The Tesla Model 3 is rated 134.9 MPGe (141.8 city, 127 highway) — that is not petrol economy but the distance it covers on 33.7 kWh, the energy held in one gallon. Drawn from a socket it needs 25 kWh per 100 miles, so 12,000 miles a year costs about $510 at $0.17 a kWh. 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
MPGe is an abstraction; the electricity bill is not. At 12,000 miles a year the Tesla Model 3 draws about 3000 kWh, which at $0.17 comes to the figures below.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Energy use | 25 kWh per 100 miles |
| Cost per mile | $0.043 |
| Charging per year | $510 |
| Charging over five years | $2,550 |
| Against other Electric cars | −$171 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $560 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Tesla Model 3 is one of the cars that does better in town than out of it — 141.8 in the city against 127 on the highway. That is $31 a year in favour of the commuter stuck in traffic, and it usually means a hybrid drivetrain recovering energy every time you brake.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 141.8 MPGe | $486 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 127 MPGe | $541 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | -14.8 MPGe (-10%) | 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 fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 139. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| 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.
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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 Tesla Model 3 rated at?
134.9 MPGe combined on average — 141.8 in the city and 127 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2017–2026. MPGe is distance covered on 33.7 kWh, the energy in a gallon of petrol — the car itself takes none.
How much does a Tesla Model 3 cost to charge per year?
About $510 at 12,000 miles and $0.17 a kilowatt-hour — roughly $2,550 over five years, or 0.043 dollars a mile.
Which Model 3 version is the most efficient?
The Electric at 134.9 MPGe.
Is the Model 3 efficient compared with similar cars?
Against other Electric cars it sits above the average of 101 MPGe, computed across 426 ratings.
Are these real-world Model 3 figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Tesla Model 3 is $560 against the $510 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the city and highway figures is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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