Tesla cars are popular for their environmental, economic, performance, and practical benefits. Our Tesla charging cost calculator makes it easy to see how Tesla electric vehicle ownership can save you monthly money.
Tesla has developed a network of Tesla destination chargers in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, offering Tesla car owners convenient access to Tesla Supercharger stations. Learn more about Tesla charging costs by using our calculator.
Supercharger costs vary based on factors such as the vehicle’s battery capacity, local electricity rates, and electricity consumed during charging.
The impressive efficiency of Tesla’s vehicles also contributes to maintaining low charging expenses, making electric vehicles an attractive option for many drivers. While calculating supercharger costs, it is critical to consider the practical alternatives, including gasoline prices and the cost of charging at home.
Tesla strives to expand its Supercharger network, enhancing the electric vehicle market’s growth by making fast, convenient charging readily available worldwide.
Through continual improvements in technology and infrastructure, Tesla’s Superchargers optimize charging times and ensure a seamless experience for Tesla owners while keeping costs competitive and sustainable.
How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Tesla?
Our charging cost calculator for Tesla is easy to use. Just follow these steps to start using the calculator:
- Select from the list of Tesla Models: We have captured the battery size for each Tesla model in the calculator.
- Input the average electricity rate: The average retail price for electricity is $0.13 per kWh (see below for an average electricity rate by state), and the average cost of a Tesla supercharger is $0.25 per kWh (this varies significantly by state).
- Select the charging level: Different charging levels result in different charging efficiency. The lower the level of charging, the likely lower the level of efficiency you’ll have.
The calculator will display the cost to charge a Tesla fully. You can discount the total cost subtotal accordingly if you know you are charging only 75%.
Tesla Charging Cost Calculator
What is a Tesla Supercharger?
A Tesla Supercharger is a 480-volt direct current (DC) fast charger designed specifically for Tesla electric vehicles (EVs). These chargers provide a convenient and efficient way to recharge Tesla car batteries, making long road trips viable for EV drivers.
Tesla Superchargers are strategically placed in various locations, like shopping centers and rest stops, to accommodate Tesla owners’ needs while they grab a meal or shop.
The cost of charging at a Tesla Supercharger varies depending on factors such as the model of the vehicle, the battery pack size, and local electricity rates. On average, fully charging a Tesla battery can cost around $25. Tesla maintains a pricing structure to cover costs while keeping long-distance travel affordable for Tesla owners.
Here are some key details about Tesla Supercharger costs:
- Tesla Supercharger Price: The energy consumed during charging determines the cost of using a Tesla Supercharger. Depending on local regulations, prices vary by region and can be charged per kilowatt-hour (kWh) or minute.
- Idle Fees: To encourage efficient use of Superchargers, Tesla imposes idle fees to discourage drivers from occupying a charging spot once their vehicle is fully charged. These fees incentivize drivers to promptly move their vehicles, making Supercharger spots available for others who need to charge.
Where To Find Tesla Superchargers
Tesla Superchargers are strategically positioned across various locations to ensure easy access and convenience for owners. These charging points can be frequently found near shopping centers and downtown urban areas, making it an ideal space for users to spend time while their car charges.
To locate Tesla Superchargers, users can rely on Tesla’s in-car navigation system or the Tesla app, which automatically suggests the nearest charging locations and calculates the route. Moreover, Tesla provides a map on their website, allowing users to access information about Supercharger locations and plan their trips accordingly.
Unlike Superchargers, Tesla offers Destination Chargers, typically found at hotels, restaurants, and other establishments. These chargers are slower than Superchargers, but they aim to provide additional charging options for Tesla owners while they do their regular activities.
How To Use Tesla Superchargers
Tesla Superchargers provide a convenient and fast charging solution for Tesla vehicle owners. To access these chargers, follow these simple steps:
- Locate a Supercharger station: Tesla’s navigation system can help find nearby Superchargers. Enter a destination, and the Trip Planner will calculate your route, including any required charging stops.
- Plug in: Upon arriving at the station, park at an available charging stall and plug the charging connector into your vehicle. The Tesla Supercharger network is designed for easy use, and there is no need to swipe a credit card.
- Relax while charging: Most Supercharger stations are near amenities like cafes and shopping centers, providing a comfortable environment to grab a coffee, stretch your legs, or play a game while your vehicle charges.
- Monitor the charge: You can track your vehicle’s charge status in real-time using the Tesla app or the in-car display. Charging times will vary depending on the remaining battery life and the Supercharger’s power capacity.
Tesla Superchargers offer a fast and convenient charging experience, with the ability to add up to 200 miles of range in just 15 minutes. It’s important to note that the cost of using a Supercharger varies based on location, time, and electricity prices.
