Tesla Cost to Own

Name: Tesla 5-year cost to own by model
Creator: CarWhere Research
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

By CarWhere Research · Updated November 6, 2026

Over 5 years and 75,000 miles, Tesla models use from about $3,554 (Model Y) to $4,166 (Model S) in electricity at EPA ratings and EIA national prices. Insurance at the national average adds $6,410; CarWhere's depreciation study doesn't cover these models yet.

Tesla models compared

5 years, 75,000 miles, bought new. Total = depreciation + fuel + national-average insurance ($6,410).

Tesla: 5-year cost lines by model
Model	Depreciation	Fuel / energy	5-yr total
Model Y	—	$3,554	—
Model 3	—	$3,592	—
Model S	—	$4,166	—

— = no citable figure. Insurance varies by driver, location and coverage; see car insurance cost by state.

Tesla maintenance schedule

Tesla scheduled maintenance (manufacturer schedule; items paraphrased)
Interval	Items	Source
Every 6,250 miles (or 2/32 in tread-depth difference)	Rotate tires	Model 3 Do It Yourself — Vehicle Service Intervals (service.tesla.com)
Every year	Replace wiper blades Clean and lubricate brake calipers every year or 12,500 miles, in areas where roads are salted in winter	Model 3 Do It Yourself — Vehicle Service Intervals (service.tesla.com)
Every 2 years	Replace cabin air filter (Model 3, Model Y)	Model 3 Do It Yourself — Vehicle Service Intervals (service.tesla.com)
Every 3 years	Replace cabin air filter (Model S) Replace HEPA filter(s) where equipped (Model S, Model Y; Model Y carbon filters too)	Model S Do It Yourself — Vehicle Service Intervals (service.tesla.com)
Every 4 years	Brake fluid health check, replace if needed (sooner with towing, mountain descents or performance driving, especially in hot/humid climates)	Model 3 Do It Yourself — Vehicle Service Intervals (service.tesla.com)
Every 6 years (older Model 3 only)	Replace A/C desiccant bag on Model 3 built before about 2021	Model 3 Do It Yourself — Vehicle Service Intervals (service.tesla.com)

More Tesla research

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to own a Tesla?

Sources and method

Each model line follows the same formula as the model pages: depreciation from CarWhere’s used-market study, fuel from EPA ratings × EIA national prices, insurance from NAIC’s national average. Maintenance comes from the manufacturer’s own schedule.

Fuel economy data (vehicles.csv) — U.S. EPA / DOE, fueleconomy.gov
Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A — U.S. Energy Information Administration (August 2026)
Auto Insurance Database Report (average expenditure) — NAIC, via CarWhere state study (2023 data)
Model 3 Do It Yourself — Vehicle Service Intervals (service.tesla.com) — Tesla
Model Y Do It Yourself — Vehicle Service Intervals (service.tesla.com) — Tesla
Model S Do It Yourself — Vehicle Service Intervals (service.tesla.com) — Tesla