The cost to charge a Tesla depends on your local electricity rate and which model you own
A full charge for a Tesla costs between $8 and $17 at home, depending on where you live and which Tesla model you drive. The variation comes from two things: your regional electricity price (which ranges from about 10 cents per kilowatt-hour in Louisiana to 22 cents or higher in California and Hawaii), and your car's battery size. A Model 3 has a smaller battery than a Model S, so it costs less to fill.
If you charge at a public Supercharger station instead of at home, the cost is typically higher — usually between $20 and $30 for a full charge, though some stations charge by the minute rather than by kilowatt-hour, which changes the math. Charging speed also affects cost at public stations: slower charging is usually cheaper per kilowatt-hour than faster charging at the same location.
The real number for your situation depends on three specific things: your electricity rate (check your power bill), your car's battery capacity in kilowatt-hours (in your Tesla's settings or owner's manual), and where you plan to charge. Once you have those, the math is straightforward.
Key Takeaways
- Home charging costs $8 to $17 per full charge for most Tesla models, calculated by multiplying your local electricity rate by your car's battery size in kilowatt-hours.
- Your electricity rate appears on your power bill and varies significantly by state and utility company, not just by region.
- Supercharger costs run higher than home charging and vary by location and charging speed, with some stations charging by the minute instead of by kilowatt-hour.
- The actual cost for your car is straightforward to calculate once you know your electricity rate and your battery capacity, both of which are numbers you can find in minutes.
How to find your electricity rate
Your electricity rate is printed on your monthly power bill, usually labeled as "rate per kilowatt-hour" or "energy charge." It is not the same as your total bill — it is the per-unit price. If your bill shows $120 for 800 kilowatt-hours used, your rate is 15 cents per kilowatt-hour. Different times of day may have different rates (time-of-use pricing), so if your utility offers that, check which rate applies when you usually charge.
If you cannot find it on your bill, call your utility company or visit their website. They can tell you your rate in one call. Some utilities also offer off-peak rates for charging overnight, which can cut your charging cost by 30 to 50 percent if you shift when you plug in.
Finding your Tesla's battery capacity
Your Tesla's battery size in kilowatt-hours is listed in your owner's manual and also appears in the car's settings. On the touchscreen, go to Controls, then Service, then Battery. The number you need is the total capacity, not the current charge level. A Model 3 Standard Range has roughly 50 kilowatt-hours; a Model 3 Long Range has roughly 75 kilowatt-hours; a Model S Long Range has roughly 100 kilowatt-hours. These numbers vary slightly by production year.
You can also find this information on your Tesla's original purchase documents or by logging into your Tesla account online and checking your vehicle details.
The math: calculating your home charging cost
Multiply your battery capacity by your electricity rate. If your battery is 75 kilowatt-hours and your rate is 15 cents per kilowatt-hour, the cost is 75 × 0.15 = $11.25 for a full charge. That is the number to use when you are deciding whether to charge at home or at a public station.
In practice, you will not always charge from completely empty to completely full. Most owners charge to 80 percent for daily driving and only charge to 100 percent before a long trip. Charging to 80 percent costs about 80 percent of the full-charge price, so the same car in the same scenario would cost roughly $9 for a typical daily charge.
Supercharger pricing and how it differs from home charging
Tesla Superchargers charge by the kilowatt-hour at most locations, with prices ranging from about 26 cents to 50 cents per kilowatt-hour depending on the station and region. A few stations charge by the minute instead, typically $0.13 to $0.25 per minute. When you plug in at a Supercharger, the screen shows you the rate for that station before you start charging.
Supercharging is faster than home charging but costs more per kilowatt-hour. The speed advantage matters for road trips; the cost matters for daily charging. Most owners use Superchargers only for travel and charge at home for everyday use.
Some Tesla owners have access to free Supercharging as part of their purchase agreement, though this is less common now than it was in earlier years. Check your purchase documents or your Tesla account to see if you have any free Supercharging credits.
Factors that change your actual charging cost
Charging efficiency is not 100 percent — some energy is lost as heat during the charging process. Home charging is typically 85 to 90 percent efficient, meaning you lose 10 to 15 percent of the electricity you pay for. Supercharging is slightly less efficient, around 80 to 85 percent. This means your actual cost is slightly higher than the straightforward math suggests, but the difference is usually $1 to $2 per charge.
Cold weather reduces efficiency further. Charging in freezing temperatures can lower efficiency to 70 to 75 percent, so your cost per charge rises in winter. Preheating your battery before charging in cold weather improves efficiency and can save money over time.
If you have time-of-use rates from your utility, charging during off-peak hours (usually late night or early morning) can cut your cost by a third or more. Scheduling your car to charge during those hours is a straightforward setting in the Tesla app.
Comparing home charging to other charging options
Home charging is almost always the cheapest option if you have access to it. A Level 2 home charger (240 volts) costs $500 to $2,000 to install but pays for itself within a year or two through lower charging costs. A standard 120-volt outlet charges much more slowly and costs the same per kilowatt-hour, so it is not a money-saving option.
Workplace charging, if available, is often free or subsidized by your employer, making it cheaper than both home and Supercharger charging. Public Level 2 chargers (not Superchargers) at shopping centers and parking lots typically cost $1 to $3 per hour, which works out to roughly 20 to 40 cents per kilowatt-hour — more than home charging but less than Supercharging.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to charge a Tesla overnight at home?
Overnight charging costs the same per kilowatt-hour as any other time you charge at home, so it depends on your electricity rate and battery size. If your rate is 15 cents per kilowatt-hour and you charge an 75-kilowatt-hour battery to 80 percent, it costs about $9. Many utilities offer lower rates during off-peak hours (typically 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.), which can cut that cost to $5 or $6.
Is it cheaper to charge a Tesla or buy gas for a regular car?
Charging a Tesla is almost always cheaper than gas. At $11 per full charge, a Tesla Model 3 travels roughly 250 miles, which costs about 4 cents per mile. A car getting 25 miles per gallon at $3.50 per gallon costs 14 cents per mile. The gap widens if you have off-peak rates or live in a state with cheap electricity.
Do Tesla owners pay for Supercharging?
Most Tesla owners now pay per use at Superchargers, though some older purchase agreements included free Supercharging for the life of the car. Check your purchase documents or your Tesla account to see if you have free credits. When you do pay, the rate is shown on the screen before you start charging.
Can I charge my Tesla with solar panels?
Yes, if you have a home solar system with enough capacity, you can charge for free or nearly free. The cost then depends only on installation and maintenance of the solar panels, not on electricity rates. Most owners with solar still stay connected to the grid and charge from solar during the day when possible, then from the grid at night.
What is the difference between charging to 80 percent and 100 percent?
Charging to 80 percent costs about 80 percent of a full charge and takes significantly less time. Most owners charge to 80 percent for daily driving because it is faster and slightly cheaper, and it is better for long-term battery health. Charging to 100 percent is mainly useful before a long road trip.