Ever since its launch in 2003, Tesla, along with its unique and modern technology has played a pivotal role in shifting consumers to electric vehicles.
Unlike traditional automobiles that depend on fossil fuel combustion for energy, a Tesla electric car is designed to function on a battery pack and a motor.
So how much electricity does a Tesla electric car use? The amount of electricity that a Tesla electric car will consume depends on multiple factors.
How Much Electricity Does a Tesla Electric Car Use?
All Tesla electric cars are designed to run solely on an electric charge.
When we talk about an electric car’s electricity usage, we look at how much electricity is needed to charge the EV and how much electricity it uses per commute.
The exact amount of electricity that a Tesla electric car will require for either a complete recharge or to travel a certain distance will depend on multiple different factors.
Some factors that can influence a Tesla electric car’s electricity requirements and consumption are as follows:
- The particular model of a Tesla electric car
- The particular year of manufacturing of the Tesla electric car model
- The charging source that the Tesla owner uses to charge their car
- The condition and electric charge storing capacity of the Tesla electric car’s battery
- The way the Tesla driver drives their electric vehicle
Continue reading the remaining article below to learn in greater detail about how a Tesla electric car uses electricity and how much electricity is used and consumed by each individual Tesla model.
Moreover, the article will also shed light on essential tips that will help a consumer reduce their Tesla electric vehicle’s electricity consumption to make the battery last longer.
Let’s get started!
What is a Tesla Electric Car?
Elon Musk designed Tesla electric cars in order to reduce the global dependency on non-renewable fossil fuel reserves and to save the environment from further damage.
Musk is known to be the true pioneer of electric vehicle technology and has managed to create futuristic automobiles that can run completely on electricity.
Due to the Tesla electric car’s modern design, consumers who are passionate about the environment as well as people who simply are interested in newer car technology, have shifted to using Tesla EVs across the globe.
Consumers are able to control their fossil fuel expenses and enjoy a significantly cheaper recharge at home and through different public charging stations.
Read What to Know Before Buying a Tesla Electric Vehicle
How Does a Tesla Electric Car Use Electricity?
In order to cater to the different consumer needs and preferences, Tesla has articulately designed and launched Tesla EV models that come with different unique features and distinct design attributes.
However, despite the many differences, all Tesla electric vehicles are designed to create kinetic energy through the same mechanism that requires electricity.
When a Tesla electric car is attached to a charging source, the EV’s battery pack begins to pull in the electricity from the supply.
The Tesla EV’s battery pack is able to store the amount of electric charge according to its respective capacity. It takes this electrical energy and turns it into chemical energy.
When the Tesla electric car is started, the EV’s electrical motor uses the electric battery’s stored chemical charge and converts it into kinetic energy.
The heat energy produced during this process is either restored back to the battery through the Tesla EV’s unique regenerative braking system or gets lost in the external environment.
The Tesla EV’s built-in energy transmitters carry this kinetic energy to the electric vehicle’s tires. As a result, the Tesla electric car gains mobility and is able to accelerate as more energy is supplied.
Read How Much Money Do You Save with a Tesla Electric Car?
What Are the Different Factors that Affect a Tesla Electric Car’s Electricity Usage?
While all Tesla electric vehicles work in pretty much the same way, the electricity requirements of different Tesla EVs will vary with different factors.
The Particular Tesla Model
Tesla has launched a series of different EV models to cater to all kinds of unique consumer requirements. It has a variety of different sedans, all-wheel-drive SUVs, high-power trucks, and even sports cars.
Every single Tesla electric car model has its unique design, purpose, consumer audience, and size. Hence, all models require different amounts of electrical energy to recharge and to travel the same distance.
Tesla Model 3 Electric Sedan
The Tesla Model 3 electric car is a compact five-seater sedan, one of the lightest and best-selling electric automobiles launched by the brand.
Due to its compact design and relatively lower curb weight (3582 Lbs. to 4065 Lbs.), the Model 3 uses the least amount of electricity to fully recharge.
Moreover, different Model 3 versions come with different-sized battery packs that have their own unique electricity requirements.
The Standard Range Plus Model 3 electric sedan comes with a battery pack that approximately requires 50 kWh of electricity to get fully recharged.
The usable electrical capacity is nearly 40 kWh, which allows the Model 3 EV to travel for 165 miles on a full recharge.
On the other hand, the Long-Range Tesla Model 3 electric sedan comes with a relatively larger battery pack that requires 82 kWh of electricity for a full charge. This sedan offers nearly 353 miles of range on a full recharge.
In general, a Tesla Model 3 electric sedan will use almost 0.34 kWh of electricity to travel a distance of 1 mile. The EV will need 34 kWh of electric charge to travel 100 miles.
Read How Much To Wrap Tesla Model 3
Tesla Model S Electric Sedan
The Tesla Model S sedan came shortly after the Model 3, and was designed to cater to the consumer audience that needed a more luxurious Tesla sedan.
The Model S electric sedan is heavier (4323 Lbs. to 4960 Lbs.), and hence it requires a larger powertrain to pull the weight of its body and passengers.
As a result, the Model S EV has greater electricity requirements than the Model 3 sedan.
In general, the Tesla Model S Standard Range sedan requires 75 kWh of electricity for a full recharge. The luxurious sedan is able to offer a range of 270 miles on a single charge.
On the other hand, charging the battery of a Tesla Model S Long Range requires nearly 100 kWh of electricity, which allows the EV to travel nearly 335 miles on a single charge.