Cost of Charging at a Tesla Supercharger
The cost of charging at a Supercharger might vary by location, but it’s often more affordable than one might think. On average, Tesla owners can expect to spend $0.34 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) at Tesla’s Level III chargers. This cost may fluctuate depending on peak pricing or regional differences.
It’s important to note that charging at home is likely the most affordable option for owners where Tesla does not offer free access to its Supercharger network. Investing in a home charging station lets drivers have more control over the cost of electricity and often pay lower rates than public charging options.
One must consider additional factors such as charging time and nearby amenities to understand Tesla Supercharger costs better. Though charging an electric vehicle (EV) can take longer than refueling a traditional vehicle, Tesla has strategically placed Superchargers in convenient locations like shopping centers and downtown urban areas.
This planning allows owners to make the most of their time while waiting for their cars to charge.
About Idle Fees
While the Tesla Supercharger network provides a fast and convenient way for electric vehicle owners to recharge during long trips, leaving a car connected to a Supercharger after the charging session can lead to idle fees. This applies to all Tesla models. These fees ensure the availability of chargers for all Tesla customers and encourage efficient use of the charging stations.
Idle fees apply to any Tesla vehicle occupying a Supercharger if the station is at 50% capacity or more and the charging session is complete. In such cases, the idle fee is $0.50 per minute. When a Supercharger station reaches 100% capacity, the idle fee doubles to $1.00 per minute. All Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y vehicles can incur these fees.
To avoid incurring idle fees, drivers can move their electric vehicle within the first five minutes, during which the fees are waived. Utilizing the Tesla app, owners receive notifications when their car is almost done charging, allowing them the opportunity to move their vehicle promptly.
Example Tesla Supercharger Cost Calculation
The cost to charge a Tesla at a Supercharger depends on where you are charging, as the energy costs and electricity rates at each Supercharger station vary. For example, the electricity rate to charge in Minnesota is approximately $0.33 per kWh compared to my home electricity rate of ~$0.12 per kWh. This is approximately a 300% increase.
But, given that the charging efficiency is much better at a Supercharger, the increase is slightly less than that. Use our calculator to determine how much it costs to charge a Tesla based on the model.
The Cost of Charging a Tesla at Home
Charging Cost Per kWh
Charging a Tesla at home is often more cost-effective than using Superchargers. The national average for residential electricity is $0.16 per kilowatt-hour, while the Supercharging cost can average around 32 cents per kWh.
Home charging typically costs about 3 cents per mile, whereas Supercharging may cost around 10 cents per mile. Remember that these figures can vary based on your location, energy provider, and the time-of-use rate plan you have.
Cost for Installation
When installing a home charger for your Tesla, there are several options. One option is to use the mobile connector that comes with the vehicle, a charging cable, which requires no additional setup cost and plugs into a wall outlet. However, you might consider installing a Level 2 charging station for faster charging and convenience.
A Level 2 charging station can cost between $500 and $2,000, not factoring in the potential installation and electrical work expenses. It’s essential to consult with an electrician to get an accurate estimate based on your home’s wiring and electrical capacity.
While this initial cost might seem steep, it ultimately provides more convenience and can save money over time compared to public Supercharging stations. Here is a comparison table of charging a Tesla at home vs at a supercharger.
| Charging Option | Average Cost per kWh | Estimated Time to Full Charge | Total Cost to Charge from 0 to 100%* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supercharger | $0.25 – $0.58 | Approx. 1 hour | $16.25 – $37.70 for a 65-kWh battery |
| Home Charging | $0.16 (average US) | Approx. 8-12 hours | $10.40 for a 65-kWh battery |
Where to Charge a Tesla for Free
Regarding charging your Tesla for free, some options are available. While not all charging stations offer this luxury, identifying and taking advantage of those can save costs in the long run and improve the overall Tesla ownership experience.
Tesla’s referral program, for instance, grants free unlimited Supercharging for new Model S, Model X, and Model 3 Performance buyers. With this benefit, owners can charge a Tesla for free at any Supercharger location. As a note, this perk is exclusively for the mentioned models and referral program participants.
There’s another option to consider. Workplace charging facilities may offer free charging to employees who drive electric vehicles.
Numerous organizations have begun implementing onsite charging stations to boost sustainability and encourage environmentally friendly transportation choices. Be sure to check if such a program exists at your place of employment or inquire about their willingness to implement one.
Finally, public charging networks and gas stations sometimes allow free charging for electric vehicle owners. These can be found in shopping centers, municipal buildings, and hotels. While not all of them will provide gratis charging, it’s worth searching for and cultivating a list of those that do.
Do Tesla owners get free Supercharging?
Tesla’s Supercharging network provides fast and convenient charging to Tesla electric vehicle (EV) owners for long-distance travel. However, free Supercharging is not available for all owners. The eligibility for free Supercharging varies based on the specific vehicle and the time of purchase.
