Tesla Model 3 Running Costs UK 2026
Standard Range RWD (2024 Highland)
Last updated: July 2026
Cost per mile
6.4p
home 26.1p/kWh
Annual (10k mi)
£895
80% home
Real-world range
280 mi
WLTP: 341 mi
Peak DC charge
170kW
CCS
The Tesla Model 3 remains one of the most efficient electric saloons on the UK market. The 2024 Highland refresh brought a revised interior and improved aerodynamics — efficiency and range improved meaningfully over the previous generation. At 4.1 miles per kWh in real-world UK driving, it's among the cheapest EVs to run per mile.
Running costs: Tesla Model 3
At the current home tariff of 26.1p/kWh (the Ofgem price cap rate for July–September 2026), the Model 3 costs approximately 6.4p per mile — roughly a third of the fuel cost of a comparable petrol saloon. On a dedicated overnight EV tariff like Octopus Go at 7p/kWh, this drops to just 1.7p per mile. High mileage drivers in particular benefit from the Model 3's efficiency, and the Supercharger network offers competitive on-route pricing compared with other public DC networks.
| Annual mileage | 100% home (26.1p) | 80% home / 20% public | 50/50 split |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 miles | £509 | £716 | £1025 |
| 10,000 miles | £637 | £895 | £1282 |
| 12,000 miles | £764 | £1074 | £1538 |
| 15,000 miles | £955 | £1342 | £1923 |
| 20,000 miles | £1273 | £1789 | £2563 |
Public charging rate: 79p/kWh. Costs calculated on real-world efficiency of 4.1 mi/kWh.
Charging
Peak DC charging speed is 170kW on the 2024 Highland, with a 250kW option on Long Range variants. The Supercharger network is the strongest single-brand network in the UK, with reliable high-speed coverage on most major routes. Tesla also supports CCS for use on third-party networks.
Battery capacity
60 kWh
Peak DC charge
170kW
Charge port
CCS (DC) / Type 2 (AC)
Efficiency
4.1 mi/kWh
Key fact
At 10,000 miles per year with 80% home charging, the Model 3 costs approximately £895 in electricity — versus £1,745 for a comparable 40 MPG petrol saloon at July 2026 fuel prices.
Who is the Model 3 best suited for?
Best for
- ✓High mileage drivers
- ✓Motorway commuters
- ✓Home charger owners
- ✓Those comparing against BMW 3 Series or Audi A4
Less ideal for
- !Large families needing seven seats
- !Drivers without off-street parking
- !Those wanting an SUV ride height
Compare against your current car
Enter your mileage, charging habits, and fuel cost to see exactly what switching to the Model 3 would save you.
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Model 3 head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Tesla Model 3 cost per mile in the UK?
At a standard home tariff of 26.1p/kWh (the Ofgem price cap rate for July–September 2026), the Tesla Model 3 costs approximately 6.4p per mile. On an overnight EV tariff at 7p/kWh, this drops to 1.7p per mile.
What is the real-world range of the Tesla Model 3?
The Tesla Model 3 has a real-world range of approximately 280 miles in typical UK mixed driving conditions. The official WLTP figure is 341 miles, which is measured under standardised test conditions and is typically higher than real-world performance.
How fast does the Tesla Model 3 charge?
The Tesla Model 3 supports up to 170kW DC fast charging via CCS (DC) / Type 2 (AC). AC home charging is also supported. The charge time from 10–80% varies depending on the available charger speed.
How much does it cost to run a Tesla Model 3 per year in the UK?
At 10,000 miles per year and 80% home charging (26.1p/kWh) with 20% public charging (79p/kWh), the Tesla Model 3 costs approximately £895 per year in electricity.