MPGe is the distance a car covers on 33.7 kWh, the energy in a gallon of gasoline. Across 7 EPA ratings of the Model Y since 2020 it has averaged 126.4 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 $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
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Porsche Macan is rated 102 MPGe, the Genesis GV70 93.5 MPGe and the Volkswagen ID.4 113 MPGe, next to 138 MPGe for the 2026 Model Y. The Model Y is the cheapest of them to run: $236 a year less than the Genesis GV70.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Energy use (2026) | 24.4 kWh per 100 miles |
| Cost per mile | $0.041 |
| Charging per year | $498 |
| Charging over five years | $2,490 |
| Against other Electric cars, 2024–2026 | −$192 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $607 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2026 Tesla Model Y does better in town than out of it: 148 in the city against 129 on the highway, $67 a year in favor of city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2026) | 148 MPGe | $465 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 129 MPGe | $532 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | -19 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 charging between buying one year and the other. The 2026 model gains 13 MPGe against 125 for the 2025.
| 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 2026 Tesla Model Y rated at?
138 MPGe combined, 148 city and 129 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 2020 the Model Y has averaged 126.4 MPGe.
Is the 2026 Model Y more efficient than the 2025?
Yes: 138 against 125 MPGe combined, about $53 a year less to run.
Which Model Y year has the best efficiency?
The 2026, at 138 MPGe combined (148 city, 129 highway), which is also the latest model year we hold.
Does the Model Y get better efficiency than the Porsche Macan?
Yes: 138 MPGe for the 2026 Model Y against 102 for the 2026 Porsche Macan, about $175 a year less to run.
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