Publication date: 07/10/2024
The people who own Tesla cars have a great experience because this car offers advanced and eco-friendly features. When Tesla owners drive their cars, one question that must come into their mind is “How much does it cost to charge a Tesla?”
The answer to the above question depends on different factors that we will discuss below. So stay with us because we are about to discuss this and much more about Tesla charging costs. We will also explain how you can calculate the charging cost of a Tesla car manually or by using the Tesla charging cost calculator.
What Factors Affect the Tesla Charging Cost?
No doubt calculating the charging cost is very simple but there are some factors that can impact the final amount you will pay:
Electricity Rates: The cost of electricity can vary depending on where you live. Because in some places, the cost of electricity is much cheaper than in other areas. There is also the possibility that some states might have high or low rates during peak hours.
Tesla Model: Each Tesla car has a different battery capacity. For example, a Tesla Model 3 will cost you less to charge as compared to a Model S or Model X because it has a smaller battery.
Charging Type: You can charge your Tesla from 2 options, the first option is charging at your home, and the second one is charging from commercial Superchargers. So charging at home usually costs you less as compared to using a Tesla Supercharger.
Driving Efficiency: Your driving style, the use of air conditioning, and the weather also affect the energy consumption of your car. Because of all of these factors, charging costs could increase or decrease accordingly.
Step-by-Step: How to Calculate Tesla Charging Cost for Long Distances?
Follow the steps mentioned below to calculate the charging cost of your Tesla for a long trip:
1. Know Your Tesla’s Battery Size (in kWh)
First of all, you need to find out what the battery size of your Tesla model is. The battery size is usually measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and it varies from model to model. For example:
Tesla Model 3 Standard Range: 54 kWh
Tesla Model S Long Range: 100 kWh
Tesla Model X Long Range: 100 kWh
This information will help you understand how much electricity your car can hold when it is fully charged.
2. Find Out How Much Energy Your Tesla Consumes (kWh per Mile)
In the second step, you need to calculate the energy your Tesla car consumes per mile. This consumption rate is measured in kWh per mile. For example, a Tesla Model 3 may consume around 0.25 kWh per mile whereas, a Model S may use around 0.3 kWh per mile.
The exact amount of consumption varies and it depends on various factors like speed, terrain, and temperature. You can find the consumption rate of your specific Tesla model either in the manual of your vehicle or on Tesla's official website.
3. Figure Out How Many Miles You Will Travel
Now you know how much energy your Tesla car consumes per mile. So the next step is to find out the total distance you will travel. On long trips, you might need to stop and charge your Tesla multiple times. To help with this, you can also use a route planner to calculate the total distance of your journey. This way, you can plan your charging stops accordingly to avoid any difficulty that might occur later on.
4. Calculate the Total kWh Needed for the Trip
To calculate the total kWh for your trip, multiply the total number of miles you will drive by the energy consumption rate of your Tesla. This will give you the total amount of electricity needed for the journey. Here is the formula:
Total kWh = Miles Traveled × kWh per Mile
For example, if you are driving 500 miles in a Tesla Model 3 and it consumes 0.25 kWh per mile, then:
Total kWh = 500 miles × 0.25 kWh per Mile
Total kWh = 125kWh
5. Check Electricity Costs Per kWh
The next step is you need to find the electricity costs in the specific location where you will charge your car. If you are charging at home, you can check your electricity bill to get an idea for the cost per kWh. And if you are using Tesla Superchargers on the road, then you can consider the cost that usually ranges from $0.25 to $0.35 per kWh.
6. Calculate Charging Cost
The final step is to multiply the total kWh needed for your trip by the cost of electricity per kWh. This will give you the total cost of charging for your journey. As per our above example, if you need 125 kWh and the electricity rate is $0.30 per kWh, then:
125 kWh × 0.30 USD/kWh = 37.50 USD
This means the charging cost for your trip would be $37.50.
Example of Charging Cost Calculation
Let’s go through another example to make this more clear for you:
Car: Tesla Model S Long Range (100 kWh battery)Consumption Rate: 0.3 kWh per mileDistance: 600 milesElectricity Rate: $0.28 per kWh (Supercharger)
Total kWh Required:
To find out how much energy your car will need, multiply the distance by the consumption rate:
600 miles × 0.3 kWh/mile = 180 kWh
Cost of Charging:
Now, to calculate the cost, multiply the total kWh by the electricity rate:
180 kWh × $0.28 per kWh = $50.40
So, for a 600-mile trip in a Tesla Model S, the charging cost would be around $50.40.
Use Tesla Charging Cost Calculator (An Alternative Way to Calculate the Charging Cost)
Instead of doing all the above calculations manually, you can use the online Tesla charging cost calculators. As per our analysis, we find platforms calculator-online.net or costcalculator.xyz as trusted ones that you can use to make the whole calculation process much easier. You just need to enter the details such as the model of your Tesla, the miles you will drive, and the cost of electricity in a specific area. The calculator will then automatically do all the calculations in a few seconds and give you the charging cost estimate for your trip.
How to Use the Tool?
Here is the process for how you can use the tool:
Enter Your Tesla Model: First of all, select the correct model of your Tesla because each Tesla has a different battery size and consumption rate.
Input Your Trip Details: Then, enter the total distance that you have planned to drive.
Add Electricity Costs: After that, enter the electricity rate per kWh based on the area where you will charge your car like charging at home or at Tesla commercial Superchargers.
When you put all the above inputs into the calculator, then the tool will show you the estimated charging cost right away. This way, you can easily plan your trip and skip all the manual calculations that we have done manually.
Comparison of Charging Cost: Home vs. Supercharger
The cost of charging a Tesla depends on where you are and how you charge it. For this purpose, we have included a table below to get an estimate of your charging cost:
Charging Method | Cost per kWh | Full Charge Cost (Tesla Model 3, 54 kWh Battery) |
At Home | $0.13 - $0.15 | $7 - $8 |
Superchargers | $0.25 - $0.35 | $13 - $18 |
People Also Ask!
How often do I need to charge my Tesla on long trips?
It depends on the range of your Tesla and how far you travel. For example, a Tesla Model 3 has a range of about 263 to 353 miles on a full charge. So you need to charge your car accordingly on long trips.
How long does it take to charge a Tesla?
It depends on the charger. A Tesla Supercharger can charge up to 80% in about 30–45 minutes, while home charging may take multiple hours.
Does charging a Tesla at home cost more than gas for a regular car?
Charging a Tesla at home is generally much cheaper than filling up a gas-powered vehicle. The exact savings depend on electricity rates and how much you drive.
How many kWh to charge a Tesla?
The number of kWh needed to charge your Tesla depends on the model and how much charge is needed. For example:
Tesla Model 3: 60 to 82 kWh
Tesla Model S: 75 to 100 kWh
Tesla Model X: 75 to 100 kWh
Tesla Model Y: 75 kWh
If you’re charging from 0% to 100%, you’ll need the full battery capacity (e.g., 75 kWh for a Model 3). But if you're only topping up from 20% to 80%, you’d only use a portion of the battery’s total capacity.
Can I calculate the exact cost for every Tesla model?
Yes, you can use a Tesla Charging Cost Calculator online to estimate charging costs for all Tesla models.
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