One of the most common questions new Tesla owners ask is: how much does it cost to charge at home? The answer depends heavily on whether you’re pulling power from the grid or offsetting your electricity use with solar panels. In this article, we’ll break down the true costs of charging a Tesla at home, compare the difference between grid electricity and solar, and explain the long-term financial impact of both options.
How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Tesla at Home?
On average, charging a Tesla at home costs between $10 and $18 per full charge, depending on your model and local electricity rates. The U.S. average residential electricity price is about 16 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) as of 2025.
- Tesla Model 3 (60 kWh battery): ~$9.60 for a full charge
- Tesla Model Y (75 kWh battery): ~$12.00 for a full charge
- Tesla Model S or X (100 kWh battery): ~$16.00 for a full charge
This translates to 3–5 cents per mile, far cheaper than the 15–20 cents per mile most gasoline vehicles cost.
Factors That Influence Home Charging Costs
Your actual costs depend on a few key factors:
- Local electricity rates – Some states like California pay upwards of $0.25–$0.30/kWh, while states like Texas average closer to $0.12/kWh.
- Time-of-use pricing – Charging overnight (off-peak) can cut your cost by 30–50% if your utility offers reduced nighttime rates.
- Home charging equipment – Installing a Level 2 charger (240V) costs about $1,000–$1,500 upfront, but reduces charging time significantly compared to a standard wall outlet.
Charging a Tesla With Solar Power
Adding solar panels to your home changes the equation dramatically. With a properly sized system, you can offset most or all of your EV charging costs. Here’s how the math works:
- Solar installation cost: $15,000–$25,000 (before tax credits)
- Average panel lifespan: 25 years
- Levelized cost of solar electricity: ~6–8 cents per kWh
That means charging your Tesla with solar is effectively half the cost of grid power over the long run, and once the panels are paid off, your charging cost drops close to zero.
Payback and Long-Term Savings
For many homeowners, solar pays for itself in 6–10 years. If you drive 12,000–15,000 miles annually, charging a Tesla with solar instead of grid power can save you $500–$800 per year on energy costs. Over the lifespan of your panels, that can add up to more than $20,000 in savings.
Home Charging vs. Public Charging
It’s also worth comparing home charging to public charging:
- Tesla Supercharger network: ~$0.25–$0.35 per kWh (about double the cost of home charging).
- Third-party fast chargers (Electrify America, EVgo): ~$0.30–$0.50 per kWh.
While public charging is convenient, it’s more expensive and can’t match the long-term savings of solar at home.
With or Without Solar: Which Is Right for You?
If you live in an area with high electricity rates or get a lot of sun exposure, solar power for EV charging makes the most financial sense. If you live somewhere with cheap electricity, charging from the grid might be simpler and nearly as cost-effective—at least until rates rise.
Final Thoughts
Charging a Tesla at home is already far cheaper than filling a gas tank, but adding solar takes it to another level. With grid electricity, expect $10–$18 per charge, while with solar, your effective cost can drop to a few dollars—or even nothing after your system pays for itself. For most Tesla owners, pairing solar with home charging is the ultimate way to cut costs and achieve true energy independence.