Initially, Tesla offered free and unlimited Supercharging for all Model S and Model X owners. However, to sustain the rapidly expanding network and meet demand, Tesla shifted its policy and introduced different conditions.
Current Tesla Model S and Model X owners with active unlimited free Supercharging are eligible for six years of unlimited Supercharging if they trade in or remove their existing vehicle from the account.
This incentivizes loyal customers to upgrade to newer models and maintain access to the convenient Supercharging network. It’s also worth noting that Tesla occasionally offers limited-time promotions, which may include free Supercharging for new vehicle purchases.
To determine if your Tesla qualifies for any active promotions or offers to charge a Tesla for free, check the specific terms associated with your vehicle during the purchase or leasing process.
What is charge efficiency?
The efficiency with which a Tesla battery is charged affects the overall cost of charging your car. The charge efficacy of a battery is the ability of a battery to take charge of a Tesla. Most Tesla drivers are unaware that their Tesla’s battery causes significant power loss.
These losses were largely prevented by the advancement of electric vehicle charging technology, although they had an impact.
How Tesla’s charging efficiency is determined
Tesla has ensured that Tesla charging will be efficient for how much power you are using. You can also see how many miles you can drive off the charge based on your actions while charging.
Tesla recommends that owners charge their vehicles at home, where they do not need to pay an electrician to install a cable.
- Charge efficiency is how much energy your battery packs store up (in percentage) after inputting amps, volts, and other factors like temperature. Tesla cars require low amp rates if they maintain optimal performance levels.
- Charge efficiency varies from person to person and EV to EV, but with Tesla vehicles, Tesla has ensured that it will be efficient for how much power you are using. You can also see how many miles you can drive off the charge based on your actions while charging.
What is electric vehicle efficiency?
Electric car efficiency measures how many miles an EV battery can travel on a given battery capacity in kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity. Tesla’s Tesla S energy consumption was 21.75 kWh per mile, or about 112 MPG equivalent when doing 100 miles.
See Related: How Much Does a Solar Battery Cost?
Types of Electricity Rates
Depending on your specific electric plan, charging an electric vehicle versus filling a gas vehicle may result in significantly different overall charging costs. The government generally regulates gasoline prices, and consumers can buy gasoline from that business or look for alternatives. Depending on the type of electricity you want, your utility might deliver electricity to your home.
The following are the four main electricity rates that Tesla defines and how they might cost to charge a Tesla:
Real-time pricing
Real-time pricing for electricity is defined as electricity pricing rates that fluctuate throughout the day as a result of current market demand.
As electricity prices decrease, customers can take advantage of real-time pricing. Tesla has already installed this technology to allow customers to charge a Tesla at the lowest possible price. The real-time pricing system will enable Tesla drivers to get the cheapest rates for charging their cars.
Time-of-Use Rate
Owners in California can save money on charging their cars by using time-of-use (TOU) electricity rates. TOU rates are lower than the regular rates during off-peak hours, so Tesla owners can save money by charging their cars during those hours. The chart below shows the off-peak hours for each day of the week.
Charging your Tesla during off-peak hours can save you a lot of money. For example, charging your Tesla from 9 p.m. to midnight will cost only $0.11 per kWh, while charging from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. will cost $0.26 per kWh. So, if you charge your Tesla overnight, you can save $0.15 per kWh.
Flat rates
Flat-rate electricity pricing is a newer way of billing customers for electricity usage. With this pricing, customers are charged a flat fee for all the electricity they use during a specified period. This period can be anywhere from one hour to one month.
Flat rate pricing is an alternative to the traditional way of billing customers for electricity, which is based on how much electricity they use during certain periods. Under this system, customers are charged a higher rate for electricity used during peak hours, when demand is highest.
Many people prefer flat-rate pricing because it is easier to understand and ensures you won’t pay more for electricity than you need to. It also makes budgeting for your electricity easier since you always know how much you’ll pay.
Tiered rates
Electricity pricing is often tiered, meaning customers will be charged different rates depending on how much power they consume. This is the case with Tesla’s charging, where lower rates are applied for the first 1% of the energy used, and a higher rate is applied for any additional consumption.
This can be helpful for customers who want to conserve energy, as they can avoid being charged a higher rate for their electric use EV charging elsewhere. Tesla’s charging pricing is more affordable than many traditional automotive charging systems.
See Related: Can I Afford a Tesla?
