Here’s What It Costs To Charge a Tesla Monthly vs. a Honda Civic Hybrid
Written by
Nicholas Morine
Edited by
Levi Leidy
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While many cost comparisons involving the emerging electric vehicle (EV) segment versus traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles focus on disparities between the pure EV lineup versus fully ICE-driven models, the middle space — hybrid rides — is often overlooked.
And with the Honda Civic Hybrid being one of the most popular hybrid vehicles in the U.S. market, it makes sense to consider presenting its impressive 49 miles per gallon (mpg) combined in a cost comparison across from the most common EVs on American roads — the Tesla Model 3 (technically, the LR AWD model) and Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD.
Setting the ground rules for the comparison: fuel efficiencies for the Tesla Model 3, Model Y LR AWD and Honda Civic Hybrid are all drawn from reputable sources — the Department of Energy for the Civic, and Edmunds for the two Tesla models — with the average U.S. price of electricity being pegged at 17.47 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), and the average U.S. price of regular gasoline at $3.192 per gallon, for the week ending Sept. 8. A 10% or so loss of electricity through the charging process (with a Level 2 home AC charger) is also accounted for.
With that said, here’s a look at whether it’s cheaper to charge a Tesla model every month or the Honda Civic Hybrid.
Tesla Model 3 and Model Y LR AWD Still Cost Less To Drive Than the Honda Civic Hybrid
Cutting to the chase, the numbers indicate that it still costs less to charge and drive either the Tesla Model 3, or Tesla Model Y LR AWD, than to gas up the Honda Civic Hybrid.
The base Tesla Model 3 costs an average of $43.67 to charge, assuming a monthly driving limit of 1,000 miles. Meanwhile, the Tesla Model Y LR AWD is a bit pricier to achieve the same distance, coming in at a cost of $47.17. The performance trim of the Model 3 would set you back $54.16 to travel the same 1,000 miles, and the performance trim of the Model Y more still, coming in at $55.90.
On the other hand, despite the Honda Civic Hybrid’s notably economical 49 mpg, driving that same distance would require you to shell out $65.14 monthly in gas money. While the car uses regenerative braking and the gas engine to charge its battery, contributing to its impressive fuel efficiency, it is not a plug-in hybrid and therefore cannot be charged to save on gas costs.
Of course, certain other variables may come into play — colder climates may wreak havoc on EV batteries, skewing the numbers, and if Tesla drivers find themselves frequently charging their vehicles at DC fast-charging stations, the operational cost skyrockets.
As a point of contrast, should Tesla Model 3 LR AWD drivers exclusively use DC chargers to charge their vehicle (at a rate of 45 cents per kWh), driving 1,000 miles would cost about $112.50. That number shoots up to around $121.50 for the Model Y LR AWD.
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