Tesla Charging Cost in 2025: £4 to £30 in the UK

How Much Does It Really Cost to Charge a Tesla? (Hint: Way Less Than Gas

Published: June 29, 2025
By: The guy who borrowed his brother’s Tesla and freaked at how cheap it was to charge

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Last week, I borrowed my brother’s Tesla Model 3 for a weekend trip. I figured I’d be doing him a favor by topping it off before returning it. I braced myself at the Supercharger… and guess what?

It cost me less than a tenner. I’m not kidding. £9.83 for a nearly full charge. That’s when it hit me—charging a Tesla is seriously cheaper than fuelling up my own grumpy old Honda.

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Let’s Break It Down (UK & USA Example)

At home charging (off-peak rate):
If you’ve got a home charger and use an EV-friendly energy plan (like Octopus Go in the UK), you could be paying just 7p per kWh. For a Tesla Model 3 with a ~60 kWh battery, a full charge costs about £4.20. That’s insane savings compared to petrol.

In the U.S., it’s kinda the same vibe. At home, you might pay $0.12/kWh, so full charge = around $7. Not bad for over 250 miles of range.

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What About Superchargers?

Superchargers are a bit pricier but still way cheaper than gas.

• In the UK, Tesla Superchargers usually cost £0.45–£0.55 per kWh, depending on time of day. That’s around £25–£30 for a full charge.

• In the U.S., think around $0.25–$0.50/kWh, or $15–$20 per session, on average.

Still cheaper than filling up with petrol or diesel, which can be £60–£100 a tank these days.

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Wanna Save Even More?

Here are some tricks I’ve learned:

1. Charge at night.
   Electricity’s cheaper after 11pm on many UK energy plans. I plug in before bed. Done.

2. Use free chargers.
   Supermarkets like Tesco (UK) or Whole Foods (US) sometimes have free Level 2 chargers. Great for top-ups while shopping.

3. Avoid peak hours at Superchargers.
   Some sites charge more during busy times. If you see a queue, you’re probably paying more too.

4. Keep battery between 20–80%.
   It’s better for long-term battery health and charging is faster in that range anyway.

5. Use regen braking.
   Sounds nerdy, but it saves energy — especially in stop-and-go traffic. You’ll notice fewer charges over time.

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Real Talk: Is It Always Cheap?

Well… not always. If you rely 100% on Superchargers and drive a lot, the cost adds up. And home charger installation? That can cost £500–£1,000 upfront. But over time, you’ll likely save thousands.

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Quick Recap

• Home charging: £4–£6 for full charge (off-peak)

• Supercharging: £25–£30 full charge in UK

• Gas tank equivalent: £80+

Learn More:  Here