What Is the Cheapest Tesla Model To Charge?
Written by
Nicholas Morine
Edited by
Cory Dudak
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Tesla owners often cite the reduced price of fueling up — or in their case, charging up — as a major plus compared to ownership of a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE)-powered vehicle.
But with a significant model lineup on offer from the world’s leading EV automaker having been introduced over the years, one common question emerges: Just how much does it cost, on average, to charge each Tesla model — whether at home or at a charging station?
What Is the Cheapest Tesla Model To Charge?
The math is fairly straightforward when it comes to the cost of bringing one’s Tesla to a full charge, given that this hinges almost entirely upon the capacity of the battery installed.
To break it down further, based on 2025 data compiled by SolarReviews:
- The Model Y Performance, Model Y Long Range AWD, Model Y Long Range RWD, and Model Y Launch Series Long Range AWD all share a battery with a capacity of 75 kWh.
- The Model 3 Performance, Model 3 Long Range AWD, and Model 3 Long Range RWD have a battery capacity of 82 kWh.
- The Model X, Model X Plaid, Model S, and Model S Plaid have a somewhat larger battery capacity of 100 kWh.
- Finally, Tesla’s Cybertruck boasts the largest battery capacity, at 123 kWh.
Simply put, the models with larger battery sizes — particularly the Cybertruck — will require more energy to reach full charge, meaning that doing so will be more expensive. The converse is true for the Model Y range, which is the cheapest to charge.
How Much Does it Cost To Charge a Tesla at Home?
Based on an assumed 90% charging efficiency and the average U.S. electric rate, the Model Y range costs around $10.98 to charge, the Model 3 lineup around $12, the Model X and Model S range around $14.63, and the Cybertruck around $18.
How Much Does It Cost To Charge a Tesla at a Charging Station?
In full understanding that prices may vary between Supercharger stations, the Cybertruck could cost anywhere from $29.22 to $70.12 to fully charge, the Model X and Model S products between $23.75 and $57, the Model 3 lineup between $19.48 and $46.74, and the Model Y range from $17.81 to $42.75.
Cheapest States To Charge a Tesla vs. the Most Expensive
Finally, it should be noted that average electricity rates vary greatly from state to state. It will cost the typical Tesla owner between $6.70 and $10.99 to charge their vehicle to full capacity in North Dakota, for example, versus a potential outlay of between $20.40 to $33.45 in California — a significant difference.
North Dakota, Idaho, Louisiana and Missouri come in as states wherein it costs the least to reach a full charge, whereas California, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Maine were pegged as the states where doing so would be substantially more expensive.
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