The Tesla Model 3 does 134.9 mpg combined (141.8 city, 127.0 highway), which works out to about $285 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other Electric cars it sits above the average of 99.7 mpg.
Every Tesla Model 3 engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 141.8 / 127 | 2017–2026 | $285 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.024 |
| Fuel per year | $285 |
| Fuel over five years | $1,425 |
| Against other Electric cars | −$100 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $560 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 141.8 mpg | $271 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 127.0 mpg | $302 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +-14.8 mpg (-10%) | Narrow — equally happy either way |
How the Model 3 changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 147 / 130 | 1 | $276 | |
| 2025 | 145 / 128 | 1 | $280 | |
| 2024 | 145 / 128 | 1 | $280 | |
| 2023 | 138 / 126 | 1 | $291 | |
| 2022 | 138 / 126 | 1 | $291 | |
| 2021 | 150 / 133 | 1 | $270 | |
| 2020 | 148 / 132 | 1 | $272 | |
| 2019 | 140 / 124 | 1 | $289 | |
| 2018 | 136 / 123 | 1 | $295 | |
| 2017 | 131 / 120 | 1 | $305 |
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
- Compare any two cars on total cost, not sticker price
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
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 mpg does the Tesla Model 3 get?
134.9 mpg combined on average — 141.8 in the city and 127.0 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2017–2026.
How much does a Tesla Model 3 cost in fuel per year?
About $285 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $1,425 over five years, or 0.024 dollars a mile.
Which Model 3 engine is the most economical?
The Electric at 134.9 mpg.
Is the Model 3 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other Electric cars it sits above the average of 99.7 mpg, computed across 540 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.