Key numbers
- $12.62: Model Y Long Range, 10% to 90% at home at the US average 18.2¢/kWh
- $28.08: the same 62.4 kWh at a 45¢/kWh Supercharger
- 5.6¢ per mile home charging cost for the Model Y preset
- 134 MPGe: EPA combined rating of the 2026 Model Y Long Range RWD (fueleconomy.gov)
On this page
How to use the Tesla Charging Calculator
- 1Enter your numbersFill in tesla model, custom battery (kWh), custom efficiency (mi/kWh), charge from (%), charge to (%), home electricity price (¢/kWh), charging efficiency (%) and compare: supercharger price (¢/kWh). Every field starts with a typical value you can overwrite.
- 2Check the assumptionsBattery sizes and efficiencies are approximate and vary by year and trim. Supercharger prices vary by site and time of day; check the Tesla app.
- 3Read the resultsThe calculator shows home charge 10% → 90%, same charge at a supercharger, full charge 0–100% at home, range added, cost per mile at home and energy from the wall, and updates as you type.
- 4Use the resultCompare it with your bill, a quote or a product spec sheet before you buy or install anything.
Results update as you type. Back to the calculator ↑
This Tesla charging calculator compares the two places most owners charge: home and the Supercharger network. Pick a model, set your charge window and electricity price, and it shows the session cost at home, the same session at a Supercharger, a full 0–100% charge and your cost per mile. For any other electric car, use the general EV charging cost calculator.
How the Tesla charging cost is calculated
The calculator uses the same energy chain for every model:
- Energy added = usable battery (kWh) × (charge to % − charge from %) ÷ 100
- Home energy from the wall = energy added ÷ charging efficiency
- Home cost = wall energy × home price per kWh
- Supercharger cost = energy added × Supercharger price (billed at delivery, so no home losses)
- Range added = energy added × miles per kWh
Worked example with the default values
The default is a Model Y Long Range preset (about 78 kWh usable, 3.6 mi/kWh), charged from 10% to 90% at 18.2¢/kWh with 90% efficiency:
- Energy added: 78 × 80 ÷ 100 = 62.4 kWh
- From the wall: 62.4 ÷ 0.90 = 69.3 kWh
- Home cost: 69.33 × $0.182 = $12.62
- Supercharger at 45¢/kWh: 62.4 × $0.45 = $28.08
- Full 0–100% at home: 78 ÷ 0.90 × $0.182 = $15.77
- Range added: 62.4 × 3.6 = 225 miles, so home charging costs 5.6¢ per mile
The 18.2¢ default is the US average residential price (EIA Electric Power Monthly, 18.16¢ for August 2026).
Tesla charging cost by model
All rows: 10% to 90%, home at 18.2¢/kWh with 90% efficiency, Supercharger at 45¢/kWh. Battery and efficiency values are the calculator’s approximate presets.
| Model (preset) | Usable kWh | Energy added | Home cost | Supercharger cost | Range added | Home ¢/mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model 3 RWD | 57.5 | 46.0 kWh | $9.30 | $20.70 | 184 mi | 5.1¢ |
| Model 3 Long Range | 78 | 62.4 kWh | $12.62 | $28.08 | 243 mi | 5.2¢ |
| Model Y Long Range | 78 | 62.4 kWh | $12.62 | $28.08 | 225 mi | 5.6¢ |
| Model S | 95 | 76.0 kWh | $15.37 | $34.20 | 266 mi | 5.8¢ |
| Model X | 95 | 76.0 kWh | $15.37 | $34.20 | 236 mi | 6.5¢ |
| Cybertruck AWD | 123 | 98.4 kWh | $19.90 | $44.28 | 246 mi | 8.1¢ |
For context, fueleconomy.gov lists 2026 Model 3 and Model Y versions between 127 and 139 MPGe combined, which puts them among the most efficient vehicles sold in the US.
Tesla charging cost vs gas
At home, the default Model Y preset costs about 5.6¢ per mile, roughly a third of a 28 mpg gas car’s 15.3¢ per mile at $4.28 a gallon (EIA, week of October 19, 2026). At a 45¢/kWh Supercharger the same car costs about 12.5¢ per mile, still a little cheaper than gas. For a monthly EV-vs-gas comparison with your own mpg and gas price, use the EV charging cost calculator, which has gas-car fields.
| Per 1,000 miles | Model Y preset, home (18.2¢) | Model Y preset, Supercharger (45¢) | 28 mpg gas car ($4.28/gal) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | 309 kWh from the wall | 278 kWh delivered | 35.7 gal |
| Cost | $56.17 | $125.00 | $152.86 |
What affects your Tesla charging cost
- Supercharger pricing. Prices vary by site, state and time of day, and peak pricing can add a surcharge. A 2026 price tracker shows state average peak prices mostly in the 50–65¢/kWh range, with California higher. Always check the Tesla app before you plug in.
