The Simple Formula
Charging cost comes down to one equation: consumption (kWh/100km) × electricity price ($/kWh) ÷ 100 = cost per km. The Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD consumes approximately 14.9 kWh per 100km in mixed driving (city and highway average). At a home electricity rate of $0.15/kWh, that's $0.0224 per km — roughly 2.2 cents.
That figure sounds tiny. Multiply it out over a year of 18,000 km and you get around $400 in annual charging costs — compared to $1,800–2,400 for a comparable petrol car. The economics of EVs become very clear very quickly.
Key insight: All figures below use the Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD (82 kWh, 14.9 kWh/100km mixed). Results vary by model variant, driving style, temperature and route type.
Cost Per Kilometer at Different Electricity Prices
| Electricity price | Cost per km | Cost per mile | 10→90% fill |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.10 / kWh | $0.015 / km | $0.024 / mi | $6.56 |
| $0.15 / kWh (US avg) | $0.022 / km | $0.036 / mi | $9.84 |
| $0.20 / kWh | $0.030 / km | $0.048 / mi | $13.12 |
| $0.30 / kWh (EU avg) | $0.045 / km | $0.072 / mi | $19.68 |
| $0.40 / kWh (UK) | $0.060 / km | $0.096 / mi | $26.24 |
| $0.50 / kWh (Supercharger) | $0.075 / km | $0.120 / mi | $32.80 |
Monthly and Annual Costs
Using US average home electricity at $0.15/kWh and 50 km of daily driving:
| Period | Distance | Cost at $0.15 | Cost at $0.30 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily | 50 km | $1.12 | $2.25 |
| Weekly | 350 km | $7.84 | $15.73 |
| Monthly | 1,520 km | $34 | $68 |
| Annual | 18,250 km | $410 | $820 |
Home vs Public vs Supercharger Charging
Home charging (Level 2, overnight) is almost always the cheapest option. If your home electricity is $0.15/kWh, the 10→90% fill costs under $10. The downside is time — a 7.2kW home charger needs about 9 hours for a full charge.
Public AC charging varies enormously. Many public chargers in shopping centres and car parks charge between $0.20–$0.35/kWh. Some are free. Check your local network.
Tesla Superchargers are the most convenient for long trips, with 250kW peak power able to add 200km in 15 minutes. But the convenience premium is real — rates typically range from $0.40–$0.55/kWh depending on location. Using Superchargers exclusively would roughly triple your charging cost vs home.
Model 3 Variants Compared
| Variant | Battery | Consumption | Cost/km ($0.15) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model 3 SR+ (LFP) | 60 kWh | ~14.2 kWh/100km | $0.021 |
| Model 3 LR RWD | 82 kWh | 14.9 kWh/100km | $0.022 |
| Model 3 LR AWD | 82 kWh | 16.2 kWh/100km | $0.024 |
| Model 3 Performance | 82 kWh | 17.5 kWh/100km | $0.026 |
Tesla vs Petrol: The Real Comparison
A comparable petrol sedan (BMW 3 Series, Audi A4) averages around 7–8L/100km. At $1.50/L petrol, that's $0.105–$0.12 per km. The Model 3 LR at $0.022/km is approximately 5× cheaper to run per kilometre — even at European electricity prices of $0.30/kWh, the EV still costs $0.045/km vs $0.12+.
Over 150,000 km of ownership, that fuel saving alone amounts to $12,000–15,000 at US rates. The higher purchase price of the EV narrows significantly when you factor in fuel and reduced maintenance costs.