The Tesla Model S is rated 109.9 MPGe (112 city, 107.8 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 30.7 kWh per 100 miles, so 12,000 miles a year costs about $626 at $0.17 a kWh. The EPA's own annual figure for it is $697.
Every Tesla Model S version, compared
The Tesla Model S 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 | 112 / 107.8 | 2012–2026 | $626 |
What that actually costs
MPGe is an abstraction; the electricity bill is not. At 12,000 miles a year the Tesla Model S draws about 3684 kWh, which at $0.17 comes to the figures below.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Energy use | 30.7 kWh per 100 miles |
| Cost per mile | $0.052 |
| Charging per year | $626 |
| Charging over five years | $3,130 |
| Against other Electric cars | −$55 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $697 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Tesla Model S is one of the cars that does better in town than out of it — 112 in the city against 107.8 on the highway. That is $13 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 | 112 MPGe | $614 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 107.8 MPGe | $639 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | -4.2 MPGe (-4%) | Reversed — it does better in town than on the open road |
How the Model S changed over the years
The Model S peaked in 2026 at 124 MPGe (132 city, 116 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2012 at 89 — 35 MPGe apart, or $218 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 124. 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 | 132 / 116 | 1 | $555 | |
| 2025 | 132 / 116 | 1 | $555 | |
| 2024 | 127 / 116 | 1 | $563 | |
| 2023 | 124 / 115 | 1 | $573 | |
| 2022 | 124 / 115 | 1 | $573 | |
| 2021 | 124 / 115 | 1 | $573 | |
| 2020 | 121 / 112 | 1 | $588 | |
| 2019 | 115 / 107 | 1 | $620 | |
| 2018 | 102 / 105 | 1 | $667 | |
| 2017 | 101 / 107 | 1 | $661 | |
| 2016 | 101 / 107 | 1 | $661 | |
| 2015 | 101 / 102 | 1 | $681 | |
| 2014 | 94 / 97 | 1 | $724 | |
| 2013 | 94 / 97 | 1 | $724 | |
| 2012 | 88 / 90 | 1 | $773 |
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 15 EPA ratings of the Tesla Model S — 1 engine across 2012–2026. 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 $697. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Tesla Model S rated at?
109.9 MPGe combined on average — 112 in the city and 107.8 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2012–2026. 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 S cost to charge per year?
About $626 at 12,000 miles and $0.17 a kilowatt-hour — roughly $3,130 over five years, or 0.052 dollars a mile.
Which Model S version is the most efficient?
The Electric at 109.9 MPGe.
Is the Model S 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 S 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 S is $697 against the $626 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.
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.