The Tesla Model S does 109.9 mpg combined (112.0 city, 107.8 highway), which works out to about $349 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 S 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 | 112 / 107.8 | 2012–2026 | $349 |
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 | $0.029 |
| Fuel per year | $349 |
| Fuel over five years | $1,745 |
| Against other Electric cars | −$36 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $697 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 | 112.0 mpg | $343 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 107.8 mpg | $356 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +-4.2 mpg (-4%) | Narrow — equally happy either way |
How the Model S 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 | 132 / 116 | 1 | $310 | |
| 2025 | 132 / 116 | 1 | $310 | |
| 2024 | 127 / 116 | 1 | $315 | |
| 2023 | 124 / 115 | 1 | $320 | |
| 2022 | 124 / 115 | 1 | $320 | |
| 2021 | 124 / 115 | 1 | $320 | |
| 2020 | 121 / 112 | 1 | $328 | |
| 2019 | 115 / 107 | 1 | $346 | |
| 2018 | 102 / 105 | 1 | $373 | |
| 2017 | 101 / 107 | 1 | $369 | |
| 2016 | 101 / 107 | 1 | $369 | |
| 2015 | 101 / 102 | 1 | $380 | |
| 2014 | 94 / 97 | 1 | $404 | |
| 2013 | 94 / 97 | 1 | $404 | |
| 2012 | 88 / 90 | 1 | $431 |
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 S get?
109.9 mpg combined on average — 112.0 in the city and 107.8 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2012–2026.
How much does a Tesla Model S cost in fuel per year?
About $349 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $1,745 over five years, or 0.029 dollars a mile.
Which Model S engine is the most economical?
The Electric at 109.9 mpg.
Is the Model S 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.