By EV Charge Cost Editorial Team. Published October 4, 2026, updated October 26, 2026.
“How much does it cost to charge a Tesla?” has two answers: what you pay your utility at home, and what you pay at a Supercharger. Home charging is where most Tesla miles come from, and it is easy to calculate exactly: the car’s EPA energy use times your electricity price.
Home charging cost for every Tesla model
Each row uses the representative trim’s EPA efficiency, measured at the wall so charging losses are included, and the U.S. average residential price of 18.16¢/kWh.
| Model | kWh/100 mi | Per 100 miles | Per month | Full charge (EPA range) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model Y | 26.9 | $4.88 | $54.88 | $16.44 (337 mi) |
| Tesla Model 3 | 26.4 | $4.79 | $53.89 | $16.57 (346 mi) |
| Tesla Model S | 32.5 | $5.90 | $66.37 | $20.53 (348 mi) |
| Tesla Model X | 34.2 | $6.22 | $69.97 | $20.46 (329 mi) |
| Tesla Cybertruck | 42.9 | $7.79 | $87.66 | $25.32 (325 mi) |
Monthly figures assume 13,500 miles a year. Change the mileage or price in the charging cost calculator.
It depends most on your state
Electricity prices vary more than Tesla efficiency does. For the Tesla Model Y:
| State | ¢/kWh | Per 100 miles | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | 12.72 | $3.42 | $38.44 |
| Alabama | 16.33 | $4.39 | $49.35 |
| Hawaii | 47.18 | $12.67 | $142.58 |
Every state has its own page with costs for each Tesla: start from the state list.
What Supercharging costs
Tesla says it bills Supercharging per kWh wherever possible and per minute elsewhere, and that prices differ by site because of dynamic pricing based on occupancy and expected demand. The price for each station is shown in the car and the Tesla app before you plug in, and congestion fees can apply at busy sites once the battery is above 80% (Tesla Supercharging support).
Because station prices change, we do not list them. As an illustration, at an example public price of $0.45/kWh a Tesla using 32.6 kWh/100 mi pays about $14.66 per 100 miles, versus $5.92 at home at 18.16¢/kWh — roughly 2.5× as much. See public fast charging vs home charging cost.
Tesla vs a gas car
With regular gasoline at $4.284 a gallon (EIA U.S. average, week of 2026-10-19), a 30 mpg gas car spends about $14.28 on fuel per 100 miles. The Tesla Model Y charged at home spends $4.88, so over 13,500 miles a year the fuel saving is about $1,269.22. Even in Hawaii, the most expensive state for electricity at 47.18¢/kWh, home charging costs $12.67 per 100 miles. Compare your own numbers in the EV vs gas calculator.
Do you have to pay to charge a Tesla?
- At home you pay your utility for the electricity, at your normal rate or a cheaper EV or time-of-use rate (time-of-use rates).
- At Superchargers you pay per kWh or per minute, plus any congestion or idle fees.
- Free charging exists at some workplaces, hotels and shops, and some Teslas came with free Supercharging offers. See free EV charging.
How to pay less
- Charge at home whenever you can, overnight on an off-peak rate if your utility offers one.
- Use the car’s scheduled charging so it draws power in the cheapest hours (best time to charge).
- Keep tires at the recommended pressure and pre-condition the cabin while plugged in during cold weather.