Huge difference between what it costs US drivers to charge a Tesla monthly vs. using gas for a Nissan Altima
Published on Jul 15, 2025 at 3:33 PM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Jul 15, 2025 at 9:17 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
There is a huge difference between what it costs for US drivers to charge a Tesla EV monthly versus using gas to refuel a Nissan Altima.
The debate around which is cheaper to own and use, between EVs and internal-combustion engines, is an interesting one. Many have wondered what the real-world savings for an EV are.
Tesla is still one of the champions of the electric world. Conversely, the Nissan Altima is one of the most popular ICE sedans on sale in the United States.
Go Banking Rates took a look at the monthly operating costs of the two to see which one came out cheaper.
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How much do the monthly costs for the Nissan and Tesla differ?
According to the study, in order to fully charge a Tesla Model 3 or Model Y it’s going to cost you $35 to $60 per month, depending on usage.
That equates to around four to six cents per mile.
Compared to the Nissan Altima, which costs around $90 to $110 per month to refuel on gas.
That comes out at around nine to 11 cents per mile.
This means that Tesla owners could save $30 to $75 per month on fuel costs, compared to Altima owners.
Translated to an annual saving, that could be anywhere between $360 and $900.
EnergySage calculated that the cost of charging an EV is more than three times cheaper per mile.
The best way to charge a Tesla is at home
Charging a Tesla, or any other EV, at home is the most cost-effective way of recharging your vehicle.
That’s because the rates at home on a slower charge are less than using a public charger or a Supercharger.
SolarReviews conducted studies that said it costs between $10.98 and $18 to fully charge the car at home.
That can vary, of course, depending on local electricity rates, the specific model of car, and charging efficiency.
Tesla Superchargers are more expensive, and it can cost upwards of $25 to recharge an EV with one of them.
But there is a big gulf between the price of electric vehicle charging and filling up a gas tank.
It makes the case for switching to an electric car even more compelling than ever.
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Henry is a content writer with nearly ten years experience, having written for various publications since 2017. Qualifying with a Sports Journalism degree from Staffordshire University, Henry loves all things automotive but has a particular soft spot for classic Japanese cars and anything Lancia. He also has a curious passion for steam locomotives.
