MPGe is the distance a car covers on 33.7 kWh, the energy in a gallon of gasoline. Across 15 EPA ratings of the Model S since 2012 it has averaged 109.9 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 $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
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Dodge Charger is rated 96.5 MPGe and the Genesis G80 96.5 MPGe, next to 124 MPGe for the 2026 Model S. The Model S is the cheapest of them to run: $157 a year less than the Dodge Charger.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Energy use (2026) | 27.2 kWh per 100 miles |
| Cost per mile | $0.046 |
| Charging per year | $555 |
| Charging over five years | $2,775 |
| Against other Electric cars, 2024–2026 | −$135 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $697 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2026 Tesla Model S does better in town than out of it: 132 in the city against 116 on the highway, $74 a year in favor of city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2026) | 132 MPGe | $520 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 116 MPGe | $594 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | -16 MPGe (-12%) | 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 charging between buying one year and the other. The biggest single-year change came in 2019: 103 to 111 MPGe.
| 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.
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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 2026 Tesla Model S rated at?
124 MPGe combined, 132 city and 116 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 2012 the Model S has averaged 109.9 MPGe.
Is the 2026 Model S more efficient than the 2025?
About the same: 124 against 124 MPGe combined.
Which Model S year has the best efficiency?
The 2026, at 124 MPGe combined (132 city, 116 highway), which is also the latest model year we hold.
Does the Model S get better efficiency than the Dodge Charger?
Yes: 124 MPGe for the 2026 Model S against 96.5 for the 2026 Dodge Charger, about $157 a year less to run.
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