Calculator
Total cost of ownership.
Compare the true cost of owning a Tesla versus a gas vehicle over your ownership period.
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Methodology
How TCO is calculated.
Total cost of ownership includes every cost of owning and operating a vehicle over a specified period.
Acquisition
- Vehicle purchase price plus destination fee
- Sales tax at the rate you set (7% by default)
- Registration and title fees (~$200 a year)
- Financing interest based on APR and loan term
Operating
- Insurance premiums over ownership period
- Maintenance and repairs (~$0.04/mi Tesla, ~$0.10/mi gas)
- Electricity at the wall, including ~10% charging losses, or gasoline at your MPG
Incentives
- No federal credit: the $7,500 clean-vehicle credit ended September 30, 2025
- State rebates for CA, CO, MA, NJ and NY when selected
Residual
- Estimated resale value at end of ownership
- 15% depreciation year 1, 10% annually thereafter
Notes
- Estimates based on industry averages; may vary by location.
- State incentives change often and carry income and price caps; confirm before you count on one.
- Actual costs will vary based on individual circumstances.
- This calculator is for informational purposes only.
FAQ
Cost questions.
Is a Tesla cheaper to own than a gas car?
Usually, over five or more years, once electricity, maintenance and resale value are counted. A Model 3 or Model Y typically costs 40–60% less per mile to fuel than a 28 mpg gas car at $3.50 a gallon and about 60% less to maintain. Whether that overcomes a higher purchase price depends on how many miles you drive and what you pay for electricity, which is what this calculator works out.
Does this calculator include the $7,500 federal tax credit?
No. The federal clean-vehicle credit ended for vehicles delivered after September 30, 2025, so it is set to zero. State rebates for California, Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York are included when you pick the state.
How is the electricity cost estimated?
Miles driven, divided by the trim's rated efficiency, plus 10% for the energy lost between the wall and the battery, multiplied by your electricity rate. The default of $0.14 per kWh is close to the US residential average; a time-of-use EV rate can be half that.
What resale value does the calculator assume?
Fifteen percent depreciation in the first year and ten percent a year after that, for both the Tesla and the gas car. Real values vary with mileage, condition and the used market, so treat resale as the least certain line.
Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates for general information purposes only. Actual total cost of ownership will vary with your vehicle, financing terms, insurance rates, maintenance, energy prices, depreciation, and other factors. Incentives vary by location and eligibility. Prices are Tesla's published figures as of September 2026 and can change without notice. These tools should not be the sole basis for a financial decision.