Tesla Model S: energy use, battery size and what it costs to charge

EPA figures for 2024, 2025, 2026 Tesla Model S (3 configurations), plus the cost to charge at home in every U.S. state at May 2026 electricity prices.

The Tesla Model S uses 27.18 kWh per 100 miles. Across the 223 electric cars on sale that figure runs from 23.1 to 66.1, which puts this one among the more efficient.

How much does it cost to charge a Tesla Model S?

At the U.S. average residential price of 19.42¢ per kWh, a Tesla Model S costs about $5.28 per 100 miles, $19.48 for a full charge, and $633 a year at 12,000 miles. The same car costs $428 a year in Nevada and $1,720 in Hawaii — a 4.0× difference driven entirely by where you plug in.

Tesla Model S vs. a petrol car

A typical new gasoline large car returns 29 MPG. At $4.32 a gallon — the U.S. average for the week of 2026-09-14, up 14.3% on the year — that is $14.89 per 100 miles against $5.28 for the Tesla Model S on average-priced electricity. Over 12,000 miles the fuel difference is $1,154 a year in favour of the electric car.

Cost to charge a Tesla Model S in every state

Every Tesla Model S configuration compared

Questions people ask about the Tesla Model S

How many kWh per 100 miles does a Tesla Model S use?

The Tesla Model S uses 27.18 kWh per 100 miles on the EPA combined cycle, which works out to 3.68 miles per kWh. Across all 3 EPA-rated configurations it ranges from 27.18 to 27.63 kWh per 100 miles.

How big is the Tesla Model S battery?

Its usable battery capacity works out to roughly 100.3 kWh. EPA does not publish battery size directly, so this is calculated from EPA range (410 miles) and rated energy use, corrected for charging losses — expect a few kWh of error against the manufacturer figure.

How much does it cost to charge a Tesla Model S at home?

About $19.48 for a full charge at the U.S. average residential electricity price of 19.42¢ per kWh, or $5.28 per 100 miles. Over a year at 12,000 miles that is $633. In Nevada the same driving costs $428; in Hawaii it costs $1,720.

How long does a Tesla Model S take to charge on a 240V charger?

EPA rates it at about 9.7 hours for a full charge on a 240-volt (Level 2) charger. A standard 120-volt household outlet takes roughly five to six times longer; DC fast charging is far quicker but costs considerably more per kWh than charging at home.

Is a Tesla Model S cheaper to run than a gasoline car?

On fuel alone, yes. A Tesla Model S costs about $5.28 per 100 miles in electricity. A typical new gasoline large car manages 29 MPG, which at $4.32 a gallon costs $14.89 per 100 miles — $9.61 more. Over 12,000 miles the difference is $1,154 a year in the EV's favour. This compares fuel only — not insurance, depreciation, maintenance or your state's EV registration fee.

Cars to compare it with

Almost identical energy use

These use within a fraction of a kWh per 100 miles of the Tesla Model S, so running cost is effectively a wash between them — the decision comes down to everything else.

Other electric large cars

• Audi A6 e-tron ultra — 26.54 kWh/100mi
• Lucid Air G Touring XR — 26.13 kWh/100mi
• Lucid Air Touring — 25.15 kWh/100mi
• Audi A6 e-tron — 30.36 kWh/100mi
• Lucid Air Pure — 23.09 kWh/100mi
• Lucid Air Sapphire — 32.1 kWh/100mi
• Audi S6 e-tron — 32.72 kWh/100mi
• Dodge Charger Daytona R/T — 34.39 kWh/100mi
• Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 — 34.39 kWh/100mi
• Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 — 35.11 kWh/100mi

Other Tesla electric cars

• Cybertruck — 41.1 kWh/100mi
• Model 3 — 24.6 kWh/100mi
• Model 3 Standard — 24.25 kWh/100mi
• Model S Plaid — 30.64 kWh/100mi
• Model X — 32.1 kWh/100mi
• Model X Plaid — 33.7 kWh/100mi
• Model Y — 25.15 kWh/100mi
• Model Y Standard — 24.42 kWh/100mi

Where these numbers come from

Energy use per 100 miles is 3,370.5 ÷ MPGe, because EPA defines MPGe against 33.705 kWh per gasoline gallon equivalent. EPA meters that energy at the wall, so charging losses are already included.

Usable battery size is EPA range × kWh per 100 miles ÷ 100 × 0.90. The 0.90 corrects for the fact that EPA measures energy at the wall but measures range from the pack; without it the estimate runs about 10% high. It is an estimate, not a manufacturer specification — expect a few kWh of error either way.

Cost assumes home charging at the state's average residential electricity price (EIA, May 2026) and 12,000 miles a year. Public DC fast charging costs considerably more; time-of-use plans can cost less.

The petrol comparison uses the median combined MPG of current regular-gasoline, non-hybrid cars in this car's own EPA vehicle class — not an all-car average — priced at the U.S. average retail price from the EIA weekly series. It counts fuel only.