Here’s What It Costs Monthly To Charge a Tesla vs. a Kia EV6
Written by
Heather Altamirano
Edited by
Rebekah Evans
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When shopping for an electric vehicle (EV), the Kia EV6 and Tesla Model 3 are both strong options. Each offers solid performance, modern tech and reliability — but they differ in monthly charging costs. Knowing the price difference before you buy can help you plan your budget and make a smarter EV choice. Here’s a closer look at how the two models compare when it comes to charging.
Average Driving and Electricity Costs in the US
As with gas cars, efficiency is key for EVs. The less energy you use, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), the less you pay. To compare monthly charging costs between the Tesla Model 3 and the Kia EV6, two factors matter most for U.S. drivers: how far people typically drive and how much they pay for electricity at home.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the average person drives about 1,000 miles per month. The other important thing to note is the residential electricity rate, which is around 17 cents per kilowatt-hour, based on EnergySage data.
Efficient EVs typically cost between 4 and 13 cents per mile to charge at home. With that in mind, here’s a breakdown of how much the Tesla Model 3 and the Kia EV6 will roughly cost every month to charge up.
Tesla Model 3 Monthly Charging Costs
The Tesla Model 3 is one of the most energy-efficient EVs on the road. It uses about 25 kWh per 100 miles, according to EnergyStar.
At 1,000 miles per month, that equals roughly 250 kWh of electricity. At 17 cents per kWh, the estimated cost is around $42 to $45 per month when charging at home.
“For most drivers, the Tesla Model 3 uses about 250 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month, which is among the lowest in its class,” said Rob Dillan, automotive expert and founder of EVhype.
Kia EV6 Monthly Charging Cost
The Kia EV6 is slightly less energy-efficient than the Tesla Model 3, largely because of its larger size and it eats up about 29 to 32 kWh per 100 miles, depending on the trim, per EnergyStar.
“That is a monthly cost of $48 to $50 per month,” Dillan said.
Home Charging vs. Public Fast Charging
Where you charge makes a big difference in costs. Charging at home is almost always cheaper.
“It’s more expensive to charge at the average public fast charging station than to charge at home because the rates are not the same — on-the-road charging stations charge considerably more than residential prices,” Dillan explained.
For most U.S. drivers charging at home, the Tesla Model 3 is less expensive by a few bucks.
- Tesla Model 3: approximately $42 to $45 per month
- Kia EV6: approximately $48 to $50 per month
Both EVs are affordable to charge, but the Tesla Model 3’s efficiency gives it a slight cost advantage, which can add up over time.
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