How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Tesla at Home? 2026 Complete Guide
Charging a Tesla at home costs approximately $0.044 per mile at the US average electricity rate of $0.16/kWh — roughly 75% cheaper than gas. A full charge on a Model 3 costs about $10.67, Model Y about $12.00, and Model S about $16.00. Annual charging cost for 13,500 miles averages just $540-$620, compared to $1,700+ for gas.
Charging Cost by Tesla Model
The charging cost depends on battery size and efficiency. Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (60 kWh usable) costs $9.60 for a full charge. Model 3 Long Range (75 kWh) costs $12.00. Model Y (75 kWh) costs $12.00. Model S (100 kWh) costs $16.00. Model X (100 kWh) costs $16.00. Cybertruck (123 kWh) costs $19.68. These costs assume the national average of $0.16/kWh. Your actual cost depends on your local electricity rate — check our Electricity Cost Calculator for your state.
Home Charging vs Gas — Annual Cost Comparison
The savings are dramatic. At 13,500 miles per year (US average), a Tesla Model 3 costs about $540 in electricity. A comparable gas sedan at 28 MPG and $3.50/gallon costs $1,688 — that's $1,148 in annual savings. Over a typical 8-year ownership period, that's $9,184 in fuel savings alone. Even at higher electricity rates ($0.25/kWh), the Model 3 still costs only $844/year — still half the cost of gas.
Level 1 vs Level 2 Charging Speed
Level 1 (120V/12A): Standard household outlet. Adds 3-5 miles of range per hour. Fine for PHEVs but too slow for daily Tesla use (40+ hours for a full charge). No installation needed. Level 2 (240V/48A): Dedicated circuit with Tesla Wall Connector or NEMA 14-50 outlet. Adds 30-44 miles per hour. Full charge overnight (8-10 hours). Recommended for all Tesla owners. Installation cost: $500-$1,500.
Wiring Requirements for Tesla Home Charging
The Tesla Wall Connector draws 48A continuous and requires a 60A breaker per NEC 625 (48A × 1.25 = 60A for continuous loads). Wire: 6 AWG copper for up to 50 feet, or 4 AWG for longer runs. A NEMA 14-50 outlet (for the Tesla Mobile Connector at 32A) needs a 50A breaker with 6 AWG wire. NEC 625.54 requires GFCI protection for all EV charging equipment. See our EV Charger Breaker Guide.
| Model | Battery (kWh) | Full Charge | $/Mile | Annual (13.5k mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model 3 SR | 60 kWh | $9.60 | $0.040 | $540 |
| Model 3 LR | 75 kWh | $12.00 | $0.044 | $594 |
| Model Y | 75 kWh | $12.00 | $0.044 | $594 |
| Model S | 100 kWh | $16.00 | $0.046 | $616 |
| Model X | 100 kWh | $16.00 | $0.051 | $689 |
| Cybertruck | 123 kWh | $19.68 | $0.066 | $886 |
Save More with Time-of-Use Rates
Many utilities offer time-of-use (TOU) rates with off-peak pricing as low as $0.05-$0.10/kWh overnight. Tesla vehicles can be scheduled to charge during these low-rate hours automatically. At $0.08/kWh off-peak: Model 3 full charge drops to $5.33, and annual cost falls to just $270 — a 95% reduction compared to gas. Check with your utility about EV-specific rate plans. Some states also offer additional EV rebates and incentives.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational reference only. Consult a licensed professional for all electrical work and solar installations.