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The short answer: charging a 2024+ Model 3 Highland at home costs about $4.90 per 100 miles for the RWD and $5.30 per 100 miles for the AWD at the US average electricity rate of about 18¢/kWh. Drive 1,000 miles a month and that’s roughly $49–$53. In a high-rate state like ours in New York, at about 30¢/kWh all-in, it’s closer to $80–$87 a month. Plug in your own numbers with our Tesla charging cost calculator.
How we worked it out
Cost to charge comes down to two numbers: how much energy the car uses per mile, and what you pay per kilowatt-hour (kWh). For energy use we start from the EPA rating for each Model 3 trim and add about 10% for real-world driving, since cold weather and highway speeds use more than the lab test. That works out to about 0.27 kWh per mile for the Model 3 RWD and 0.29 kWh per mile for the AWD.
Multiply that by your electricity rate and you have your cost per mile. Your rate is on your utility bill; use the all-in number (supply plus delivery), not just the supply charge.
Model 3 home charging cost by electricity rate
| Electricity rate | Model 3 RWD, per 100 miles | Model 3 AWD, per 100 miles | RWD, 1,000 miles a month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12¢/kWh (low-cost states) | $3.20 | $3.48 | $32 |
| 18¢/kWh (US average) | $4.89 | $5.31 | $49 |
| 25¢/kWh | $6.68 | $7.25 | $67 |
| 30¢/kWh (what we pay in New York) | $8.01 | $8.70 | $80 |
| 40¢/kWh (California and other high-rate areas) | $10.68 | $11.60 | $107 |
Many utilities offer cheaper overnight rates for EV owners. If yours does, schedule charging for those hours in the Tesla app and your real cost can land well below these numbers.
Home vs. Supercharger
Supercharger prices vary by location and time of day, but at around 45¢/kWh a Model 3 RWD costs about $12 per 100 miles, roughly two and a half times the US-average home rate. That’s why most owners charge at home and save Superchargers for road trips. Check the current price for any station on your car’s map before you go.
Home vs. gas
Gas has been expensive this fall. AAA’s national average for regular was about $4.27 a gallon in late October 2026, and New York’s statewide average was about $4.40. At those prices, a 30 mpg gas car costs about $14.20 per 100 miles nationally and about $14.70 in New York.
| Per 1,000 miles a month | US average | New York (our rates) |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mpg gas car | about $142 (gas at $4.27) | about $147 (gas at $4.40) |
| Model 3 RWD, charged at home | about $49 (18¢/kWh) | about $80 (30¢/kWh) |
| Model 3 AWD, charged at home | about $53 (18¢/kWh) | about $87 (30¢/kWh) |
At the US-average electricity rate, a Model 3 costs roughly a third as much as gas to drive. Even at our higher New York rate, charging at home saves about $60 a month over 1,000 miles. Gas and electricity prices both move, so check AAA’s current gas prices and run your own numbers in our charging cost calculator.
Level 1 vs. Level 2 doesn’t change the price much
Charging from a regular wall outlet (Level 1) or a 240-volt charger (Level 2) costs about the same per kWh; Level 2 is just much faster. We use a ChargePoint Home Flex at home with the J1772 adapter that came with our car. See our home charging setup guide for chargers and install costs.
Thinking about buying a Tesla?
Tesla’s current referral offer: a free month of Full Self-Driving (Supervised) when you use our referral link. It works for new buyers and for eligible current Tesla owners. Offers change, so check the current terms on Tesla’s page.
Disclosure: we also receive a referral credit if you use it.
Charging on a regular wall outlet is slow; a Level 2 charger is what makes home charging easy. See our Level 2 home charger guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to fully charge a Tesla Model 3?
It depends on battery size and your rate, but at the US average of about 18¢/kWh, adding 250 miles of range to a Model 3 RWD costs roughly $12 at home. At 30¢/kWh it’s about $20.
Is it cheaper to charge a Model 3 at night?
Only if your utility has a time-of-use or EV rate. Many do, and the overnight price can be a fraction of the daytime rate. Check your utility’s website for an EV plan.
Does cold weather raise the cost?
Yes. The car uses more energy in winter for heating and battery warming, so cost per mile goes up. Preconditioning while plugged in helps.
