How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Tesla Monthly? (2025 Real Numbers & Tips).
If you own a Tesla, or you’re in the market to buy one, one of your first questions is probably: How much does it cost to charge a Tesla monthly?
Electric vehicles are celebrated for being cheaper to run than petrol cars, but the actual numbers depend on a few variables—your Tesla model, electricity rates where you live, and how much you drive.
In 2025, the numbers are more transparent than ever. However, the average monthly charging cost of a Tesla typically falls in the range of $35 to $60, or about 4–6 cents per mile. But as with all things in life, the devil lies in the details. Let’s get it broken down to give you a comprehensive idea of what to expect for your wallet.
Tesla Monthly Charging Cost — The Real Numbers
After years of data collection and real-world usage, there is now widespread consensus regarding what it takes to charge a Tesla. Most owners can expect to pay a modest and predictable sum each month, considering average driving habits of about 1,000 miles and average U.S. electricity rates.
A more thorough look at home charging reveals that a single complete battery session will set you back between $10.98 and $18.00. Put that into a month’s driving, and the cost comes in neatly at the $39 to $57 range for most of the leading models. High-performance Cybertruck, with its much larger battery pack, naturally, is at the higher end of the cost spectrum.
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On average, the charge is said to cost around $15.52, with the exact cost ranging from $10.95 to $18.14 depending on which Tesla model you have exactly. At the U.S. average driving distance of 1,000–1,200 miles per month, that works out to a very affordable $45–$55 per month for your “fuel.”
Why the Differences? Factors That Affect the Cost
So why does one Tesla owner pay $40 a month and another pays $60? The amount on the bottom of your utility bill doesn’t come out of thin air; it’s a product of some very important factors.
- Tesla Model & Battery Size
This is the easiest factor. A Model 3 Standard Range has a smaller battery (in kWh) compared to a Model S Plaid or a Cybertruck. A bigger battery quite simply requires more electricity to fill, which directly equates to a more costly charge. It’s just like a gas tank—a bigger tank costs more to fill up.
- Local Electricity Rates
This is likely the biggest variable. Where you live has a huge impact on your charging costs, simply because of the different utility rates in different places. In Louisiana or Idaho, for instance, electricity might be as little as $0.09 per kWh. In California, though, that same kWh is going to be $0.25–$0.35. That right there can double, or even triple, your monthly charging bill before you’ve driven one extra mile.
- Charging Efficiency
Charging is not a 100% efficient process. During the transfer of energy from your wall socket to your car’s battery, about 10% of the energy is lost, mostly as heat. This is a normal part of how the technology works, and this slight inefficiency is already included in the above cost calculations.
- How Much You Drive
This is simple: the more you drive, the more you’ll need to charge. Someone with a short daily commute that drives 500 miles a month will obviously pay much less than a road warrior who drives 1,500 miles.
- Home vs. Public Charging
Where you charge makes a tremendous amount of difference. Home charging using your home electricity is almost always the cheapest. Public Tesla Superchargers, while very convenient and quick, can be almost twice the per kWh price.
There is some fluctuation based on local rates and your driving style, but these are the big factors that will determine your final monthly price.
Home Charging vs. Supercharging: A Cost Breakdown
Home charging is the lifeblood of most Tesla owners’ EV life. It’s the cheapest and most convenient way to wake up with a “full tank” every morning.
Home Charging:
- Cost per full charge: $10.98–$18.00
- Average monthly cost: $39–$57 (depending on driving habits)
Supercharging, on the other hand, is built for speed and road trips. It’s an amazing piece of infrastructure, but that speed doesn’t come free.
- Cost per full charge: Usually $17–$30, but sometimes as high as $70 for large batteries at peak rates in high-demand areas.
- Impact on monthly cost: Frequent Supercharger use can easily push your monthly bill above $80–$100.
Pro Tip: Use Superchargers for what they were designed for—road trips or emergencies. Home charging is the most economical option for regular driving routines.
How to Lower Your Monthly Charging Bill
Even when your monthly bill is already a fraction of your old gas bill, who doesn’t like additional savings? There are several tried-and-tested methods to minimize the cost even further.
- Charge at Off-Peak Hours
The majority of utility companies have Time-of-Use (TOU) rates, which make electricity much cheaper late at night when there is typically less stress on the grid. It is very easy to set your Tesla to begin charging at 11 p.m. or midnight, which can lower your rate by 30% or more. It is the easiest way of saving money without at all changing your habit.
- Install Solar Panels
If you have the budget and the rooftop space, solar is the ultimate move. Once you pay the initial installation cost, you can essentially reduce your Tesla’s monthly charging cost to virtually zero. The cost of generating your own solar electricity is approximately ~$0.06/kWh, which is half the national grid average cost. You’d be powering your car with sunshine.
3. Use Level 2 Home Charging
A Level 2 home charger (like a Tesla Wall Connector) can charge your Tesla fully overnight. This reliability eliminates any need for expensive “top-ups” at public chargers. It is also more energy-efficient than a standard, slow Level 1 wall outlet setup.
4. Pre-condition While Plugged In
This is a stealthy trick. Operating your vehicle’s heating or cooling system to warm up or cool down the cabin while still plugged in draws power from the grid, instead of your battery. This saves the battery charge for driving, so there will be less necessity for re-charging later.
Is It Really Cheaper Than Gas?
Yes — and not by a long shot. The savings are actual and consistent. Here is a rough comparison for an average driver doing 1,000 miles in a month:
| Vehicle Type | Cost per Mile | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla (home charging) | $0.04–$0.06 | $40–$60 | $480–$720 |
| Gas Car (25 mpg @ $3.50/gal) | $0.14 | $140 | $1,680 |
The ability to drive a Tesla can save the average driver $1,000+ per year in “fuel” savings alone. This does not even begin to factor in the enormous maintenance savings of not having oil changes, spark plugs, or exhaust systems to replace.
How Different Tesla Models Compare
Based on 2025 electricity averages and average driving, here’s what you’ll pay per month for the following models:
- Model 3 Standard Range: $35–$45 per month
- Model Y Long Range: $40–$55 per month
- Model S: $50–$60 per month
- Cybertruck AWD: $55–$70 per month
Remember, these are estimates for home charging. Frequent Supercharger use will add to these amounts.
The Bigger Picture: Cost Stability
Quite possibly the most underappreciated benefit of EV ownership is cost stability. Unlike gasoline, which can see wild price swings based on global events, electricity prices are far more stable and controlled. While rates can change, they do not change wildly day to day. It is thus far easier and more predictable to budget your transportation costs—you won’t be getting many “surprise” charging bills.
Conclusion — Smart Savings for Smart Drivers
If you’ve wondered what it costs to charge a Tesla monthly, the answer in 2025 is straightforward and comforting:
You can expect to pay in the range of $40–$60 a month for most drivers with home charging, and maybe $80–$100 if you’re a heavy user of Superchargers.
Although there are factors like your specific model, local rates, and total driving distance, Tesla owners consistently spend significantly less on “fuel” than their gas-car counterparts. And with smart strategies like off-peak charging or solar power, you can take control and drive the cost down even lower.
Electric driving isn’t only beneficial for the environment — it’s also beneficial for your bank account, every single month.
