Model Y: How Much It Costs To Charge Tesla's Crossover SUV
The Tesla Model Y is a roomy and stylish crossover SUV with plenty of range, and while the purchase price sounds quite affordable, there could be a concern about how much it costs to charge its large battery pack. But, of course, since the world initially chose fossil fuels as the power source for cars, the comparison is inevitable, and any electric vehicle has to be able to deliver 200 to 300 miles of range to be considered a viable alternative. Larger battery packs allow greater driving distance between charging but cost more to top up when the time comes.
In some ways, Tesla's Model Y is the star of its lineup. While it is not the fastest, most luxurious, or most affordable, it fits directly in the middle, offering a perfect balance that meets the needs of more customers than any other Tesla. As a crossover sports utility vehicle, it provides ample room for five passengers with an optional third row that increases seating capacity to seven. Moreover, with a range of 300 miles or more and an ever-expanding Tesla Supercharger network, range anxiety will rarely be a problem.
The Tesla Model Y uses some of the company's latest and very best technology, making it among the most efficient for its size. That means the cost to charge a Model Y should be among the most reasonable in the industry. The Model Y is available in two basic configurations, a long-range and a performance model. In each case, the battery pack can store 75 kilowatt-hours of energy. The Model Y is very efficient, and the long-range model can drive for 326 miles on a single charge, according to the EPA (Environment Protection Agency). Even the performance model, which is optimized for speed, has a range of 303 miles. Of course, those hundreds of miles come at a cost, and many Tesla owners will be charging at home. According to the EIA (Energy Information Administration), the average residential power price in Jan. 2022 was 13.72 cents per kilowatt-hour across the U.S. Multiplying the cost per kilowatt-hour by the battery pack capacity comes to a total of $10.29 to fully charge a Model Y using a home charger. That means the Tesla Model Y long-range costs a little over three cents per mile driven, an incredibly low cost. Supercharger rates vary, and Elektrek reported in April 2022 that Tesla encourages charging during off-peak hours with lower prices.
Charging at home is convenient, and most Tesla owners have a home charger to top up the Model Y's battery overnight for more driving range for the next day. However, there are times when a little extra is needed. For anyone with a long commute to work and back daily, drivers will come to enjoy the speed and ease of using a Tesla Supercharger to remove any restrictions from their movement. Having more range than needed provides the capacity necessary to take an unexpected detour or grab some opportunity that arises.
The cost to recharge a Tesla Model Y battery at a Supercharger varies by location and demand, but a price of 24 to 48 cents per kilowatt-hour is typical. At these rates, fully charging a Model Y would cost between $18 and $36. The convenience and greater speed of a Supercharger are pretty tempting and sometimes a necessity. Clearly, the best place to charge a Tesla Model Y is at home to enjoy the incredibly low cost of driving an electric car.