The range of your EV depends on the amount of charge your battery has at any given moment.
This means the health of your battery and the cost of charging your car are just some of the critical factors to consider if you own a Tesla.
Fortunately, Tesla created a charging 0cost calculator to help car owners estimate how much they expect to spend on charging their cars.
Keep reading to find out how much it will cost you to charge different Tesla models.
Factors That Determine The Cost of Charging a Tesla
The cost of charging a Tesla mainly depends on these three factors:
Battery Size
Different Tesla models have different battery sizes that influence their range and performance.
For instance, the Model 3 Tesla is powered by a small battery (50 kWh-82 kWh depending on the trim level) whereas the Model S has a significantly larger battery with a capacity of 100 kWh.
In general, the bigger the size of the battery, the more electricity it requires to charge, which ultimately makes the cost of charging high.
Electricity Cost
Most states have their own energy pricing regulations. This means the cost of charging your Tesla may vary depending on the state you live in.
For instance, the state of Idaho has the lowest electricity rate in the U.S. at 8.17 cents per Kilowatt-hour. So, if you live here, you’re likely to spend less on charging your Tesla compared to a state like Massachusetts with a rate of 19.06 cents per Kilowatt-hour.
Type Of Charging Station
EV charging stations come in various types. This not only determines how fast they charge but also the cost of charging.
For Tesla owners who prefer to charge their cars at home, wall connectors are the obvious choice. These chargers are typically billed according to residential electricity rates, which nationally average about 14.9 cents per Kilowatt-hour.
Public charging stations, on the other hand, charge a rate of between 20 to 40 cents per Kilowatt-hour whereas supercharging stations are the most expensive and will charge up to 50 cents per Kilowatt-hour.
Time of Charging
Electricity rates in the US tend to fluctuate depending on demand and consumption. Power companies typically charge higher rates during peak hours (during the day).
Conversely, night-time electricity rates are cheaper since consumption is low. For this reason, the cost of charging your car at night is significantly low compared to daytime hours.
How Much Does It Cost To Charge A Tesla?
Here is a breakdown of how much it costs to charge different Tesla models using a wall connector, based on the estimates on the Tesla Charging Calculator.
Cost of Charging Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 is the smallest EV of the entire Tesla fleet, so it’s not surprising that it also has the smallest battery.
This model is available in battery sizes ranging from 50 kWh to 82 kWh depending on the model year and trim level.
The table below shows how much you can expect to spend on charging a Model 3 at different range points.
| Range (Miles) | Charge Cost (Dollars) |
| 100 | 3.46 |
| 200 | 6.92 |
| 300 | 10.37 |
Note: To arrive at these figures, Tesla used the rear-wheel-drive version of the Model 3 as the baseline.
Cost of Charging Tesla Model S
The Model S Tesla is a luxury sedan that holds the reputation of having the longest range of not only the Tesla fleet but of all EVs ever made.
With its estimated peak range of 405 miles, the Model S is built for long-distance drives, which are possible largely due to its large 100 kWh battery.
Here is a breakdown of the Model S charging costs for varying range points.
| Range (Miles) | Charge Cost (Dollars) |
| 100 | 3.47 |
| 200 | 7.74 |
| 300 | 11.62 |
Note: The above figures are based on the base-level trim of the Model S and may vary slightly for other trims.
Cost of Charging Tesla Model Y
The Model Y is a mid-size hatchback-style SUV that is powered by a 75 kWh battery, which delivers an EPA range of 330 miles.
Below is the estimated charging cost for the Model Y.
| Range (Miles) | Charge Cost (Dollars) |
| 100 | 3.87 |
| 200 | 7.74 |
| 300 | 11.62 |
Note: The above estimates are based on the Long Range all-wheel-drive trim of the Tesla Model Y and may differ slightly for the Performance trim.
Cost of Charging Tesla Model X
The Tesla Model X is a full-size SUV that comes with a powerful drivetrain. All of its trims come with a 100 kWh Lithium-ion battery pack that delivers the power required to pull an SUV of its size without compromising on range.
Here is the estimated charging cost for the Model X at different range points
| Range (Miles) | Charge Cost (Dollars) |
| 100 | 4.56 |
| 200 | 9.13 |
| 300 | 13.69 |
Note: To get these estimates, Tesla analyzed the base Dual-Motor trim of the Model X.
Bottom line:
Generally, the charging cost for Tesla EVs vary from one model to the next. This may be influenced by both internal factors such as the battery size and external factors such as the cost of charging.
The good news is that Tesla EVs have a good range, which means they have reliable power retention capabilities and you can count on them when planning both long and short trips.
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