How much does it cost to charge a Tesla?
A full Tesla charge at home costs about $9–$15 at the U.S. average rate (18.31¢/kWh); Superchargers cost roughly 2–3× more per kWh.
Key takeaways
- U.S. average residential electricity was 18.31¢/kWh in July 2026 (EIA).
- A full home charge costs about $9–$15 for a typical 60–82 kWh Tesla pack.
- Superchargers run roughly $0.30–$0.45/kWh, with peaks of $0.50–$0.60+.
- Per mile: about 4–5¢ charging at home vs 10–12¢ on a Supercharger.
- Charging at home is 2–3× cheaper per kWh than Supercharging.
Charging a Tesla at home costs about $9–$15 for a full charge at the U.S. average residential electricity rate of 18.31¢/kWh (EIA, July 2026), or roughly 4–5¢ per mile. Supercharging is 2–3× more expensive — typically $0.30–$0.45 per kWh and about 10–12¢ per mile. Your exact cost depends on your battery size, your local electricity rate, and whether you charge at home or on the road.
What you actually pay at home
The math is simple: battery size in kWh times your electricity rate. The EIA pegged the U.S. average residential price at 18.31¢/kWh in July 2026. Tesla does not publish official pack sizes, but nrgcleanpower estimates usable capacity at about 60–69 kWh for standard Model 3 and Model Y and 78–82 kWh for premium/long-range versions. At the national average rate, a full charge therefore runs roughly $11 for a 60 kWh pack and about $15 for an 82 kWh pack. In cheap-electricity states (11–13¢/kWh) a Model 3 full charge is closer to $9–$10, while high-cost states (high-20s to low-30s ¢/kWh) push it toward $20–$25.
| Scenario | Cost | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Full home charge, ~60 kWh pack (U.S. avg 18.31¢) | ~$11 | EIA rate × capacity |
| Full home charge, ~82 kWh pack (U.S. avg 18.31¢) | ~$15 | EIA rate × capacity |
| Model 3 RWD full charge at 14¢/kWh | $9–$10 | tslna.com |
| Model 3 RWD full charge at 30¢/kWh | $19–$20 | tslna.com |
| Model 3 Premium at Supercharger (50¢/kWh) | ~$45 full | nrgcleanpower |
| Per mile — home charging | ~4–5¢ | tslna.com |
| Per mile — Supercharger | ~10–12¢ | tslna.com |
Home vs Supercharger
Supercharging trades cost for speed. tslna.com reports typical U.S. Supercharger rates of $0.30–$0.45 per kWh, with premium locations hitting $0.50–$0.60+ at peak times — roughly two to three times the home rate. A full Model 3 RWD charge that costs $9–$10 at home is about $23 at a $0.38/kWh Supercharger, and a 10–80% top-up is around $15. Most owners do 80–90% of charging at home and use Superchargers mainly for road trips.
Cost per mile
Per-mile cost is the fairest way to compare. tslna.com puts home charging at about 4–5¢ per mile and Supercharging at about 10–12¢ per mile. For reference, it also cites a 28-mpg gas car at $3.95/gallon costing about 14¢ per mile — so even Supercharging usually beats gasoline, and home charging beats it handily.
What moves the price
- Your electricity rate: the single biggest factor — from ~11¢/kWh in the cheapest states to 40¢+ in Hawaii.
- Battery size: a ~60 kWh standard pack costs less to fill than a ~82 kWh long-range pack.
- Home vs Supercharger: Supercharging is 2–3× the per-kWh cost of home charging.
- Time-of-use plans: off-peak or EV rate plans can cut home charging cost dramatically; peak windows can more than double it.
- State of charge: most owners top up rather than run 0–100%, so real sessions cost less than a full charge.
Ways to save
Charging overnight on an EV or time-of-use rate is the biggest lever, since off-peak power can cost a fraction of the daytime rate. Charging to about 80% for daily use, and reserving Superchargers for trips, keeps per-mile cost near the 4–5¢ home figure. Home solar can lower the effective rate further.
These figures are current ranges as of the verified date and vary by state, utility plan, model and charging habits. Check your own kWh rate and Tesla app pricing for exact costs.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fully charge a Tesla at home?
About $9–$15 at the U.S. average residential rate of 18.31¢/kWh (EIA) for a typical 60–82 kWh pack. High-cost states can push a full charge toward $20–$25.
How much does Supercharging cost?
Roughly $0.30–$0.45 per kWh in the U.S., with premium sites reaching $0.50–$0.60+ at peak (tslna.com) — about 2–3× the cost of charging at home.
What does it cost per mile to charge a Tesla?
About 4–5¢ per mile charging at home and 10–12¢ per mile on a Supercharger, per tslna.com. Both typically beat a 28-mpg gas car at about 14¢ per mile.
How many kWh does a full Tesla charge take?
Usable capacity is roughly 60–69 kWh for standard Model 3/Y and 78–82 kWh for long-range versions (nrgcleanpower); Tesla does not publish official pack sizes.
Is charging at home really cheaper?
Yes. Home electricity averages 18.31¢/kWh (EIA), while Superchargers run $0.30–$0.45/kWh — so home charging is about 2–3× cheaper per kWh.
How can I lower my Tesla charging cost?
Charge overnight on an off-peak or EV rate plan, top up to about 80% for daily driving, and reserve Superchargers for road trips to stay near 4–5¢ per mile.
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