The comparison between operating costs relating to the world’s most popular electric vehicle lineup — namely, the Tesla make — and other internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles is commonplace as many drivers make the switch.
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For those fans of South Korean automaker Hyundai, and the longstanding Sonata model in particular, such a matchup could be useful to discuss.
The following is a general breakdown of what it might cost to charge a Tesla (in the interests of this breakdown, we’ll be studying costs tied to the two most popular Tesla models — the 2024 Model 3 and Model Y Long Range AWD) versus the 2025 Hyundai Sonata SE.
How Much Does It Cost To Charge a Tesla Monthly vs. the 2025 Hyundai Sonata SE?
Assuming baseline average electricity cost of 17.47 cents per kWh as established by the most recent data coming from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, alongside the national average gas price of $3.193 per gallon as of Sept. 10, per per AAA, the following costs can be calculated. A monthly driving distance of 1,000 miles is assumed.
The Tesla Model 3, with a stated mileage of 25 kWh per 100 miles of driving, would cost just over $48 ($48.04, to be precise) to charge on a monthly basis, should you always opt to charge your vehicle at home when opportunity strikes. This also assumes a 10% buffer for electricity lost in the charging process, as AC home charging does not achieve perfect efficiency.
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On the other hand, the Tesla Model Y LR AWD comes in a bit steeper, demanding an electricity bill of $55.73 based on the same metrics, with a listed mileage of 29 kWh for each 100 miles driven.
Finally, the Hyundai Sonata SE, boasting a respectable 32 combined mpg, would total a cost of $99.78 — a hair less than $100 — to drive 1,000 miles each month.
There’s one major caveat, however: If Tesla drivers instead opt to rely heavily on public DC chargers, which cost a whopping 30 to 48 cents per kWh, according to J.D. Power, costs increase significantly over the 17.47 cents (average) for charging at home.
So, Tesla drivers would be wise to consider charging in public only when necessary to cut costs. Sonata owners, for their part, should keep an eye on gas prices at local warehouse clubs in order to keep gas bills down.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How Much It Costs To Charge a Tesla Monthly vs. Gas Up a Hyundai Sonata
