Tesla Model S: cost to run
Electric (EV) · Car · All-Wheel Drive · EPA model year 2026
The Tesla Model S (2026) is rated at 124 MPGe by the EPA and costs about $600 a year in electricity (EPA estimate, 15,000 mi/yr). That is roughly 5¢ per mile at June 2026 EIA prices, or $48 to drive 1,000 miles. It has an EPA range of 410 miles and no tailpipe emissions. OwnRate's transparent 5-year cost-to-own estimate is about $31,450. It ranks #3 of 70 models for lowest running cost.
Source: EPA / DOE FuelEconomy.gov vehicle data. Data as of June 2026.
Tesla Model S key figures
| Metric | Tesla Model S |
|---|---|
| Powertrain | Electric (EV) |
| Model year (latest EPA data) | 2026 |
| Body / class | Car (Large Cars) |
| Combined efficiency (EPA MPGe) | 124 MPGe |
| Electricity use | 27.1 kWh / 100 mi |
| EPA electric range | 410 miles |
| EPA estimated annual fuel cost | $600 / year |
| Estimated 5-year fuel cost (EPA basis) | $3,000 |
| Cost to drive 1,000 miles (at EIA prices) | $48 |
| Cost per mile (at EIA prices) | 5¢ |
| Tailpipe CO2 | 0 g/mi (no tailpipe) |
| Cheapest-to-run rank (1 = lowest of 70) | #3 |
Source: EPA / DOE FuelEconomy.gov vehicle data (2023–2027 model years); EIA prices (June 2026). Data as of June 2026.
Sources: EPA/DOE FuelEconomy.gov · EIA gasoline · EIA electricity. EPA fuel cost assumes 15,000 mi/yr. Verify before relying on it.
What it costs to run the Tesla Model S
The EPA's estimated annual fuel cost for the Tesla Model S is $600, which is what appears on the window sticker. Using June 2026 EIA national-average prices ($3.40/gal for gasoline and $0.18/kWh for electricity) and 15,000 miles a year, OwnRate estimates about $715 a year, or roughly 5¢ per mile. Because it runs on electricity, the cost depends heavily on your local kWh price — cheap overnight rates can cut it sharply, while public DC fast-charging can cost much more.
Estimated 5-year cost to own the Tesla Model S
Running cost is only part of ownership. Below is OwnRate's transparent 5-year estimate. The fuel/energy line uses the EPA's published annual fuel cost ($600 × 5). The maintenance, insurance and depreciation lines are documented assumptions by body type and powertrain — not model-specific quotes — so treat the total as a ballpark, not a price. See the methodology for the exact assumptions.
| Cost line (5 years) | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Fuel / energy (EPA 5-yr) | $3,000 |
| Maintenance & repairs (est.) | $2,700 |
| Insurance (est.) | $8,250 |
| Depreciation (est.) | $17,500 |
| Estimated 5-year cost to own | $31,450 |
Source: EPA fuel cost + OwnRate documented ownership assumptions. Data as of June 2026.
Estimate only. Depreciation, insurance and maintenance vary widely by trim, location, driver and market. Use the cost-to-own calculator to adjust the inputs.
Similar vehicles by running cost
The Tesla Model S compared with peers in the same category, nearest on EPA annual fuel cost:
| Vehicle | Type | Efficiency | EPA fuel / yr | ¢/mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model S (this vehicle) | Electric (EV) | 124 MPGe | $600 | 5¢ |
| Hyundai Ioniq 6 | Electric (EV) | 121 MPGe | $650 | 5¢ |
| Tesla Model 3 | Electric (EV) | 137 MPGe | $550 | 4¢ |
| BMW i4 | Electric (EV) | 108 MPGe | $700 | 6¢ |
| Hyundai Elantra Hybrid | Hybrid | 54 MPG | $1,150 | 6¢ |
| Toyota Prius (hybrid) | Hybrid | 54 MPG | $1,150 | 6¢ |
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Tesla Model S cost to run per year?
The EPA estimates the Tesla Model S (2026) costs about $600 per year in electricity, based on 15,000 miles a year at the EPA's reference prices. At June 2026 EIA prices, OwnRate's own estimate is roughly $715 per year, or about 5¢ per mile. It ranks #3 of 70 models tracked for lowest running cost. Estimate — verify on FuelEconomy.gov.
What is the Tesla Model S's range and efficiency?
The Tesla Model S has an EPA combined rating of 124 MPGe, uses about 27.1 kWh per 100 miles, and has an EPA all-electric range of 410 miles. That makes it #3 of 19 by MPGe among EVs.
How much does it cost to drive the Tesla Model S 1,000 miles?
At June 2026 EIA average prices ($3.40/gal gasoline, $0.18/kWh electricity), driving the Tesla Model S 1,000 miles costs about $48 in electricity — roughly 5¢ per mile. Use the fuel-cost calculator to plug in your own price and mileage.
What is the 5-year cost to own a Tesla Model S?
OwnRate estimates the Tesla Model S at about $31,450 over 5 years: $3,000 fuel/energy (EPA basis), plus illustrative $2,700 maintenance, $8,250 insurance and $17,500 depreciation. Only the fuel figure is EPA data; the rest are documented assumptions, not model-specific quotes — see the methodology.
Keep exploring
Sources & accuracy
Fuel economy, EPA annual fuel cost, electric range and CO2: EPA/DOE FuelEconomy.gov (US public domain, 2023–2027 model years). Fuel prices: EIA (June 2026). The 5-year cost-to-own combines the EPA fuel cost with OwnRate's documented ownership assumptions (see methodology) and is an estimate only — not financial advice. Verify with the primary sources and a dealer before buying.
Last updated: 2026-06-20