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

Charging a Tesla at a charging station can be free at some stations or as little as a dollar at a ChargePoint charging station. At the most expensive, charging can cost up to $0.50/kWh, although that is still less than you would pay for the equivalent in gas.

Is charging a Tesla cheaper than gas?

Yes, charging a Tesla is almost always cheaper than gas. If you're charging at home, charging your Tesla will cost about a quarter of the equivalent amount of gas.

Can I charge my Tesla for free?

There are some stations in the parking lots of supermarkets and shopping centers that offer free EV charging while you shop.

How many miles is a full charge for a Tesla?

The range varies depending on the Tesla model. At the low end, the Tesla Model 3 RWD has a range of 272 miles, while the Model S gets an estimated range of 402 miles.

How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Tesla?

By Jeremy Bowman – Updated Jan 17, 2025 at 11:30 AM EST

Key Points

Home charging a Tesla is cheaper than public stations and varies by state electricity costs.
Tesla model type affects charging costs, with specific costs articulated per model.
Charging at night can reduce costs due to lower electricity rates offered by some utilities.

If you're considering buying an electric vehicle (EV) like a Tesla (TSLA -2.03%), one of the biggest questions on your mind is likely the cost of charging a Tesla.

In a gas-powered vehicle, paying to fill the tank is straightforward, and gas prices are advertised everywhere. Charging an electric vehicle, on the other hand, comes with a number of options.

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An infographic listing four factors that affect how much it costs to charge a Tesla. — Image source: The Motley Fool.

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You can charge it at home if you install your own charging equipment. You can charge it for free in certain locations, or you can go to a charging station like a supercharger and pay to charge it. The cost can vary significantly based on where you charge, what kind of vehicle you have, and even the time of day.

In this article, we'll look at how costs vary to charge a Tesla, depending on the circumstances.

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1. Where you charge

Where you charge your Tesla can be the biggest factor impacting your cost. Electricity costs vary significantly from state to state. For example, the average person in Connecticut will pay $0.22 per kWh (kilowatt-hour), which is double the roughly $0.11 per kWh that a Louisiana resident pays.

The place you choose to charge it can also make a big difference. Charging your car at home overnight is typically cheaper than charging it at a charging station on the road. You can also possibly find a place where you can charge it for free, such as at some supermarket chains or shopping centers, which allow you to charge your car for free while you shop there.

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Tesla charging costs.
Model	Cost to drive 100 miles	Gas savings
Model S	$4.48	$12.48
Model 3	$4.07	$9.84
Model X	$5.28	$12.42
Model Y	$4.48	$11.12
Cybertruck	$7.47	$9.03

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3. Which charging station you use

Costs can range significantly depending on the charging station you use. As noted above, there are free charging stations that some businesses make available to customers.

The cost to charge at a Tesla charging station is typically about $0.25/kWh, meaning a full recharge to 250 miles would cost about $22.

At other stations, charging costs can be as much as $0.50/kWh.

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4. When you charge

When you charge also has an effect on the costs, since electricity costs tend to fall at night.

However, the exact amount you'll pay to charge your car when electricity demand is lower at night will depend on your local utility. Some utilities have special low rates for nighttime consumption, so check with your power company to see if you can save money by charging at night.

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Annual cost to charge a Tesla.
Model	Annual cost
Model S	$653.76
Model 3	$599.04
Model X	$777.96
Model Y	$653.76
Cybertruck	$1,090.08

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Cost of charging a Tesla vs. gas savings.
Model	Charging costs	Estimated gas savings
Model S	$54.48	$151.96
Model 3	$49.92	$119.66
Model X	$64.83	$151
Model Y	$54.48	$135.44
Cybertruck	$90.84	$107.16

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Tesla charging costs: FAQs

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About the Author

Jeremy Bowman has been a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst, covering technology, consumer goods, and macroeconomic trends since 2011. Before The Motley Fool, Jeremy was a newspaper reporter, restaurant manager, and English teacher abroad. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Colorado College and a master’s degree in business administration from American University. One of his Motley Fool headlines was briefly featured on Late Night with Stephen Colbert.

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Jeremy Bowman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Tesla. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Tesla?