The Tesla Model Y is rated 126.4 MPGe (135.1 city, 118 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 26.7 kWh per 100 miles, so 12,000 miles a year costs about $545 at $0.17 a kWh. The EPA's own annual figure for it is $607.
Every Tesla Model Y version, compared
The Tesla Model Y 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 | 135.1 / 118 | 2020–2026 | $545 |
What that actually costs
MPGe is an abstraction; the electricity bill is not. At 12,000 miles a year the Tesla Model Y draws about 3204 kWh, which at $0.17 comes to the figures below.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Energy use | 26.7 kWh per 100 miles |
| Cost per mile | $0.045 |
| Charging per year | $545 |
| Charging over five years | $2,725 |
| Against other Electric cars | −$136 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $607 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Tesla Model Y is one of the cars that does better in town than out of it — 135.1 in the city against 118 on the highway. That is $41 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 | 135.1 MPGe | $508 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 118 MPGe | $583 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | -17.1 MPGe (-13%) | Reversed — it does better in town than on the open road |
How the Model Y changed over the years
The Model Y peaked in 2026 at 138 MPGe (148 city, 129 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2024 at 120 — 18 MPGe apart, or $75 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 138. 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 | 148 / 129 | 1 | $498 | |
| 2025 | 134 / 117 | 1 | $551 | |
| 2024 | 128 / 112 | 1 | $573 | |
| 2023 | 129 / 116 | 1 | $559 | |
| 2022 | 140 / 119 | 1 | $532 | |
| 2021 | 140 / 119 | 1 | $532 | |
| 2020 | 127 / 114 | 1 | $569 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 7 EPA ratings of the Tesla Model Y — 1 engine across 2020–2026. 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 $607. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Tesla Model Y rated at?
126.4 MPGe combined on average — 135.1 in the city and 118 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2020–2026. 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 Y cost to charge per year?
About $545 at 12,000 miles and $0.17 a kilowatt-hour — roughly $2,725 over five years, or 0.045 dollars a mile.
Which Model Y version is the most efficient?
The Electric at 126.4 MPGe.
Is the Model Y 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 Y 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 Y is $607 against the $545 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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