How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Tesla?

In this blog post, we’ll go over how much you can anticipate paying for Tesla charging as well as some of the key variables that will affect that price.

Owning an electric car is a unique experience from owning one that runs on gasoline, and it comes with a lot of questions. The lower running costs of electricity are one of the main factors driving people away from gasoline. But how much does running a Tesla actually cost?

Although often higher in California, the average pricing at The cost of a Tesla Supercharger is typically $0.25 per kWh. At this price, you should be able to add 250 miles of range to your Tesla for $20 to $25. If you use a level 2 charger at home to charge a Tesla, the cost is typically about 33% lower.

How you use your Tesla and the model of electric car you plan to purchase, among other factors, all affect how much it will cost to charge. Here, we’ll take a look at how much it costs to charge a Tesla using different methods.

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How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Tesla?

On average, it costs $13.96 to charge a Tesla, based on the national average cost of electricity. All Tesla models cost slightly less than $0.05 per mile to charge (5 cents per mile). Here’s how individual Tesla model charging costs break down:

The location of your fees is important. Due to things like the energy source, the local energy utility’s business practices, and even climate, since EVs process and store energy less efficiently in extremely hot or cold temperatures, some places have higher energy costs than others.

At Home

Directly from Tesla, the Wall Connector costs $400. Along with a J1772 Wall Connector for Teslas, the company also sells EVs from other manufacturers. Either device needs to be installed in your house or garage by a qualified local electrician, and that price will vary. There may be local energy incentives available in your area that can help reduce the overall cost of buying and installing.

With a 24-foot charging cable, power settings to help you charge your Tesla as quickly as possible, and the ability to add up to 44 miles of range in an hour, the Tesla Wall Connector is safe for both indoor and outdoor use (so you could install it outside your home near your driveway, for instance).

The Wall Connector is quite cost-effective, according to the Tesla website’s charging calculator. Assuming a consumer drives 50 miles per day, they would pay $1.94 charging a Model S. A Model 3 would cost $1.73 per day. This Tesla driver would shell out $2.28 per day to charge a Model X. With a Model Y, the charging cost is $1.94. These projections are based on the national average for residential energy, which at the time of publication was $0.14 per kilowatt-hour.

At a Tesla Supercharger

While using a Tesla Supercharger on the road is both the cheapest and fastest option, the cost will vary depending on the local energy prices where you are. Most Tesla Superchargers assess rates based on kilowatt-hour, so you only pay for the energy that actually goes to your car. However, some areas’ regulations require charging per minute, in which case the rate is different depending on the charging speed you choose.

Furthermore, some Supercharger stations adjust rates based on whether you’re charging during peak or off-peak hours. When you choose a charger, either through the mobile app or at the charger itself, you’ll see how your rates are calculated. Depending on promotions or referrals, some Tesla users might be eligible for free Supercharging; any available free Supercharging will be displayed in the Tesla app.

Though Tesla owners can see prices at nearby Superchargers, there’s no way to track pricing on a larger scale. However, as of late November 2022, the Tesla-centered website Electrek reported prices of $0.50 per kilowatt-hour were common but appeared to be going down in some parts of the United States.

In addition to paying for electricity at a Supercharger, keep in mind that you’re also paying for convenience: Superchargers are simple to find on the go, and you can give your Tesla an additional 200 miles of range in as little as 15 minutes.

Public Chargers

Tesla also offers a charging option it refers to as “Destination Charging,” which involves going to places with Tesla Wall Connectors like hotels and places of business. Additionally, Teslas can be charged through other networks like ChargePoint, though an adapter might be needed. Prices for these charging options will vary depending on location and other factors, just like the Tesla Supercharger network.

Prices for installations for public charging typically vary from one business to another. Some will charge you per kWh, while others, such as Quebec’s Electric Circuit grid, will charge you per minute or per hour. As we write this, EV owners typically pay no more than $20.00 to charge their cars on a public charger in Canada.

How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Tesla Model X?

Each Model X comes with 100 kilowatt-hours (kWh) batteries, including the Model X Plaid. As few as 60 kWh of battery capacity may be found in older Model X models.

Assume you are a Model X owner who pays the U.S. national average for electricity and has a 100 kWh battery. of $0.15 per kWh. Let’s also take into account the 85% charging efficiency that is typical for Level 2 home charging stations.

Based on this, it would cost about $15.29 for a Model X to fully charge. Given that the 2023 Model X has a range of 351 miles, the cost per mile would be approximately $0.044, or $4.40 per 100 miles driven. The cost per mile for the 333-mile range 2023 Model X Plaid would be slightly higher at $0.046, with a cost per 100 miles of about $4.59.

