Gas vs Electric · Real running cost
Tesla Model Y: charging cost vs gas
We've set the Tesla Model Y as your EV below. Pick the gas car you'd compare against, set your prices and miles, and see the real cost difference — and the break-even.
When you come out ahead
Showing cumulative fuel savings. Add the two cars' prices in the controls to plot your exact break-even point.
Carvana, insurance, financing & charger links are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you.
The Model Y is the best-selling EV for a reason: SUV space with efficiency (~3.5 mi/kWh) that a gas crossover can't touch on running cost. Against a 27-mpg gas SUV, the per-mile fuel cost is dramatically lower, especially charging at home.
It's heavier and a touch less efficient than the Model 3, but it still leaves a comparable gas SUV far behind at the pump. The question is the price premium versus how much you drive.
What to keep in mind
- Efficient for an SUV (~3.5 mi/kWh) — far cheaper per mile than a gas crossover.
- Family-size, so the annual mileage is often high — which maximizes the savings.
- Home charging is where the math wins; lean on public DC charging and it narrows.
Tesla Model Y: common questions
How much does it cost to charge a Tesla Model Y?
At the U.S. average home electricity price of about 17¢/kWh and roughly 3.5 mi/kWh, a Tesla Model Y costs about 5¢ per mile to charge at home — around $583 a year at 12,000 miles. Public DC fast-charging costs more, so set your home/public mix in the calculator.
Is a Tesla Model Y cheaper to run than a gas car?
Charging at home, usually yes. Against a typical 27-mpg gas crossover, the Tesla Model Y's per-mile fuel cost is much lower — the calculator shows your annual fuel saving and how long the price difference takes to pay back.