Tesla Model X cost breakdown challenges belief that EVs save money over time and owner is unimpressed
Published on Jan 20, 2026 at 2:53 PM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Jan 20, 2026 at 2:53 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
The cost breakdown for a Tesla Model X EV has challenged the belief that EVs save money over time, leaving one EV owner severely unimpressed.
For many, the switch to electric cars feels like a no-brainer thanks to the amount of money that can be saved over longer periods of time due to not having to fill up with gas.
However, one owner from California has stated that high utility rates have destroyed his fuel savings and has expressed his displeasure online.
That displeasure was expressed on the r/TeslaModelX subreddit, and it’s challenging the assumption that electric cars are cheaper to run.
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Why this owner isn’t happy with his Tesla Model X
Reddit user TheForsaken69 shared his data on the subreddit, in which he said his Model X EV got the cost-equivalent of 25mpg.
This means he paid roughly what it would have cost if he had been getting 25 miles per gallon in a regular gasoline powered car.
He then said that in the winter, this costs $0.46 per kWh at off-peak times to recharge.
In the summer, he said it costs him $0.50 per kWh.
Comparatively, he said gas cost him $4.20 per gallon in California.
He said that was the equivalent of a car with 26mpg in the winter, and 24mpg in the summer.
He then provided an image of the Tesla app, which said he had $0 in gas savings.
He rounded off by saying, “I think it would be cheaper for my next car to be ICE.”
What did others say about his findings?
His post attracted a huge amount of feedback from people on both sides of the debate.
Many did notice the shift in prices when it came to electricity costs.
For example, some noted how Supercharging went from $0.05 per kWh to $0.50 per kWh in some parts of California.
Others, however, argued that those rates were at the high end and didn’t tip the balance back to gasoline.
But what it does seem to show is that the cost of utilities could have an impact on the cost of an electric car.
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Henry joined the Supercar Blondie team in February 2025, and since then has covered a wide array of topics ranging from EVs, American barn finds, and the odd Cold War jet. He’s combined his passion for cars with his keen interest in motorsport and his side hustle as a volunteer steam locomotive fireman at a leading heritage steam railway in England.