- Your home rate. Use the all-in rate from your bill; the cost per kWh calculator helps. Time-of-use plans often make overnight charging much cheaper than the average.
- Charging efficiency. Level 2 charging with a Wall Connector usually delivers roughly 85–95% of wall energy to the battery (Recurrent); see DOE AFDC for Level 1 vs Level 2. A 120 V Mobile Connector is slower, and in cold weather battery heating takes a bigger share.
- Model year and trim. Battery chemistry and capacity change between years. If you know your pack size, choose “Custom”.
- Driving style. Speed, wheel size, cabin heat and towing all change miles per kWh.
Charging on sunshine
History of the Supercharger network
Tesla unveiled the Supercharger network on 24 September 2012, as the Model S entered production, with six stations in California (Tesla Supercharger). The aim was fast DC charging along busy highway corridors so long trips were practical. Early Model S buyers could get free Supercharging; today most sessions are paid, which is why this calculator prices Supercharger energy per kWh delivered. Tesla has since opened much of the network and its connector design to other brands in North America, so the Supercharger price you enter here increasingly applies to non-Tesla EVs too.
| Year | Milestone | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | First six Superchargers open in California (24 September) | Tesla |
References
- SAE International. J1772: SAE Electric Vehicle and Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Conductive Charge Coupler (2024 revision). sae.org
- U.S. Department of Energy, Alternative Fuels Data Center. Charging Electric Vehicles at Home. afdc.energy.gov
Tax credits
The federal §30D new clean vehicle credit ended for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025. This calculator covers energy costs only.
For a deeper breakdown with state electricity prices and charging habits, read our guide to the cost to charge a Tesla, or compare across all brands in how much it costs to charge an electric car. To price other home loads, try the electricity cost calculator.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to charge a Tesla at home?
At the US average residential price of about 18.2 cents per kWh, a Model Y Long Range charged from 10% to 90% costs about $12.62, and a full 0 to 100% charge about $15.77, assuming 90% charging efficiency. A Model 3 RWD costs about $9.30 for the same 10 to 90% window.
How much does a Tesla Supercharger cost per kWh?
Supercharger prices vary by station, state and time of day. Recent US reports put most sessions roughly between 30 and 60 cents per kWh, with peak prices in California above that. The calculator defaults to 45 cents; check the exact rate for a station in the Tesla app before you go.
Why is the Supercharger cost calculated without charging losses?
Superchargers bill for the energy delivered to the car, so losses inside the charger are not on your bill. At home, your meter records everything the wall connector draws, including onboard charger and battery conditioning losses, so the calculator divides home energy by your charging efficiency.
How much charge does a Tesla battery hold?
Usable capacity runs from roughly 57.5 kWh in a Model 3 RWD to about 123 kWh in a Cybertruck AWD, with the Model Y Long Range around 78 kWh. These are the calculator's approximate usable capacities, not official figures. Tesla does not publish official usable kWh for every trim, and figures change with model year and battery supplier. If you know your car's capacity or real efficiency, choose the custom option and enter both values.
How many miles do I get per kWh in a Tesla?
Recent Model 3 and Model Y versions are among the most efficient EVs, with EPA ratings around 127 to 139 MPGe, roughly 3.7 to 4.1 miles per kWh at the wall. Real driving in cold weather or at highway speeds is lower. The presets use slightly conservative values.
How long does it take to charge a Tesla at home?
The US Department of Energy estimates Level 2 charging at 240 volts adds about 25 miles of range per hour and Level 1 at 120 volts about 5 miles per hour. The default 10 to 90 percent Model Y session adds about 225 miles, so roughly 9 hours on Level 2, which fits an overnight charge.
Is there a tax credit for buying a Tesla?
The federal 30D new clean vehicle credit ended for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025, so a new Tesla bought today does not qualify for it. Some states and utilities offer their own incentives or EV charging rates; check before you buy.
8 Sources
- EIA, Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (August 2026 data)
- fueleconomy.gov, Top Ten most efficient vehicles (2026 models)
- DCFC Tracker, Supercharger price report (2026)
- Recurrent, Why doesn't your battery get all the energy you pay for?
- Tesla, Tesla Motors unveils revolutionary Supercharger network (2012)
- Wikipedia, Tesla Supercharger (history)
- EIA, Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update (week of Oct 19, 2026)
- DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center, Charging electric vehicles at home
Last updated October 25, 2026. Part of our renewable energy toolkit. Found an error? Tell us.