For many prospective buyers, one of the biggest questions about switching to an electric vehicle is how charging costs stack up against filling a gas tank.
Sure, it’s probably cheaper, but by how much?
How much does it take to charge a Tesla?
In a trending video, Tesla Model Y owner Carlos Sancon (@carlossancon), who lives in California, detailed exactly how much it cost to charge his car over the course of 3,000 miles.
“So we just hit 3,000 miles on the odometer there,” Sancon said in the video. “I figured it’d be a great time to show you exactly how much it’s cost me to charge my Model Y.”
The breakdown included charging across multiple sources: 20% at home, 37% at Tesla Superchargers, and 43% at work. While the majority of charging was done at work for free, the driver calculated the costs as if all charging had been paid at the same rate as home charging.
“Now, I am in California, so these numbers might be different wherever you live,” Sancon noted.
The total cost came to $285 for 3,000 miles, averaging about 9 cents per mile. For comparison, the driver explained that a gas-powered car averaging 30 miles per gallon would be paying about twice as much to operate their vehicle with California gas prices.
“Thanks to our awesome, awesome governor, that’s about half as much as what it would cost you in gas,” the driver said. “Honestly, I used to spend that a month on gas, if not more. So, yeah, not bad.”
Which Tesla is the most efficient to charge?
According to Tesla’s website, charging costs vary by model. Based on driving 100 miles per month, the estimated costs are:
- Model 3: $124.49 charge cost, $299.46 gas savings
- Model S: $136.36 charge cost, $379.75 gas savings
- Model X: $161.62 charge cost, $377.94 gas savings
- Model Y: $136.36 charge cost, $338.46 gas savings
The Model 3 is the cheapest to charge, while the larger Model X is the most expensive. The difference adds up: over a year, the Model 3 would cost about $1,494, compared to $1,939 for the Model X.
Factoring in fuel savings makes the case for EVs even stronger. Drivers of the Model 3 save nearly $3,600 a year in gas compared to an equivalent gas-powered car, while Model X owners save about $4,500 annually despite higher charging costs.
No matter which Tesla you choose, charging remains significantly cheaper than filling up with gas—especially in states like California where fuel prices run high.
Commenters React
“i have paid 19$ i have 2800 miles, free at work also,” a top comment read.
“honestly it's actually costing me more having a Tesla but I didn't buy it for the savings. more for the fun factor and a happy wife,” a person said.
“We pay $2.85 a gallon or so in the midwest. Would have thought the electric charging would have been cheaper….charging at work for the win lol,” another chimed in.
InsideEVs reached out to Sancon for comment via TikTok direct message and comment.
