The cost to charge a Tesla depends on your local electricity rate, how depleted the battery is, and whether you charge at home or use a public station

A full charge at home typically costs between $8 and $17 in electricity, though this varies significantly by region. If you pay 12 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) — close to the U.S. average — charging a Model 3's 75 kWh battery costs about $9. In states like Hawaii or Massachusetts where electricity costs 20 cents per kWh or more, the same charge costs $15 or higher. In cheaper regions like Louisiana or Oklahoma, it might drop to $6.

Public charging networks charge differently: some use a per-kWh rate (usually 20 to 30 cents), others charge by the minute, and some require a monthly subscription. A single session at a fast charger can cost $10 to $30 depending on how long you charge and which network you use. Over a year, home charging is almost always cheaper than public networks, which is why most Tesla owners do the majority of their charging overnight at home.

Key Takeaways

  • Home charging costs roughly $8 to $17 per full charge for a Model 3, based on your local electricity rate and the size of your battery.
  • Public fast chargers typically cost 20 to 30 cents per kWh or charge by the minute, making a single session $10 to $30.
  • Installing a Level 2 home charger costs $500 to $2,500 upfront but pays for itself within a few years of daily charging.
  • Charging costs per mile are roughly one-third to one-half the cost of gasoline for comparable driving in most U.S. regions.

How home charging costs break down

Home charging uses either a standard 120-volt outlet (Level 1) or a dedicated 240-volt charger (Level 2). Level 1 is free to use if you already have the outlet, but it charges very slowly — about 2 to 3 miles of range per hour. Most owners install a Level 2 charger, which adds 25 to 30 miles of range per hour and costs $500 to $2,500 to install, depending on your electrical panel and how far the charger is from it.

Once the charger is installed, the only ongoing cost is electricity. To calculate what a charge costs you, multiply your local electricity rate (in cents per kWh) by the battery size (in kWh). A Model 3 Long Range has a 75 kWh battery. If your rate is 15 cents per kWh, a full charge costs 75 × 0.15 = $11.25. You can find your rate on your electric bill or your utility's website.

Most owners don't charge from completely empty every time. A typical daily charge might add 30 to 50 miles of range, which costs $3 to $6 at home. Over a month of daily driving, home charging typically costs $60 to $150, depending on how much you drive and your local rate.

Public charging networks and their pricing models

Tesla's Supercharger network charges by the kWh at rates that vary by location and time of day. Off-peak rates are usually 20 to 25 cents per kWh, while peak rates can reach 40 to 50 cents per kWh in busy areas. A 30-minute Supercharger session that adds 200 miles of range typically costs $15 to $25.

Non-Tesla networks like Electrify America, EVgo, and ChargePoint use different pricing. Some charge per kWh (20 to 30 cents), others charge per minute (30 to 50 cents per minute), and some require a membership fee ($10 to $20 per month) that lowers the per-use cost. A 20-minute fast-charging session at these networks usually costs $8 to $15, though the final bill depends on how much energy you actually drew.

Public charging is most economical for road trips or when you have no home charging option. For daily driving, the cost per mile is significantly higher than home charging because public chargers are less efficient and charge premium rates.

Comparing charging costs to gasoline

A Tesla Model 3 uses roughly 25 kWh to travel 100 miles. At the U.S. average electricity rate of 12 cents per kWh, that costs $3 per 100 miles. A gasoline car averaging 25 miles per gallon costs about $12 per 100 miles at current gas prices. Even in high-electricity-cost states, Tesla charging rarely exceeds $6 per 100 miles, still cheaper than gas in most places.

This comparison assumes home charging. Public fast charging narrows the gap — a Supercharger session might cost $6 to $8 per 100 miles — but is still competitive with gasoline in most regions. The savings accumulate quickly: a driver who charges at home and drives 12,000 miles per year saves roughly $900 to $1,200 annually compared to a gasoline car, depending on local rates and gas prices.

Factors that change your charging cost

Your state's electricity rate is the biggest variable. Louisiana averages 9 cents per kWh, while Hawaii averages 28 cents. If you move or travel to a different region, your charging cost changes proportionally. Some utilities also offer time-of-use rates, where electricity is cheaper during off-peak hours (usually late evening to early morning). Charging during these hours can cut your cost by 30 to 50 percent.

Battery size matters too. A Model Y Long Range has a 75 kWh battery, while a Model Y Performance has an 82 kWh battery. The larger battery costs slightly more to charge but holds more energy, so the cost per mile is similar. Older Model 3 Standard Range models have smaller 50 kWh batteries and cost less per full charge, though they also have shorter range.

Charging speed also affects cost. Supercharging is less efficient than home charging — some energy is lost as heat during fast charging. A Supercharger session might deliver 80 percent of the energy you pay for, while home charging delivers closer to 95 percent. This is one reason public charging costs more per kWh even before accounting for higher rates.

Installing a home charger and long-term costs

A Level 2 home charger installation typically costs $500 to $2,500. The price depends on whether your electrical panel has available capacity, how far the charger is from the panel, and whether you need a permit. Many electricians charge $500 to $1,500 for labor alone. Some utilities or local governments offer rebates of $100 to $500 for installation, which can offset part of the cost.

The charger itself costs $400 to $1,200 depending on the brand and features. Popular options include the Tesla Wall Connector ($595), Wallbox ($595 to $695), and Emporia Vue ($399). Over five years of daily charging, the installation cost spreads across hundreds of charge cycles, making the per-charge cost negligible compared to the electricity itself.

If you rent or cannot install a permanent charger, you can use a portable Level 2 charger (around $400 to $600) that plugs into a standard outlet, though it charges more slowly than a wall-mounted unit. Public charging remains an option, but the higher per-kWh cost means you'll spend significantly more over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to charge a Tesla for 100 miles?

At home with average U.S. electricity rates, charging 100 miles costs roughly $3 to $4. At a Supercharger, the same 100 miles costs $6 to $10. The exact amount depends on your local electricity rate and which charging network you use.

Is it cheaper to charge a Tesla at night?

Only if your utility offers time-of-use rates that lower prices during off-peak hours, usually between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Check your electric bill or contact your utility to see if this rate is available. If it is, charging at night can save 30 to 50 percent compared to daytime rates.

Do I have to pay for Supercharging?

Yes, all Tesla Supercharging now requires payment per use. Older Teslas purchased before 2017 may have included free Supercharging for life, but new vehicles are charged by the kWh. Rates vary by location and time of day, typically ranging from 20 to 50 cents per kWh.

Can I charge my Tesla at a regular outlet?

Yes, using a standard 120-volt outlet (Level 1 charging) is free beyond your normal electricity bill. However, it adds only 2 to 3 miles of range per hour, so a full charge takes 24 to 48 hours. Most owners use this only as a backup or for overnight charging when they don't need the car the next day.

What's the difference between Supercharging and home charging costs?

Home charging costs roughly $0.03 to $0.04 per mile, while Supercharging costs $0.06 to $0.10 per mile. Superchargers are faster but charge premium rates because they deliver energy quickly and operate 24/7. Home charging is cheaper because it's more efficient and uses off-peak electricity rates.