The Tesla Model Y does 126.4 mpg combined (135.1 city, 118.0 highway), which works out to about $304 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 Y 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 | 135.1 / 118 | 2020–2026 | $304 |
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 | $0.025 |
| Fuel per year | $304 |
| Fuel over five years | $1,520 |
| Against other Electric cars | −$81 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $607 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 | 135.1 mpg | $284 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 118.0 mpg | $325 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +-17.1 mpg (-13%) | Narrow — equally happy either way |
How the Model Y 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 | 148 / 129 | 1 | $278 | |
| 2025 | 134 / 117 | 1 | $307 | |
| 2024 | 128 / 112 | 1 | $320 | |
| 2023 | 129 / 116 | 1 | $312 | |
| 2022 | 140 / 119 | 1 | $298 | |
| 2021 | 140 / 119 | 1 | $298 | |
| 2020 | 127 / 114 | 1 | $317 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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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 Y get?
126.4 mpg combined on average — 135.1 in the city and 118.0 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2020–2026.
How much does a Tesla Model Y cost in fuel per year?
About $304 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $1,520 over five years, or 0.025 dollars a mile.
Which Model Y engine is the most economical?
The Electric at 126.4 mpg.
Is the Model Y 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.