How much is electricity for a tesla

A Tesla is a well-built electric vehicle that’s changing the automotive game. Yet even with its stellar reviews, understanding how Teslas charge and how much power they use is an important aspect of ownership.

Charging a Tesla is much cheaper than paying for gas. The national average of kWh is $0.13. You can estimate how much it will cost to charge your Tesla’s battery by multiplying $0.13 by the size of the battery.

For example, a Tesla Model X has a battery of 100 KW. That means you can expect to pay approximately $13 to charge your Tesla X. That said, batteries’ effectiveness depends, so you might see a range up to $16 for a 100 KW battery, but it’s still much cheaper than gas.

While the charging system of a Tesla is complex, comprehending basic knowledge can put this in perspective. Watts and voltage are the two most important factors in charging an electric vehicle’s battery.

  • Watts measure the electrical power equal to one amp under the pressure of one volt.
  • Volts measure energy potential from one device to another, much like an electric version of water pressure.

To address your question, you’re probably not thinking of watts. You’re thinking of kilowatt-hours or kWh. Kilowatt-hours are the measurement of 1,000 watts for one hour and this is the measurement you use to determine how much you will pay to charge your Tesla. Kilowatt-hours are also what you see on your power bill each month and determine how much you pay for your electricity.

Another factor you may want to consider is your home charger that’s measured in volts. A regular 110-volt wall outlet without any modifications can take as long as four days to charge your Tesla completely. But if you install the wall connector at 240 volts, you can charge your Tesla completely in around eight to 10 hours. Because of this variance, Tesla strongly recommends you install the wall connector in your home with the help of a licensed electrician.

Now that you know how much money you can save on fuel with a Tesla compared to a gas-powered vehicle, don’t let your savings end there. Instead, think about your Tesla car insurance.

The good news is that Jerry makes car insurance just as easy as charging your Tesla. Download the Jerry app today to compare quotes from more than 50 top insurance companies, including Nationwide, Allstate, and Travelers. The average Jerry driver saves $879 a year on car insurance!

  • Charging at Home
  • Destination Charger
  • Supercharger
  • Other Charging Networks
  • Energy Bills

How much is electricity for a tesla

Sjo / iStock.com

With gas prices remaining high, electric vehicles have become increasingly popular. Many gas-powered vehicle manufacturers have started adding all-electric vehicles to their lineups. 

Despite the growing number of EVs on the market, Tesla, an exclusively electric vehicle manufacturer, remains the most popular brand of EV in the U.S., accounting for 68% of all new EV registrations in the first half of 2022. Owners don’t have to pay for gas, but charging isn’t free.

While the exact cost of charging a Tesla depends on several factors, drivers can expect to pay between $8.82 and $25.25 to fully charge a depleted Tesla battery.

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How Much Does It Cost To Charge a Tesla at Home?

Based on national average energy cost of 15.42 cents per kWh and an added 15% to account for a home charger’s inefficiency, a Tesla will cost from $8.82 to $17.65 to charge from 0% to 100%. Here’s a breakdown based on different models:

  • Model 3 Standard Range Plus (50 kWh): $8.82
  • Model Y (75 kWh): $13.24
  • Model 3 Long Range/Model 3 Performance (82 kWh): $14.47
  • Model S (100 kWh): $17.65
  • Model X/Model X Plaid (100 kWh): $17.75

Does Owning a Tesla Save Energy?

One of the benefits of owning a Tesla, or any EV for that matter, is the convenience of being able to charge at home. Home charging costs will depend on location, the size of the battery in the Tesla and the type of charger used.

According to the most recent data from the Energy Information Administration, the national average energy cost is 15.42 cents per kilowatt-hour, with prices ranging from 11.24 cents per kWh in Utah, to 44.04 per kWh in Hawaii.

Tesla vehicles have different size batteries. The bigger the battery, the more it will cost to charge. However, a driver won’t have to charge a vehicle with a larger battery as often. 

Finally, charging at home involves using a Level 1, a standard 120V outlet, or Level 2, a 240V outlet, AC charger. These chargers aren’t 100% efficient and will draw more electricity to replenish a battery. Car and Driver estimates Level 1 and Level 2 chargers pull 12% to 15% more electricity than the amount necessary to fill the car.

How Much Does It Cost To Charge a Tesla at a Destination Charger?

The cost to charge at a Tesla charging station, also known as Destination Chargers, deliver Level 2 charging. Some places offer free charging if you meet a specific condition, such as having a hotel reservation. Note that Tesla doesn’t own and operate these chargers. Instead, commercial establishments install them.

What Does It Cost To Use a Tesla Supercharger?

The Tesla Supercharger network features public chargers that offer super fast, or Level 3, charging. The chargers are also much more efficient, at around 99%.

Most Superchargers have per kWh pricing. Exact prices vary depending on the location and time of day, but Solar Reviews states it’s around 25 cents per kWh. Depending on your vehicle, it can cost anywhere from $12.63 to $25.25 to charge a Tesla from 0% to 100%. 

Another factor to note is that Superchargers occasionally charge idle fees. If a station is more than 50% full, Tesla will tack on an additional cost for every minute your car stays plugged in after it’s fully charged. According to Tesla, that fee is 50 cents per minute at 50% capacity and $1 per minute at 100%. 

Can You Use Other Charging Networks?

If you have a J-1772 adapter, you can charge a Tesla with other charging networks such as EVgo and Electrify America. Stations throughout the country offer Level 2 and DC fast charging. Prices vary by location and whether the station charges per minute or per kWh.

How Much Does Charging a Tesla Affect Your Energy Bills?

The impact on your energy bills depends on how often you charge your car at home, the charger type you use, how much you pay for electricity and the type of energy plan you have. For instance, if you use a Level 1 charger and your rate fluctuates depending on the time of day, it will cost you much more if you charge during peak hours than if you were to charge during off-peak times. The result would be a more significant impact on your monthly power bills. If your home has solar, it may not cost you anything to charge at home.

Final Take

The cost to charge a Tesla varies depending on many factors, including the model you own and whether you charge at home or using a charging network.

To calculate more accurate costs of charging at home, take a look at your electricity plan and look up the battery capacity of the Tesla you own or want to buy. Multiply your rate by the battery size, and don’t forget to factor in efficiency loss. You can also look up the cost of charging at nearby Superchargers and other network chargers to determine the costs of charging outside of your home. 

How much does your electric bill go up with a Tesla?

Across all Tesla products, the average charging cost per mile is 4.56 cents per mile. So, if you only charge your Tesla at home, you can expect your electricity bill to increase by about $50 each month.

How much does it cost to charge a Tesla at charging station?

Is it free to charge a Tesla at a charging station? No, it isn't free to charge a Tesla at a charging station. Charging your Tesla at a Supercharger comes with a price, typically around 26 cents per kWh. This is often more expensive than using a different means of charging, such as a 120-volt or 240-volt outlet.

How much does it cost per day to charge a Tesla?

To fully charge the battery in the 2021 Standard Range Model 3, you can anticipate paying around $7.65. This works out to around $0.03 every mile, or $2.91 per 100 miles. It would cost $12.54 to charge the 2021 Long Range and Performance versions fully.

How much does electricity cost per year for a Tesla?

But 3 cents per mile is a good fair number for your Tesla's electricity bill per mile. It also depends on your driving habits. So going off averages, say 12k miles a year, thats 360 dollars a year, or $30 a month.