Remember that the price of charging a Tesla Model X varies depending on the type of charger you are using, the features of the vehicle, the price of electricity in your area, and whether or not you are fully charging the battery from zero.

How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Tesla Model 3?

With a 62.3 kWh battery and a range of up to 272 miles, the Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive comes standard. The Performance and Long Range Model 3s come with 82 kWh batteries. The Performance’s maximum range is 315 miles, while the Long Range’s maximum range is 358 miles.

If you purchase the 2023 standard Model 3, you can expect to pay about $10.94 to fully charge the battery. The price per mile now equals about $0.04, or $4.02 for every 100 miles. Completely charging the Performance and Long Range models would cost $14.39. This equates to roughly $0.046 for the Performance and roughly $0.04 for the Long Range per mile.

How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Tesla Model S?

Standard Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive and Plaid are the two Model S variations as of January 2023. Each has a 100 kWh battery.

If you have the standard model, which has a respectable range of 405 miles, a full charge will cost you $17.55 based on $0.15 per kWh of electricity and an 85% charging efficiency. This results in a charge cost of $0.043 per mile, or $4.33 for every 100 miles.

How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Tesla Model Y?

There are two versions of the Model Y, Tesla’s newest electric vehicle, and each one has a 75 kWh battery. The Long Range Model Y will set you back $13.16 to fully charge it. That works out to roughly $0.04 per mile or $3.98 for every 100 miles.

This costs about 64% less per mile than some of the most well-known gas-powered cars, which average around 13 cents per mile.

We also explore the charging time of the Tesla Cybertruck, Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model S P100D, Tesla Semi, Tesla Model S, Tesla Model X, Tesla Model Y, Tesla Model S Plaid, and Tesla Roadster.

Factors That Affect the Price to Charge a Tesla

While we can provide some numbers for how much it’ll cost to charge a Tesla, based on data from various sources, it’s important to note that these numbers change frequently because there’s a lot going on. Even the cost of charging at home, which is the cheapest way to charge a Tesla, varies based on how you get your power.

For instance, using your neighborhood utility to power your Tesla will be less expensive than using a public charging station and almost certainly less expensive than purchasing gas for an ICE car. However, if you subscribe to an alternative power source, like community solar, you may pay even less. Once the initial costs are covered, having a solar system at your house is the ideal situation.

The cost of charging, at least in terms of the price per charging session, will depend on the Tesla model you own. This factor is really only important if you’re concerned about the cost of fully charging a Tesla in a single session. A Tesla with a bigger battery can take more charge in a session, which will cost more. However, you’ll need to charge less frequently and the cost will average out.

Due to variables like efficiency and speed, the cost of charging will vary depending on the type of charger you use. When you charge is a factor, since your utility company or public charging station you use may charge more during peak hours (during the day) and less during off-peak hours (overnight).

The location of your fees is important. Energy costs more in some areas than others, due to factors like the energy source, the local energy utility’s business practices, and even climate, since EVs process and store energy less efficiently in extremely hot or cold temperatures.

Where to Charge a Tesla for Free?

Another way to refuel your Tesla is not necessarily through a supercharger. There are numerous ways—and occasionally even free—to charge electric vehicles.

Businesses are increasingly providing free or deeply discounted EV charging to customers through the Tesla destination charging network. In hotels, eateries, resorts, and other places where people spend some time, there are over 35,000 wall connectors. Must add 20 to 30 miles of range per hour of Tesla charging time, making them ideal for overnight use or quick top-ups.

Another option is to use a third-party charging station to charge your EV while not connected to the Tesla network. Other options for finding them include Charge Hub, Open Charge, and EV Go. PlugShare is a fantastic resource for this.

To determine which stations will accommodate your charger and whether an adapter is necessary, you can filter by plug type. There are some of these that are free for public use, frequently close to neighborhood amenities like libraries or hospitals, though many of them will charge.

The way you think about maintaining your Tesla while you own one must change. You can’t just assume that gas stations are nearby like you can with regular cars. Even so, most owners quickly develop a habit of taking advantage of charging opportunities at Superchargers and other public places. If you take the time to research your local options, you’ll discover that charging your EV is a simple and affordable process.

Conclusion: How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Tesla?

The average to charge a Tesla is:

• At a Supercharger: Expect to pay between $20-25 for 250 miles of range
• At home: Expect to pay between $16-18.50 for 250 miles of range

Despite all of this, there are still a few crucial points to bear in mind when using public chargers to charge your Tesla. For instance, it is not advised to use a level 3 fast charger to charge a device to 100%. These chargers typically slow down at around 80% to protect the battery from early degradation.

Keep in mind that public chargers are available to help you recharge while you’re out and about. For a full charge, we advise using a level 2 home charger.

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