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Charging a Tesla is dramatically cheaper than fueling a gas car — but the cost varies significantly depending on whether you charge at home or at a Supercharger, what electricity rate you pay, and which Tesla you drive. This guide breaks down the real numbers so you can make informed decisions about your charging habits.

Home Charging Costs

The national average residential electricity rate in 2026 is approximately $0.16/kWh. Many utilities offer time-of-use plans with off-peak rates as low as $0.05-$0.10/kWh (typically 9 PM to 6 AM). Tesla's scheduled charging feature makes it easy to charge exclusively during off-peak hours.

Here's what it costs to charge each model from 20% to 80% at home (the typical daily charging pattern), using the national average rate:

Model 3 Standard RWD (57 kWh battery, 60% = ~34 kWh): approximately $5.50 at $0.16/kWh. This recovers roughly 190 miles. Cost per mile: about $0.029.

Model 3 Premium RWD (75 kWh battery, 60% = ~45 kWh): approximately $7.20 at $0.16/kWh. Recovers roughly 220 miles. Cost per mile: about $0.033.

Model Y Premium RWD (75 kWh battery, 60% = ~45 kWh): approximately $7.20 at $0.16/kWh. Recovers roughly 215 miles. Cost per mile: about $0.034.

Model S Long Range (100 kWh battery, 60% = ~60 kWh): approximately $9.60 at $0.16/kWh. Recovers roughly 245 miles. Cost per mile: about $0.039.

Cybertruck AWD (123 kWh battery, 60% = ~74 kWh): approximately $11.80 at $0.16/kWh. Recovers roughly 195 miles. Cost per mile: about $0.061.

With off-peak rates ($0.08/kWh), those costs are roughly halved. A Model Y owner charging off-peak pays about $3.60 for 215 miles — roughly $0.017 per mile.

Supercharger Costs

Supercharger pricing varies by location and can be billed per kWh or per minute depending on local regulations. In most U.S. markets, the average rate is approximately $0.30-$0.40/kWh for Tesla owners. Non-Tesla vehicles typically pay a premium of $0.05-$0.10/kWh more.

Using $0.35/kWh as a representative Supercharger rate, here's the same 20% to 80% charge:

Model 3 Standard RWD: approximately $12.00. Cost per mile: about $0.063.

Model 3 Premium RWD: approximately $15.75. Cost per mile: about $0.072.

Model Y Premium RWD: approximately $15.75. Cost per mile: about $0.073.

Model S Long Range: approximately $21.00. Cost per mile: about $0.086.

Cybertruck AWD: approximately $25.90. Cost per mile: about $0.133.

Supercharging costs roughly 2x-2.5x more than home charging at the national average rate, and roughly 4-5x more than home charging at off-peak rates.

Compared to Gas

For perspective, a comparable gas vehicle averaging 30 MPG at $3.50/gallon costs approximately $0.117 per mile. A comparable gas SUV averaging 25 MPG costs approximately $0.140 per mile.

Even Supercharging is cheaper than gas for the most efficient Tesla models. Home charging is dramatically cheaper — a Model 3 owner charging at home saves roughly 70-85% on fuel costs compared to a gas sedan. A Model Y owner saves roughly 50-75% compared to a gas SUV.

Over 15,000 miles per year, the annual fuel cost comparison looks like this:

Gas sedan (30 MPG, $3.50/gal): approximately $1,750/year.

Model 3 Premium RWD (home, $0.16/kWh): approximately $495/year.

Model 3 Premium RWD (home, off-peak $0.08/kWh): approximately $248/year.

Model 3 Premium RWD (Supercharger only, $0.35/kWh): approximately $1,080/year.

The savings are real, but they depend heavily on home charging access. Tesla owners who rely exclusively on Superchargers still save money versus gas, but the margin is much narrower.

The Hidden Cost: Home Charging Installation

Home charging requires upfront investment in charging equipment and electrical installation. A Tesla Wall Connector ($475) with typical installation runs $975-$2,000 total. A NEMA 14-50 outlet with a portable charger runs $530-$1,030.

How quickly does this pay for itself? A Model Y owner driving 15,000 miles per year saves approximately $1,255/year charging at home ($0.16/kWh) versus gas ($3.50/gal, 25 MPG). Even with a $1,500 installation, the home charging setup pays for itself in roughly 14-15 months.

Compared to Supercharging exclusively, home charging saves approximately $585/year for the same driver. The installation pays for itself in 2-3 years — still a good investment, especially considering the daily convenience of never visiting a charging station.

A Lectron Portable Level 2 Charger (~$280) on an existing NEMA 14-50 outlet eliminates the Wall Connector and hardwiring costs entirely, shortening the payback period further for owners who already have a 240V outlet.

Optimizing Your Charging Costs

Charge at home whenever possible. Home charging at off-peak rates is by far the cheapest option. Reserve Supercharging for road trips.

Use scheduled charging. Set your Tesla to charge only during off-peak hours. The car's built-in scheduling (or a Wi-Fi-connected charger like the Lectron V-BOX Pro) handles this automatically.

Charge to 80% for daily use. The last 20% charges slowly, wasting time at Superchargers and stressing the battery at home. Only charge to 100% before long trips.

Precondition before Supercharging. A warm battery charges faster, meaning less time (and money) at the Supercharger. Navigate to the Supercharger using your Tesla's trip planner to activate automatic preconditioning.

Check for utility rebates. Many utilities offer EV-specific rate plans, rebates on charger installation, or credits for off-peak charging enrollment. Check DSIRE (Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency) for your area.

The Bottom Line

Home charging is roughly half the cost of Supercharging and one-quarter the cost of gas. The one-time investment in a home charging setup pays for itself within 1-2 years for most drivers. If you have access to a garage or dedicated parking with electrical access, home charging should be your primary charging method.

Supercharging remains excellent value for road trips — dramatically cheaper than gas and fast enough to be practical. The Tesla Supercharger network is the single biggest advantage of Tesla ownership over other EV brands.

Find your Tesla's energy efficiency ratings and calculate your costs: Tesla Model Archive. For home charging setup guidance: Complete Home Charging Guide. For road trip charger options: Best Portable Tesla Charger.