How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Tesla

If you are thinking of buying a Tesla or you already have one, then you must have asked yourself, “How much does it take to charge a Tesla?”

The cost of recharging an electric car, for instance, Tesla varies with several factors such as the cost of electricity, the location where charging is being done and the capacity of the battery of the Tesla car.

Let’s break it down in simple terms so you can estimate your charging costs accurately.Here is a simple explanation:

Factors That affect Tesla Charging Costs

1. Tesla Model and Battery Size

The cost of recharging also varies with the type of Tesla model that one has due to differences in battery capacities.

Here are the battery sizes for popular Tesla models:

• Model 3 Standard Range Plus: 54kWh
• Model 3 Long Range: 75kWh
• Model S: 100kWh
• Model X: 100kWh
• Model Y Long Range: 75kWh

The bigger the battery, the more electricity it will need to be charged.

2. Electricity Rates

The price of electricity per kilowatt hour (kWh) in your area is also very important. This is because electricity rates differ from one country, state or utility company to another.

Most people pays between 10 to 20 cents per kWh. Meanwhile, some places offer special electric vehicle (EV) rates which make charging even more cheaper.

3. Charging Location

• Home Charging: This is the most cheaper and convenient way to charge your Tesla car. You know why? It’s because home electricity rate are very cheap.
• Tesla Superchargers: The cost of charging your Tesla car at a Supercharger is more costly than when you are charging it at home. The price of charging at a Tesla supercharger is around 25 to 50 cent per kWh depending on your location and the traffic in that location.
• Third-Party Charging Stations: I can’t say how much third-party charging stations charge because some some charges per minute or session instead of kWh.

4. Charging Efficiency

When you are charging your Tesla, not all the charge goes into the battery, some are lost as heat. This means that you will pay more than you expected to fill the lost energy or charge.

According to my research, most Tesla changers are not 100% efficient, they are about 80-90%. I’m telling you this so that you also have it in mind when you want to know how much charging your car will cost you.

How to Calculate the Cost of Charging a Tesla

Ever wondered what it actually costs to ‘fill up’ your Tesla? We put together a cool little tool – a Tesla charging cost calculator – that can give you a pretty good estimate. Check it out.

But if you’re the type who likes to know how things work, here’s the formula on how to calculate it yourself:

Charging Cost = How big your battery is (in kWh) x How much you pay for electricity (per kWh)

Let’s say you’ve got a Model 3 Long Range. Those have a 75 kWh battery. And let’s pretend your electricity costs you $0.15 per kWh (that’s just an example, of course – it varies). To figure out the cost of a full charge, you’d just multiply:

75 kWh * $0.15 = $11.25

So, in this scenario, charging your Model 3 would cost you around $11.25. Not bad, right?

Now, one thing to remember: this calculation is just for a full charge. You probably won’t be plugging your Tesla in to go from 0% to 100% every single day, right? Most of the time, you’ll just be topping it off a bit.

That’s where our charging cost calculator really comes in handy. It lets you figure out the cost for charging to a specific percentage, so you can get a more accurate idea of your day-to-day charging costs.

Comparing Home Charging vs Supercharging

Now, let’s compare home charging and Supercharging. You’ve got two main ways to power up: charging at home, or hitting up a Supercharger. Here’s the inside scoop:

1. Home Charging (Your Nightly Routine)

• Cost: This is usually the wallet-friendly option. You’re probably looking at around $10-$15 for a full charge. Not bad for a “full tank,” huh?
• Convenience: The absolute best part? You just plug it in before bed, and boom! You wake up to a fully charged car. It’s like magic, but with electricity.
• A Little Math (Just for Fun): Imagine you drive about 30 miles each day. A Tesla typically uses around 0.25 kWh per mile, so that’s 7.5 kWh you’ll need to put back in. If you’re paying $0.15 per kWh, that works out to roughly $1.13 a day. Talk about cheap commuting.

2. Supercharging (The Road Trip Savior)

• Cost: Supercharging is a bit more expensive, usually in the $18-$25 range for a full charge. Think of it as premium fuel for your electric ride.
• Convenience: These are absolute lifesavers when you’re on a long road trip and need a quick jolt of power. They’re also great if you’re ever in a bind and need a fast charge.

Friendly Advice: If you’re watching your pennies (and who isn’t?), try to use Superchargers mostly for those long hauls. Home charging is your everyday go-to.

Is Charging a Tesla Cheaper Than Filling Up a Gas Car?

Yes, in most cases, charging a Tesla is significantly cheaper than fueling a gasoline car. For example, if gas costs $3.50 per gallon and your car gets 25 miles per gallon, you’d spend about $14 to drive 100 miles.

On the other hand, a Tesla Model 3, which consumes around 25 kWh to cover 100 miles, would cost only $3.75 at $0.15 per kWh.

Yes, and in most situations, it is cheaper to charge a Tesla than it is to fill up a gasoline car. For instance, if gas is at $3. 50 per gallon and your car gets 25 miles per gallon, it will cost you about $14 to drive for 100 miles.

On the other hand, if it takes 100 miles to use up about 25 kWh of energy in a Tesla Model 3, it will have only cost $3. 75 at $0. 15 per kWh.

Ways to Reduce Tesla Charging Costs

• Use Non-Peak Tariff Rates: Most utility power service providers have made it a policy to offer reduced electricity rates on the off peak (predominantly night) period.

• Put Up Solar Panels: If you can afford solar installation at your home it will help you lower or even scale down your electricity bill to zero.

• Charge Wisely: Between charging, you can use Tesla’s app to set charging times as well as check the battery to avoid unnecessary charging.

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

That’s a great question. The total cost of charging your Tesla depends on a couple of factors and requirements that each user has. These general cost ranges from $10 to $20 while considering electricity rates and battery size.

How much is it to charge a Tesla at a Supercharger?

The cost of charging your Tesla at a Supercharger station would be roughly around $18-$25 and to add more context the pricing does change depending on your locality.

How much does charging a Tesla cost per mile?

Charging a Tesla per mile will cost you around 4 to 5 cents.

Does charging a Tesla save money compared to gas?

To answer the question above, driving any Tesla model is going to save you money compared to a standard petrol vehicle over time if you drive more miles, however, the one reason why many drivers of a Tesla usually prefer to drive one is based on the mileage they end up saving.