The Cost Comparison Between Charging a Tesla and Buying Gasoline for a Traditional ICE Vehicle

When considering the environmental and economic benefits of zero-emission vehicles like the Tesla, one crucial factor is the cost of charging compared to the cost of purchasing gasoline for a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. This comparison can vary widely depending on the region, type of vehicle, and charging methods available.

Charging Costs vs. Gasoline Costs

Tesla has been vocal about the operational costs of their electric vehicles (EVs). According to Tesla, it costs approximately six cents per mile to operate a Tesla model from a charge. This figure is significantly lower compared to the cost of operating an ICE vehicle, which can range from 14 to 25 cents per mile depending on the model and fuel prices.

Cost Analysis of Tesla vs. ICE Vehicles

For a traditional ICE vehicle, if we take a mileage rate of 25 miles per gallon (mpg) and gasoline prices ranging from ￡1.45 per liter (current in the UK) to ￡1.25 per liter, the cost would vary as follows:

At ￡1.45 per liter (25 mpg): ￡1.45 × 4 liters/100 miles ￡0.058 per mile At ￡1.25 per liter (25 mpg): ￡1.25 × 4 liters/100 miles ￡0.05 per mile At ￡1.25 per liter (35 mpg): (￡1.25/35 mpg) × 100 miles ￡0.036 per mile

Another important factor to consider is home charging, where the cost can be significantly reduced. One frequent user reported a cost of approximately ￡3.00 per full charge, which equated to around ten cents a mile for their Tesla Model 3 AWD. For home charging, the cost is often further reduced by incorporating domestic solar cells that are subsidized for both installation and grid use.

Public vs. Home Charging

Charging costs can vary widely depending on the availability and type of public charging infrastructure. Let’s consider an input from one user: a recent public charge at a Tesla Supercharger where the user paid ￡9.57 for 29 kWh, costing approximately ten cents a mile. At a slower public charger, the costs can be lower, but the charging process is generally slower. For instance, the closest Tesla public charger to the user is a free destination charger at Jay Peak, which provides about 70 miles of range per hour of charging. However, this charger is designed for long-stop scenarios like leisurely dinner or hotel stays.

While free charging is more common in some regions, the costs can still vary. In California, some rest areas offer free charging, and ChargePoint's headquarters in Silicon Valley has public chargers available. However, if you are on the road and need to cover long distances quickly, Tesla Superchargers are often more efficient and cost-effective.

General Observations and Considerations

Based on these observations, the costs of charging a Tesla and buying gasoline for an ICE vehicle are similar but highly variable. The cost difference can vary greatly based on factors such as the price of electricity and gasoline, the efficiency of the vehicle, and the charging infrastructure available in specific regions. Home charging, especially with the inclusion of solar power, can significantly reduce the overall costs for EV owners.

It is important to note that public charging can be more expensive, but the availability of home charging and free charging options can mitigate some of these costs. However, for widespread adoption of EVs, it is crucial to have more affordable public charging options and better infrastructure to support EV owners on the road.