MPGe is the distance a car covers on 33.7 kWh, the energy in a gallon of gasoline. Across 10 EPA ratings of the Model 3 since 2017 it has averaged 134.9 MPGe, and the 2026 model beats the 99.7 MPGe average of other electric cars rated 2024–2026. The EPA's own annual figure for it is $560.
Every Tesla Model 3 version, compared
The Tesla Model 3 was rated in a single specification, so its consumption does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $0.17 a kilowatt-hour.
| Version | Combined MPGe | City / Highway | Years | Charging per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 141.8 / 127 | 2017–2026 | $510 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Mercedes-Benz 350 is rated 94 MPGe, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 135 MPGe and the Polestar 2 102 MPGe, next to 139 MPGe for the 2026 Model 3. The Model 3 is the cheapest of them to run: $238 a year less than the Mercedes-Benz 350.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Energy use (2026) | 24.2 kWh per 100 miles |
| Cost per mile | $0.041 |
| Charging per year | $494 |
| Charging over five years | $2,470 |
| Against other Electric cars, 2024–2026 | −$196 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $560 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2026 Tesla Model 3 does better in town than out of it: 147 in the city against 130 on the highway, $61 a year in favor of city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2026) | 147 MPGe | $467 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 130 MPGe | $528 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | -17 MPGe (-12%) | Reversed — it does better in town than on the open road |
How the Model 3 changed over the years
The Model 3 peaked in 2021 at 142 MPGe (150 city, 133 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2017 at 126 — 16 MPGe apart, or $62 a year in charging between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 139. The 2026 model gains 2 MPGe against 137 for the 2025. The biggest single-year change came in 2022: 142 to 132 MPGe.
| Model year | Combined MPGe | City / Highway | Versions offered | Charging per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 147 / 130 | 1 | $494 | |
| 2025 | 145 / 128 | 1 | $502 | |
| 2024 | 145 / 128 | 1 | $502 | |
| 2023 | 138 / 126 | 1 | $520 | |
| 2022 | 138 / 126 | 1 | $520 | |
| 2021 | 150 / 133 | 1 | $483 | |
| 2020 | 148 / 132 | 1 | $488 | |
| 2019 | 140 / 124 | 1 | $516 | |
| 2018 | 136 / 123 | 1 | $528 | |
| 2017 | 131 / 120 | 1 | $545 |
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
This page rests on 10 EPA ratings of the Tesla Model 3 — 1 engine across 2017–2026. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $0.17 a kilowatt-hour, against EPA's own estimate of $560. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 2026 Tesla Model 3 rated at?
139 MPGe combined, 147 city and 130 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 2017 the Model 3 has averaged 134.9 MPGe.
Is the 2026 Model 3 more efficient than the 2025?
Yes: 139 against 137 MPGe combined, about $8 a year less to run.
Which Model 3 year has the best efficiency?
The 2021, at 142 MPGe combined (150 city, 133 highway).
Does the Model 3 get better efficiency than the Mercedes-Benz 350?
Yes: 139 MPGe for the 2026 Model 3 against 94 for the 2025 Mercedes-Benz 350, about $238 a year less to run.
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.