Tesla averages 113.6 mpg combined across 6 models (2012–2026). The best on record does 142 mpg, the thirstiest 79 — a yearly fuel gap of about $216.
What that actually costs
What a Tesla costs to feed, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Average combined | 113.6 mpg |
| Fuel per year | $338 |
| Most frugal on record | 142 mpg — $270 a year |
| Thirstiest on record | 79 mpg — $486 a year |
Tesla models by fuel economy
From the most frugal down. The yearly figure is what the fuel actually costs at 12,000 miles.
| Model | Average mpg | Best / Worst engine | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 | 142 / 126 | $285 | |
| Tesla Model Y | 138 / 120 | $304 | |
| Tesla Model S | 124 / 89 | $349 | |
| Tesla Model X | 105 / 93 | $387 | |
| Tesla Roadster | 89 / 89 | $431 | |
| Tesla Cybertruck | 82 / 79 | $477 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
- Fuel tracker: what you really spend, month by month
- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average Tesla mpg?
113.6 mpg combined across 6 models rated between 2012 and 2026. That averages everything the brand has offered, so a long history of trucks pulls it down.
Which Tesla model is the most economical?
See the table above — models are sorted from the most frugal down, with what each costs in fuel per year.
How much does a Tesla cost to run?
About $338 a year in fuel on average, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon.
Why does the average look low for a modern brand?
Because it covers every model year on record, back to the 1980s. Cars built before the mid-2000s were markedly thirstier — that era is included.