How much does it cost to run a Tesla Model 3?
A Tesla Model 3 costs about $1.80 a day, $54.70 a month and $656 a year at typical use (37 miles a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. The Model 3 is one of the most efficient EVs at about 0.24-0.26 kWh per mile from the battery, about 0.27 at the wall.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (120 V) | 1,440 | $1.80 | $54.70 | $656 |
| Level 2 (30 A) | 7,200 | $1.80 | $54.70 | $656 |
| Wall Connector (48 A) | 11,500 | $1.80 | $54.70 | $656 |
At 37 miles a day and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost to run a Tesla Model 3 in every state
The same Tesla Model 3 costs $450 a year in North Dakota and $1,588 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | $37.46 | $450 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | $38.46 | $462 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | $39.10 | $469 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | $39.50 | $474 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | $40.50 | $486 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | $40.62 | $487 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | $40.84 | $490 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | $41.23 | $495 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | $41.66 | $500 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | $42.08 | $505 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | $42.33 | $508 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | $42.42 | $509 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | $42.60 | $511 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | $42.93 | $515 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | $42.97 | $516 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | $43.18 | $518 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | $44.91 | $539 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | $44.91 | $539 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | $45.88 | $551 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | $45.98 | $552 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | $46.58 | $559 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | $46.80 | $562 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | $46.83 | $562 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | $47.07 | $565 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | $47.13 | $566 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | $47.56 | $571 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | $48.53 | $582 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | $49.32 | $592 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | $49.99 | $600 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | $50.11 | $601 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | $50.41 | $605 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | $51.51 | $618 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | $54.09 | $649 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | $55.49 | $666 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | $56.98 | $684 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | $57.13 | $686 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | $62.94 | $755 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | $63.95 | $767 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | $64.01 | $768 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | $72.31 | $868 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | $72.37 | $868 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | $73.59 | $883 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | $81.10 | $973 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | $81.64 | $980 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | $85.11 | $1,021 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | $86.33 | $1,036 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | $89.00 | $1,068 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | $89.12 | $1,069 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | $92.53 | $1,110 |
| California | 32.99¢ | $100 | $1,204 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | $132 | $1,588 |
How to cut the cost
- Use Scheduled Departure to finish charging and precondition right before you leave, on grid power.
- Set the charge limit to 80% for daily use.
- Use Chill mode and keep tires at 42 psi (cold) for best efficiency.
- Turn off Sentry Mode at home; it draws about 250 W, roughly 6 kWh a day.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Charges at up to 11.5 kW with lower losses than a 120 V cord.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 | 7,200 | 37 miles a day | $54.70 | $656 |
| Tesla Model Y | 7,200 | 37 miles a day | $60.78 | $729 |
| Electric car | 7,200 | 37 miles a day | $66.86 | $802 |
| Level 2 EV charging | 7,200 | 37 miles a day | $66.86 | $802 |
| Ford F-150 Lightning | 7,200 | 37 miles a day | $101 | $1,216 |
| Chevy Equinox EV | 7,200 | 37 miles a day | $64.83 | $778 |
| Chevy Bolt | 7,200 | 37 miles a day | $62.81 | $754 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a Tesla Model 3 per hour?
A Tesla Model 3 drawing 7,200 watts uses 7.20 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's $1.30 per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 89¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's $3.13.
How much does it cost to run a Tesla Model 3 per month?
At typical use (37 miles a day), a Tesla Model 3 costs about $54.70 a month and $656 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a Tesla Model 3 use?
Most Tesla Model 3s use 1,440 to 11,500 watts, depending on the setting (level 1 (120 v) 1,440 W, level 2 (30 a) 7,200 W, wall connector (48 a) 11,500 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a Tesla Model 3 use?
About 9.99 kWh a day and 3,649 kWh a year at typical use (37 miles a day).
Does a Tesla Model 3 use a lot of electricity?
Yes. At 3,649 kWh a year it's one of the bigger loads in a home, about 35% of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh a year.
Is it cheaper to run a Tesla Model 3 or a Tesla Model Y?
At typical use, a Tesla Model 3 costs about $656 a year versus $729 for a Tesla Model Y. So the Tesla Model 3 is cheaper by about $73 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a Tesla Model 3?
- Use Scheduled Departure to finish charging and precondition right before you leave, on grid power.
- Set the charge limit to 80% for daily use.
- Use Chill mode and keep tires at 42 psi (cold) for best efficiency.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.