If you’re looking for a car that will help you save on fuel costs and overall repair and maintenance costs, then Tesla might be the car for you. But is driving a Tesla really cheaper than driving a gas car?
Of course, Yes! A Tesla is cheaper than a gas car to drive and maintain. The initial cost of buying a Tesla may be high when compared to other electric cars, but you will end up saving a lot. Tesla are also more expensive than gas cars, but you can end up saving in the long-run.
Is it cheaper to charge a Tesla or fuel a gas car?
Charging a Tesla is way cheaper than fueling a gas car. The cost is even cheaper when you charge your Tesla from home, rather than at a supercharging station. Of course, the cost varies from one Tesla model to another. So, it’s important to compare different Tesla models and know the cost of charging.
According to the University of Michigan, the average cost to operate an ICE (internal combustion engine) car is around $1,120 per year. On the contrary, the average cost of running an EV is around $500 per year. In their study, they found out that it’s even cheaper to operate an EV in states like Hawaii that have high average electricity prices.
If you want to have an even lower cost when it comes to charging your EV, you can use solar panels instead of the grid. The cost of installing a solar panel system is quite expensive, but you will end up saving in the long-term.
How much does it cost to charge different Tesla models?
The cost of charging your Tesla depends on the model that you have and how you use your vehicle. Here is the cost of charging different Tesla models:
Tesla Model S
At the moment, Tesla Model S comes in three different models, which include Long Range, Plaid, and Plaid+. All of these Tesla models feature a 100 kWh battery.
If you have the Long Range model, which comes with an exceptional range of 412 miles, it will cost you around $15.29 for a full charge. This is based on electricity prices of $0.13 per kWh and 85% charging efficiency.
So, you get a charge cost of $0.037 per mile or $3.70 per 100 miles. This is way cheaper compared to gas that currently costs around $2.40 per gallon. Note that a new Tesla Model S Long Range variant starts at $81,290.
Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model three has three different variants. These are the Standard Range Model 3, the Long Range Model 3, and the Performance Model 3. The Standard Range variant comes with a 50 kWh battery and 263 miles of range, while the long-range and performance variants have an 82 kWh battery.
Additionally, these two variants differ in range as the Long Range variant can cover 353 miles, while the Performance variant delivers 315 miles.
If you pick the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range, expect to pay around $7.65 to fully charge the battery. But if you choose either the Long Range or Performance variants, you will pay around $12.54 for a full charge.
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For the Standard Range variant, the cost per mile will be about $0.03 or $2.91 per 100 miles. While the cost for the Long Range variant will be approximately $0.036 per mile and $0.04 for the Tesla Model 3 Performance variant. The Tesla Model 3 has a starting cost of around $35,000.
Tesla Model Y
Despite being new in the market, the Tesla Y will also save you some cash. Like the Model 3, the Tesla Model Y also has three variants. They include Standard Range, Long Range, and Performance variants. All of these variants feature a 75 kWh battery.
The cost of fully charging the Tesla Model Y Standard Range is around $11.47. This translates to around $0.047 per mile or $4.70 per 100 miles. It’s still way cheaper than using gas. Note that Tesla Model Y is one of the cheapest vehicles in its class. Thanks to its starting price of around $42,000.
The initial cost of a Tesla vs. a gas-powered vehicle
The truth is that buying a Tesla is quite expensive compared to a gas-powered car in the same range. In addition to its base price, Tesla also has add-ons that may throw the price off the charts. For instance, you will have to pay for a Tesla Model S 85D for $85,000.
However, if you want add-ons to make your car look glamorous and sporty, you will have to purchase things like smart air suspensions, autopilot, executive rear seats, a subzero weather package, and an upgraded sound system. Most of these add-ons have a starting price of $2,500.
When it comes to their initial price, most normal gas cars are much more affordable than a Tesla.
FAQ
Are Tesla cheaper to maintain than gas vehicles?
Yes, they are. Tesla are cheaper to maintain as they come with fewer moving parts than gas-powered vehicles. As a result, you won’t spend a lot of time at the mechanic fixing oil filters, catalytic convertors, or similar parts.
The only challenge that Tesla owners may encounter is dealing with quality parts. Nonetheless, these parts are easy to fix and most of them are covered under warranty. So, you won’t have to spend much to repair or maintain your Tesla EV.
Is Tesla better than gas?
Tesla is better than gas in many ways. First of all, you won’t have to worry about lining up at the gas station to refuel your car. You can easily charge your car at night in the convenience of your own garage or driveway. Also, Tesla vehicles don’t often have costly repairs and maintenance that are common with gas vehicles.
How long does it take to charge a Tesla?
It depends on the model of your Tesla and the type of charger you are using. Tesla superchargers are the best and can charge in less than 40 minutes. However, if you use normal chargers at home, you may end up waiting between six and twelve hours for your car to fully charge.
Summary
Overall, a Tesla is cheaper to drive than a gas-powered vehicle. Tesla and other electric vehicles are proving to be the cars of the future. This is because they are suitable for daily driving and have lower running and maintenance costs compared to ICE vehicles.
Tesla may have a high initial cost, but owning this car over the years is pretty cheap when compared to luxurious gas-powered vehicles like Mercedes, BMW, or Audi. You don’t need to pay constant visits to a filling station or garage. Also, maintaining them is pretty cheap.
