Why a “full charge” is the wrong number to budget with
Few drivers charge from empty to full, so the number that shapes your bill is energy per mile: 24.6 kWh per 100 miles for the Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD. EPA measures it at the wall outlet on Level 2 charging, so the energy lost in the charger is already included. The average US car covers about 11,040 miles a year (FHWA), which for this model is about 2,716 kWh.
Cold weather raises consumption. In testing cited by fueleconomy.gov (a AAA study), EV efficiency at 20°F was about 39% lower with the cabin heater on, and 8% lower with it off.
Your tariff matters as much as the car: on a time-of-use EV plan the overnight price can be a fraction of the evening peak. Put your utility and charging hour into the EV charging cost calculator for your real number.
EPA version used: 2026 Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD. Other trims, wheels or tires rate differently; see all versions on fueleconomy.gov.
Similar efficiency
Tesla Model Y Standard RWD (24.3 kWh/100 mi), Tesla Model 3 Standard RWD (24.3 kWh/100 mi), Toyota bZ (25.5 kWh/100 mi), Hyundai Ioniq 6 RWD (26 kWh/100 mi).