Charging a Tesla costs more than three times less per mile than a gas car. Even though Teslas are more expensive to buy, you save a lot in the long run on fuel. On average, it’s only $15.52 to charge a Tesla across all models. This comes to almost 5 cents for every mile you drive.
Tesla’s technology makes its cars super efficient. They can use up to 91% of the energy to move the car. On the other hand, gas cars only use a small amount of their fuel for movement. This efficiency advantage makes even the most fuel-frugal cars, like the Toyota Prius, more costly to run than many Teslas.
Understanding Tesla’s Charging Options
Tesla offers various charging solutions for its customers, making it easy to charge anywhere. They offer home charging and a wide network of Superchargers for long trips, creating a seamless charging experience for Tesla drivers.
At home, Tesla provides Level 1 and Level 2 AC charging. Level 1, powered by a standard outlet, is slow but steady, adding 2 to 3 miles of range per hour. Level 2, needing a 240-volt outlet, is faster, adding up to 30 miles of range each hour. The Wall Connector boosts this speed, giving up to 44 miles of range every hour.
On the go, Tesla’s Supercharger network is key. With 50,000+ Superchargers worldwide, they offer quick charges near highways and popular spots. In just 15 minutes, a Supercharger can add up to 200 miles. By 2023, 40,000 Superchargers were in the U.S., making charging while out simple.
Besides Superchargers, Tesla has destination charging at select hotels and restaurants. Over 40,000 Wall Connectors are available, often for free. This lets Tesla drivers charge overnight or while they enjoy their surroundings.
With options like these, Tesla ensures charging is always within reach. Whether it’s at home, on a trip, or at a destination, owning a Tesla means enjoying electric driving with ease.
Factors Affecting Tesla Charging Costs
The cost to charge a Tesla can change a lot. It depends on a few key things. This includes the price of electricity, how well the car charges, the battery size, and how you drive. The price of electricity is a big factor. It can be under 10 cents per kilowatt-hour in some places. But it might be as high as 34 cents per kilowatt-hour in Connecticut. So, charging a Tesla Model S in Massachusetts might cost around 28 cents per kilowatt-hour. But in Louisiana, it could be about 11 cents per kilowatt-hour.
The Size Of The Battery
The size of the battery is key, too. Bigger batteries need more energy to get fully charged. The Tesla Model 3 has the smallest battery size. The Model S and Model X have bigger batteries. This results in the Model X charging higher, about $17.55 for a full charge. On the other hand, a Model 3 costs around $10.49 for a full charge.
How You Use Your Car
How you use your car can also affect charging costs. Charging a lot quickly, like at Tesla Superchargers, can be more expensive. Supercharger rates are usually 25 to 35 cents per kilowatt-hour, about 50% more than charging at home. Also, extreme temperatures can lower battery efficiency, making charging more costly.
Knowing these things can help Tesla owners spend less on charging. For example, charging at home with a Tesla Wall Connector might cost about $2.04 to $2.66 daily. This is based on driving 50 miles daily and a national average cost of 16 cents per kilowatt-hour. Solar panels can make charging even cheaper or almost free.
Cost Comparison: Home Charging vs. Supercharging
Charging your Tesla gives you choices: home charging or Supercharging stations. Costs for home charging change by location and your Tesla model. They usually range from $7 to $40 for a full charge. For example, in North Dakota, where power is cheap, it can cost just $7 to fill up a Tesla Model 3 RWD. However, in Connecticut, prices can go up to almost $40 for bigger Teslas, like the Model S or Model X.
Tesla Superchargers offer quick refills but at a higher cost. They charge between $0.25 and $0.50 per kilowatt-hour, which is double what you’d pay at home. Driving 13,500 miles a year and only using home charging might cost between $405 and $1,755. Yet, if you use Superchargers only, that cost jumps to $2,835 and $5,670 annually.
An example showed a Tesla Model 3 was $1,200 cheaper to run over time than a BMW M340i. Charging the Model 3 only at home costs a little over $1,300 for 24,000 miles. Charging it all at Superchargers costs more than $2,500 for the same mileage. Supercharging the Model 3 costs about 10.4 cents per mile, close to the BMW M340i’s 10.7 cents.
Home charging is like paying $4.58 per gallon, while Supercharging is like paying $8.76. The Model 3’s average energy use was 84 MPGe, translating to $0.055 per mile at home and $0.104 at Superchargers. Although Supercharging is more expensive, its quick service during long drives attracts many Tesla owners.
Comparing Tesla Charging Costs to Gas Vehicles
When compared to gas cars, Tesla models save a lot for each mile driven. A Tesla charges about 4.56 cents per mile. In contrast, a Honda Civic may cost 9.5 cents, and a Kia Telluride costs 16.27 cents per mile to fuel. This makes owning a Tesla more than three times cheaper to run.
Teslas have different charging costs per mile. The Model 3 is the least expensive at 3.76 to 4.67 cents. Then, the Model S is next at 4.40 to 4.58 cents. After that, the Model Y’s costs are between 4.31 and 4.75 cents per mile, while the Model X is the highest at 5.17 to 5.40 cents per mile. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class costs about 16 cents to fuel, and the Hyundai Tucson about 13.14 cents per mile.
conclusion
In conclusion, the cost of charging a Tesla is a topic of great interest and debate. Many factors come into play when determining the actual cost, including electricity rates, charging methods, and the distance traveled. Contrary to popular belief, charging a Tesla is not necessarily exorbitant.