost of operating an EV is still less than that of a combustion engine car.

Tesla GIF

via GIPHY

There’s also the issue of range to think about. For example, filling a truck that gets only 14 miles per gallon is not the same as feeding a sedan that gets closer to 40 miles per gallon. It’s also worth mentioning that petrol prices will be substantially higher than typical in various parts of the country.

EVs are the future of cars

Electric vehicles are proving to be capable in general, and they will be the way of the future. While the transition is likely to be slow, electric vehicles are superior in almost every regard for daily driving. Beyond fuel, many other expenses come with owning a car. You’ll probably pay slightly more for insurance for an EV than you would for an internal combustion engine. However, you will save money on maintenance because other than the tires, 

EVs have essentially no wearing parts that need to be replaced. Oil changes, filters, and other maintenance will not be required. If you decide to install solar panels on your home, you can further reduce your charging costs, making your electric vehicle almost free to operate. 

Furthermore, there are numerous rebates and incentives available to help lower the upfront cost of electric vehicles.

The best EV in the market

The most extraordinary electric vehicle for you will be one that fits your budget and provides the range you want for daily operations. The Nissan Leaf and Tesla’s Model 3 are both reasonably priced. 

While Tesla’s Supercharger network is well-designed, not every city has one, so you’ll need to check the availability of suitable chargers in your area. The Model X is perfect for large families needing space and performance, yet it’s priced comparably to luxury SUVs. Make sure you do your homework before committing to a model to receive precisely what you desire.

Electric vehicles play a critical role in conserving our natural resources. Installing solar panels to charge your electric vehicle boosts your efforts and lowers the burden on finite oil supplies.

Here’s more info on top-rated airport parkingthe best parking spots in your city, the most affordable insurance for your car, and top-rated car washes near you.

Related Posts

wave

Press ESC to close