Model 3 with home charging
A Model 3 covering 10,000 miles a year can have a large energy-cost advantage when most charging happens at home. Whether it wins overall depends mainly on purchase price and resale value.
Tesla Total Cost of Ownership
Compare the full cost of a Tesla and a petrol car—not just charging versus fuel.
Your comparison
£
£
years
miles
50%
45%
£
£
80%
p/kWh
p/kWh
mpg
p/litre
5-year Tesla cost
£32,773
£546 per month
5-year petrol cost
£36,054
£601 per month
Tesla difference
£3,281
Estimated saving versus petrol
Cost breakdown
CostTeslaPetrolDepreciation£20,995£17,600Energy / fuel£4,218£8,979Road tax£810£975Insurance, service & tyres£6,750£8,500
Finance interest, repairs, parking, congestion charges and grants are excluded. Depreciation is usually the largest cost, so replace the retained-value assumptions with your own expected resale values.
How this calculator works
The calculation adds depreciation, energy or fuel, road tax, insurance and maintenance over the ownership period, then subtracts the expected resale value through the retained-value percentage.
The assumptions are editable because insurance, depreciation and charging access vary more than official rates. For financed cars, add the total interest to the relevant purchase cost before comparing.
Data quality
Last updated 5 September 2026
Rates can change. Use your own quote, tariff or vehicle documents where available.
Worked examples
Model Y using rapid chargers
A Model Y charged mainly on public rapid networks costs much more per mile than one using an EV tariff. Adjust the charging mix before trusting the comparison.
Frequently asked questions
What costs should I include when comparing a Tesla with a petrol car?+
Include depreciation, finance interest, energy or fuel, insurance, road tax, servicing, tyres and likely repairs. Depreciation is often the largest item and should not be omitted.
Is a Tesla always cheaper to own than a petrol car?+
No. Lower energy and routine-service costs can be offset by a higher purchase price, depreciation, insurance or public rapid-charging costs. The answer depends heavily on mileage, charging access and resale value.
Does the calculator include Tesla road tax?+
Yes. It estimates the current first-year and standard EV rates, and includes the Expensive Car Supplement when the selected Tesla's list price is over the current £50,000 threshold. Future rates may change.
Related tools and guides
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