The most efficient Tesla sedan costs about $14.22 to charge at home.
Pre-filled with the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD: 79 kWh usable battery, 3.85 mi/kWh. Change any number to match your car.
The Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD is the efficiency champion of the Tesla lineup. Its 79 kWh usable battery delivers an EPA-estimated 341 miles — the longest range of any Tesla sedan under $50,000 — while using just 26 kWh per 100 miles. A full home charge at the US average electricity rate costs about $14.22, and that single charge carries you further than any other car in its price class. Cost per mile works out to under 5 cents, which is why the Model 3 remains the default answer for buyers who want the lowest possible running costs.
The Model 3 achieves this with a low, aerodynamic body and a drivetrain tuned for efficiency rather than show. It is a sedan, so it slips through the air more easily than the Model Y SUV, and that shows up directly in your electricity bill: the same 1,000 miles a month costs about $47 at home in the Model 3, versus about $50 in the Model Y. The Long Range AWD trim adds a second motor for all-weather traction and a bigger battery than the base rear-wheel-drive car, and it still charges at the full 250 kW Supercharger rate.
| Specification | Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD |
|---|---|
| Battery (usable) | 79 kWh (usable, est.) |
| EPA-estimated range | 341 miles |
| Efficiency | 3.85 miles per kWh (26 kWh/100 mi (EPA)) |
| 10–80% DC fast charge | ~22 minutes |
| Max DC fast-charge power | 250 kW |
| Charge port | NACS |
| Starting MSRP | From $45,990 (approx. — verify with dealer) |
Efficiency is the number that matters most for your wallet. At 3.85 miles per kWh, every kilowatt-hour of electricity takes you 3.85 miles. A more efficient car needs fewer kilowatt-hours for the same trip, so it costs less to charge even with the same battery size.
The table below uses the US average home rate of $0.18 per kWh (EIA, August 2026) and the national public fast-charging average of $0.48 per kWh (estimate). The "mixed" column assumes 80% home charging and 20% public charging, which matches how most owners actually charge.
| Annual mileage | Home only | Public only | Mixed (80/20) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 miles | $374.03 | $997.40 | $498.70 |
| 12,000 miles | $561.04 | $1,496.10 | $748.05 |
| 15,000 miles | $701.30 | $1,870.13 | $935.06 |
At home, the Model 3 is almost absurdly cheap to run. Its 11.5 kW onboard charger adds about 44 miles of range per hour on a Level 2 wall connector, so a typical overnight session replaces a full day of driving several times over. Driving 1,000 miles a month at the US average home rate of $0.18 per kWh costs roughly $47; in Texas ($0.159 per kWh) that falls to about $41, and in Washington ($0.146) to about $38. Even in California, the most expensive large state for electricity at $0.298 per kWh, the same driving costs about $77 a month — still less than half what a gas sedan costs in fuel. Because the battery is smaller than an SUV's, a full 0–100% charge at home takes around 7 hours on Level 2, which fits easily into an overnight window.
On road trips the Model 3 is one of the fastest-charging sedans you can buy. It peaks at 250 kW on a V3 Supercharger and completes a 10% to 80% charge in about 22 minutes when the battery is preconditioned — add roughly 240 miles of range in the time it takes to buy coffee. Tesla owners typically pay $0.25 to $0.40 per kWh at Superchargers, so a full charge runs about $20 to $32. At a non-Tesla fast charger the national average is closer to $0.48 per kWh, or about $38 for a full charge. The Model 3's efficiency means even public charging stays affordable: a 10–80% road-trip stop costs roughly $27 at average fast-charging rates.
The Model 3's closest gas rival is the Toyota Camry, and the Camry is no pushover — the hybrid Camry manages an excellent 47 mpg. Even so, the Model 3 wins clearly. Over 60,000 miles in five years, the Camry burns about 1,277 gallons, costing roughly $5,235 at $4.10 a gallon. The Model 3 uses about 15,600 kWh for the same distance, costing around $3,740 on a typical 80% home / 20% public mix. The saving is about $1,500 over five years — smaller than against a thirsty SUV, because the Camry is so efficient, but the Model 3 still wins, and it wins bigger if gas prices rise or if you charge mostly at home. Add in no oil changes and minimal brake wear, and the gap grows further.
| 5 years / 60,000 miles | Tesla Model 3 | Toyota Camry (gas) |
|---|---|---|
| Energy used | 15,584 kWh | 1,277 gallons |
| Fuel cost (5 years) | $3,740.26 | $5,234.04 |
| You save with the Tesla Model 3 | $1,493.78 over 5 years | |
EV figure uses a typical 80% home / 20% public mix at the US average home rate ($0.18/kWh) and the $0.48/kWh public average. Gas figure uses 47 mpg combined and $4.10 per gallon (AAA, November 2026). Fuel costs only — purchase price, insurance and maintenance are not included.
Electricity prices vary enormously by state. The table below shows what a full 0–100% home charge of the Tesla Model 3 costs in the ten biggest EV states, at each state's average residential rate (EIA, August 2026).
| State | Rate ($/kWh) | Full home charge |
|---|---|---|
| California | $0.297 | $23.50 |
| Texas | $0.159 | $12.57 |
| Florida | $0.150 | $11.84 |
| Washington | $0.146 | $11.56 |
| New York | $0.286 | $22.63 |
| Arizona | $0.150 | $11.89 |
| Colorado | $0.172 | $13.56 |
| Oregon | $0.159 | $12.58 |
| New Jersey | $0.246 | $19.44 |
| Georgia | $0.159 | $12.56 |
| US average | $0.180 | $14.22 |
A full 0–100% home charge of the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD costs about $14.22 at the US average residential rate of $0.18 per kWh (EIA, August 2026). At a public DC fast charger, the same charge costs about $37.92 at the national average of $0.48 per kWh.
About $0.047 per mile on home charging alone, or about $0.062 per mile on a typical mix of 80% home and 20% public charging. Driving 1,000 miles a month costs about $62.34 on that mix, or about $748.05 a year for 12,000 miles.
On a DC fast charger, the Tesla Model 3 goes from 10% to 80% in ~22 minutes at up to 250 kW. At home on a Level 2 charger, a full charge takes roughly 7 to 10 hours overnight, depending on your charger's power.
Yes — for almost every EV owner. Home electricity averages about $0.18 per kWh in the US, while public fast charging averages about $0.48 per kWh. A home Level 2 charger typically costs $500 to $1,500 installed (before any utility rebates), and most owners recover that cost in one to two years of fuel savings.
Among large EV states, Washington is cheapest at about $0.146 per kWh, followed by Florida at $0.150 and Texas at $0.159. California is the most expensive large state at about $0.298 per kWh. Your state can change your monthly charging bill by $40 or more.
A full 0–100% charge of the Model 3 Long Range costs roughly $20 to $32 at a Supercharger, where Tesla owners typically pay $0.25 to $0.40 per kWh depending on the state and time of day. A more typical road-trip stop, 10% to 80%, costs about $14 to $22. That is roughly double the home-charging cost of about $14.20 for a full charge, which is why home charging is always the cheaper option.
Estimates only. Battery capacity is usable capacity (usable, est.); Tesla does not publish usable capacity, so Tesla figures are widely reported estimates. Electricity rates are statewide averages from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (August 2026); your utility, rate plan, time of use, taxes and fees will change your actual bill. Public charging at $0.48/kWh is a national average estimate. EPA range and efficiency are estimates for the Long Range AWD trim; real-world figures vary with speed, temperature, terrain and driving style. MSRP is approximate — verify with the dealer. Rates updated November 2026. Not financial advice.