How Many kWh to Charge a Tesla? Full Charging Cost Guide 2026
Battery sizes, home vs Supercharger costs, Magic Dock locations, and what you'll actually pay.
How Many kWh Does a Tesla Battery Hold?
The amount of electricity needed to charge your Tesla depends on the battery pack size and how depleted it is when you plug in. Here are the usable battery capacities across current Tesla models:
| Model | Battery (usable kWh) | Full charge from empty |
|---|---|---|
| Model 3 Standard Range (LFP) | 57.5 kWh | ~57.5 kWh |
| Model 3 Long Range AWD | 75 kWh | ~75 kWh |
| Model Y Standard Range (LFP) | 57.5 kWh | ~57.5 kWh |
| Model Y Long Range AWD | 75 kWh | ~75 kWh |
| Model S Long Range | 95 kWh | ~95 kWh |
| Model S Plaid | 95 kWh | ~95 kWh |
| Model X Long Range | 95 kWh | ~95 kWh |
| Model X Plaid | 95 kWh | ~95 kWh |
| Cybertruck AWD | 123 kWh | ~123 kWh |
| Cybertruck Cyberbeast | 123 kWh | ~123 kWh |
Note: Most owners never charge from completely empty. Average daily charging adds 20–40 kWh depending on driving.
What Does It Cost to Charge a Tesla?
Home Charging Cost
Home electricity rates in the US average approximately $0.16/kWh nationally (2026), though this ranges from $0.10/kWh in states like Louisiana to $0.28/kWh in California.
| Model | Battery | At $0.13/kWh | At $0.16/kWh | At $0.25/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model 3/Y SR | 57.5 kWh | $7.48 | $9.20 | $14.38 |
| Model 3/Y LR | 75 kWh | $9.75 | $12.00 | $18.75 |
| Model S/X | 95 kWh | $12.35 | $15.20 | $23.75 |
| Cybertruck | 123 kWh | $15.99 | $19.68 | $30.75 |
Cost-Per-Mile Comparison
~$0.04/mile
Tesla home charging
~$0.12/mile
Gas at 30 mpg + $3.50/gal
Home charging a Tesla costs approximately 3–4x less per mile than fueling an average gas vehicle.
Supercharger Cost
Tesla's Supercharger network charges per kWh (in most US states) at rates that vary by location and time of day:
- Off-peak: ~$0.25–$0.30/kWh
- Peak (3pm–8pm in many markets): ~$0.35–$0.48/kWh
| Model | kWh for ~150 mi | At $0.30/kWh | At $0.40/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model 3 LR | ~37.5 kWh | $11.25 | $15.00 |
| Model Y LR | ~40 kWh | $12.00 | $16.00 |
| Model S/X | ~45 kWh | $13.50 | $18.00 |
| Cybertruck | ~55 kWh | $16.50 | $22.00 |
Home Charging: Level 1 vs Level 2
Level 1 (120V Standard Outlet)
- Speed: 3–5 miles of range per hour
- Equipment: Included with every Tesla
- Cost: No additional hardware
- Best for: Low-mileage drivers, 30–50 mi/day
Level 2 (240V — Recommended)
- Speed: 25–44 miles of range per hour
- Equipment: Wall Connector ~$450
- Installation: $200–$600 by electrician
- Best for: Full charge overnight for any Tesla
How Long to Fully Charge on Level 2
| Model | Battery | Hours on Level 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Model 3/Y SR | 57.5 kWh | ~6–8 hours |
| Model 3/Y LR | 75 kWh | ~8–10 hours |
| Model S/X | 95 kWh | ~10–12 hours |
| Cybertruck | 123 kWh | ~12–15 hours |
Tesla Magic Dock: What It Is and Where to Find It
The Magic Dock is a CCS (Combined Charging System) adapter built directly into certain Supercharger cables, allowing non-Tesla EVs to use the Supercharger network without a separate adapter.
PlugShare
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