How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Tesla Model Y at Home vs Public Stations in 2026?

The 2025 Model Y Long Range AWD ships with a 79 kWh usable battery — a bump from the 75 kWh pack in earlier models. Its EPA efficiency rating of 4.1 miles per kWh (roughly 244 Wh/mile) makes it one of the most efficient midsize SUVs on the market.

Those two numbers — 79 kWh and 4.1 mi/kWh — are what drive every cost calculation below. A full charge from near-empty to 100% requires about 83–85 kWh at the wall (accounting for ~5–7% charging losses). For the math here, we use 79 kWh as the delivered energy.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration forecasts the national average residential electricity rate at $0.169/kWh in 2026 — up modestly from $0.163/kWh in 2024 as grid infrastructure costs continue rising. For this guide, we use $0.17/kWh as the working average.

At that rate, a full 79 kWh charge costs $13.43. For a driver covering 1,000 miles per month, home charging adds about $41 to the electricity bill. That's less than most people spend on a single tank of gas.

Level 1 vs Level 2 at home: Both cost the same per kWh — the difference is speed. A standard 120V outlet (Level 1) adds about 3–4 miles of range per hour. A 240V Level 2 charger (like a NEMA 14-50 outlet or dedicated EVSE) adds 20–30 miles per hour and charges the Model Y overnight from near-empty. For most homeowners, a Level 2 setup is worth the one-time installation cost of $200–$800. See our home EV charger installation guide for details.

Tesla Supercharger pricing ranges from $0.25 to $0.55/kWh across the U.S., with a national average of around $0.38/kWh as of 2026. Location drives the biggest price differences — rural Midwest stations often run $0.25–$0.30/kWh, while California and New York average $0.44–$0.56/kWh. Time-of-use pricing at busy urban stations can push rates even higher during peak hours.

At the $0.38/kWh national average, a full charge costs $30.02 and a 1,000-mile month at the Supercharger would run $92.68 — more than double the home charging bill.

⚠️ Supercharger Membership Change (May 2025)

Tesla restructured its Supercharger membership in May 2025. The $10.99/month plan (down from $12.99) no longer includes per-kWh charging discounts. It now only covers priority access and hotel/restaurant partner discounts. For most Model Y owners who primarily charge at home, the membership math no longer works. Tesla owners pay the same standard per-kWh rates as everyone else at Superchargers.

Public DC fast charging prices have risen about 25% since 2022 as networks push toward profitability. The era of subsidized free charging at retail locations and dealerships is largely over in 2026. What you pay now reflects the true cost of maintaining high-speed infrastructure.

Electrify America has raised its prices three times since 2022. Pass members (no subscription) now pay $0.48–$0.60/kWh. The Pass+ membership at $4/month brings that down to $0.36–$0.56/kWh — still significantly above home rates but worth it if you road trip frequently.

Many utilities offer time-of-use (TOU) rates where overnight electricity (typically 9 PM – 6 AM) costs 30–50% less than peak daytime rates. In California, for example, overnight off-peak rates can drop to $0.19–$0.23/kWh even though the daytime average is $0.31/kWh.

The Tesla app lets you schedule charging to start automatically at off-peak hours. Set it once and the car handles the rest. In states with aggressive TOU pricing, this single habit can save $15–$30/month on your electricity bill. See our off-peak charging savings guide to find the best rates in your state.

The Model Y is a cheap car to fuel — but only if you charge it at home. At the 2026 national average of $0.17/kWh, you're paying $41/month to drive 1,000 miles. Switch to regular Supercharging and that number triples to $93/month. Use a higher-priced network like Electrify America without a membership and you're approaching what a gasoline car would cost.

The practical strategy for most Model Y owners: charge at home for daily driving, use the Supercharger network on road trips, and skip membership plans now that Tesla removed the per-kWh discount. If you do road trip heavily, Electrify America's $4/month Pass+ plan is still worth picking up.

Public charging costs have risen 25% since 2022 and analysts don't expect meaningful price drops in the next few years. Home charging is the hedge. If you're apartment-bound, check whether your building has — or is planning — Level 2 charging infrastructure before it becomes a dealbreaker.