Electricity Rates by State in the US
Gasoline costs differ by state and nation. However, electric providers charge an average cost for their energy to operate. This rate may be discovered directly on your utility bill or use our table of the average electricity rate by state from the EIA.
| State | Average Retail Cost (Cents/kWh) | Total Retail Sales (MWh) |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 9.84 | 83,395,605 |
| Alaska | 19.82 | 5,917,577 |
| Arizona | 10.44 | 81,960,074 |
| Arkansas | 8.32 | 45,851,003 |
| California | 18 | 250,174,672 |
| Colorado | 10.27 | 56,050,264 |
| Connecticut | 19.13 | 27,113,673 |
| Delaware | 10.24 | 11,129,051 |
| District of Columbia | 11.9 | 9,785,775 |
| Florida | 10.06 | 242,440,171 |
| Georgia | 9.93 | 133,470,142 |
| Hawaii | 27.55 | 8,796,761 |
| Idaho | 7.99 | 24,461,352 |
| Illinois | 9.75 | 132,469,277 |
| Indiana | 9.92 | 97,155,744 |
| Iowa | 8.97 | 50,639,862 |
| Kansas | 10.38 | 39,483,946 |
| Kentucky | 8.58 | 71,800,399 |
| Louisiana | 7.51 | 89,126,685 |
| Maine | 13.54 | 11,346,740 |
| Maryland | 11.15 | 57,629,040 |
| Massachusetts | 18.19 | 50,009,341 |
| Michigan | 12.21 | 97,011,906 |
| Minnesota | 10.57 | 64,054,606 |
| Mississippi | 9.13 | 46,482,040 |
| Missouri | 9.64 | 75,725,712 |
| Montana | 9.13 | 14,584,179 |
| Nebraska | 8.97 | 31,171,536 |
| Nevada | 8.33 | 38,233,899 |
| New Hampshire | 16.63 | 10,693,529 |
| New Jersey | 13.63 | 71,998,221 |
| New Mexico | 9.33 | 24,777,155 |
| New York | 14.87 | 140,406,632 |
| North Carolina | 9.43 | 130,390,980 |
| North Dakota | 8.53 | 21,819,452 |
| Ohio | 9.44 | 142,615,199 |
| Oklahoma | 7.63 | 62,299,305 |
| Oregon | 8.82 | 51,019,313 |
| Pennsylvania | 9.7 | 139,720,837 |
| Rhode Island | 18.54 | 7,351,541 |
| South Carolina | 9.9 | 76,737,176 |
| South Dakota | 10.06 | 12,695,845 |
| Tennessee | 9.52 | 95,003,888 |
| Texas | 8.36 | 426,863,267 |
| Utah | 8.27 | 31,663,157 |
| Vermont | 16.33 | 5,331,458 |
| Virginia | 9.16 | 117,254,388 |
| Washington | 8.33 | 86,706,144 |
| West Virginia | 8.75 | 32,076,583 |
| Wisconsin | 10.82 | 67,448,361 |
| Wyoming | 8.27 | 15,331,018 |
The charging cost is calculated as follows: Battery capacity in kWh x percent of battery charge = charging costs per kWh (kWh = Kilowatt Hour). Tesla calculates that 100 kWh of battery power takes approximately 20 hours to charge fully: 100 kWh x .2 (20%) = 20h.
A full charge for Tesla’s Model S would cost around $4.80 in California and $6.30 in New York State. For Tesla’s Model X, Tesla estimates the cost to be around $5.50 in California and about $6.90 in New York state.
The Tesla charging cost calculator is a quick way of obtaining Tesla’s prices for charging your Tesla electric vehicle per state. Tesla recommends that customers do not charge their car with Tesla chargers more than once every 20 hours to maximize the life of the Tesla battery.
Tesla also expects its customers to be prompt when charging their Tesla vehicles because Tesla chargers are in high demand and have low supply in many areas.
See Related: Best Auto Loans for Tesla
FAQ
How do you calculate the cost of charging a Tesla?
To estimate a charging rate, multiply your battery capacity (a kWh) by the percentage charge you have for your battery, then multiply that by the effective cost of a kWh charged.
How much does it cost to charge Tesla at home?
This varies depending on the Tesla model, your level of charging, and your electricity rate. Our Tesla charging cost calculator indicates that it costs anywhere between $4 and $20 to charge your Tesla electric car at home. For example, charging a Tesla Model 3 Standard to a full battery would cost approximately $7.27 using a standard Level 2 charger.
How much does charging a Tesla at home cost monthly?
The average monthly charging cost of a Tesla is $25 or $33. This average monthly cost varies depending on how much you charge, how often you drive, your charging efficiency, and the electricity rate you are charged.
How much does it cost to charge Tesla once?
Our Tesla charging cost calculator indicates that it costs anywhere between $4 and $20 to charge your Tesla electric car at home. For example, charging a Tesla Model 3 Standard to a full battery would cost approximately $7.27 using a standard Level 2 charger.
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