In general, a Tesla Model S electric sedan will use almost 0.28 kWh of electricity to travel a distance of 1 mile. The EV will need 28 kWh of electric charge to travel 100 miles.
Tesla Model X Electric All-drive SUV
The Model X was the first-ever SUV introduced by Tesla in order to cater to an audience who wished to enjoy driving on rough terrains and needed more passenger space.
The Model X SUV is an extremely heavy electric vehicle (5072 Lbs. to 5531 Lbs.), and hence it requires a massive battery pack to pull its weight while maintaining quality performance.
The Model X SUV was introduced in multiple different variants, such as the 75D, P90D, 100D, etc. The electricity requirement of the 75D is 75 kWh, the P90D is 90 kWh, and the 100D is 100 kWh.
The Model X 75D is able to offer a range of 238 miles; whereas, the Model P90D offers 249 miles and the Model 100 D offers 295 miles on a single recharge.
In general, a Tesla Model X electric SUV will use almost 0.34 kWh of electricity to travel a distance of 1 mile. The EV will need 34 kWh of electric charge to travel 100 miles.
Read How Much Does a Tesla Weigh?
Tesla Model Y Electric All-drive SUV
Soon after the Model X SUV’s global popularity hit its peak, Tesla launched the more luxurious Model Y SUV, which was more expensive and came with more features.
Just like the Model X SUV, the Model Y is an extremely heavy SUV that needs a massive battery pack to match its size.
The Model Y SUV also comes in different variants; namely, the Performance Range, the Standard Range, and the Long Range.
The Performance Range SUV’s battery requires an influx of 75 kWh of electricity for a full recharge. This allows the luxury SUV to travel an estimated range of 303 miles per charge.
The Model Y Standard Range SUV’s battery also requires an influx of 75 kWh of electricity for a full charge. This allows the standard range SUV to travel an estimated range of 244 miles per charge.
Just like the other two variants, the Model Y Long Range SUV’s battery also requires an influx of 75 kWh of electricity to get fully recharged. This allows the electric SUV to travel an estimated range of 326 miles per charge.
In general, a Tesla Model Y luxury electric SUV will use almost 0.28 kWh of electricity to travel a distance of 1 mile. The EV will need 28 kWh of electric charge to travel 100 miles.
The Particular Year of Manufacturing
In order to remain competitive, Tesla has constantly revised its different EV Models over the years. The newer models are revised and improved to have better energy efficiency systems and longer ranges.
Hence, a Tesla electric vehicle that has been manufactured in more recent years will have greater efficiency and will thus consume less electric charge to travel 100 miles.
Read How Many Solar Panels Are Needed to Charge a Tesla?
The Charging Source that the Tesla Owner Uses
A Tesla owner has different options when it comes to recharging their EVs. They can use the Tesla-provided at-home chargers, or they can use a fast DC public charging station to recharge their EV’s battery.
The source of charging most frequently used by the Tesla EV will greatly affect its battery’s range and charge storing capacity.
The at-home charging system charges the Tesla’s battery slowly, which protects the Tesla’s battery range and capacity from damage.
If the owner frequently uses fast public DC charging stations, they will end up dealing with a reduced battery range and capacity.
As a result, the Tesla battery won’t be able to store the required amount of electricity and will not cover the same amount of distance per charge.
A great tip to remember here is to use the at-home charging system provided by Tesla as frequently as possible.
The Condition and Electric Charge Storing Capacity of the Battery
A Tesla battery that has been treated poorly, only recharged after a complete depletion, or not been repaired on time will lose some of its charge storing capacity forever.
As a result, a full recharge will require less electricity as it will not be able to store more charge.
A tip here is to develop and follow a regular Tesla recharging routine, and to visit a workshop as soon as the battery begins to show signs of damage.
Read What Happens if Your Tesla Runs Out of Battery?
The Way the Tesla Driver Drives their Electric Vehicle
- If a driver hits accelerates rapidly and frequently, their battery consumption will go up and the EV will have to be recharged more often.
- If the driver hits the brakes too frequently and makes shorter trips, the battery consumption will go up and the EV will have to be recharged more often.
- If the driver frequently drives their Tesla over steep slopes, the battery will lose range and will need to be recharged more often.
The tip here is to drive the Tesla at controlled speeds and maintain your acceleration for as long as possible. Moreover, the driver should always try to choose less arduous routes to reach their destination.
Final Thoughts
A Tesla electric car’s complete dependency on electric charging helps reduce the global demand for fossil fuel.
Although charging a Tesla EV can sometimes get expensive, especially when using commercial electricity in a region where the per-unit cost of electricity is high, one can always bring the annual costs of recharging their Tesla down.
By using the at-home charging station, solar energy, and the free Tesla destination chargers, one can make charging up a Tesla much more affordable.
You may also like the Tesla electric car articles:
- How Long Will a Tesla Battery Last?
- How Much Time Does It Take to Charge a Tesla
- Why Is Tesla Better Than Other Electric Cars?
- How to Reboot and Restart a Tesla Electric Vehicle’s Screen?
- How Much to Rent a Tesla?
My name is Matthew, staying in Seattle, Washington. Electric Vehicles (Electric Cars & Electric bikes) caught my attention for the last few years and my love for electric cars and bikes is everlasting. I spend many of my weekends traveling to various places all over various cities with my electric vehicle (e-bike and electric car). Here I am sharing my expertise, experience, and invaluable information about electric cars and electric bikes. Check out more.