Driving The 2022 Tesla Model 3
The Tesla brand has a well-earned reputation for building electric cars that are thrilling to drive. The Model 3 is no exception. Even in the base single-motor configuration, the electric motor eagerly delivers plentiful torque to the rear wheels. The well-tuned chassis has a rewarding driving experience with taut handling and accurate steering.
The drive gets more exciting if you upgrade to the Long Range dual-motor model with its 4.2-second 0-60 mph time. It also adds all-wheel drive and has the longest range in the Model 3 lineup.
The top Performance model achieves a 0-60 time of just 3.1 seconds. Thats supercar-like acceleration in a sedan just over $60,000. The Performance model also adds performance brakes and a lowered suspension to improve the drive further.
One thing we love about how the Model 3 drives is its customizability. The throttle response, brake feel, and steering weight are all adjustable to your liking. No matter how you customize it, the Model 3 is quiet, comfortable, and enjoyable to drive.
How Much Does Tesla Car Insurance Cost
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The high cost of a Tesla doesnt stop at its price tag. Insurance for a Tesla tends to be significantly more expensive than that of other popular vehicles, despite high safety ratings.
Still, rates can vary drastically, even among different Tesla models. Below are the average annual insurance rates by Tesla model, ranked from cheapest to most expensive:
These rates are for full coverage insurance for good drivers with good credit.
But these are just averages. Your rate will vary based on variables like location and insurance company. To get a better idea of what to expect, NerdWallet checked full coverage insurance rates from the nations largest auto insurers on the lowest-priced Tesla, the Model 3, in every state. Heres what we found.
Tesla Model S Long Range: $94990
Remember when the Model S cost $69,420? Those days were nice. Now, the cheapest Model S starts at a whopping $94,990. While its price is far more expensive, it does offer way more features, like a steering wheel that sort of works. All aside, with 405 miles of range and a 3.1 second zero to sixty run, the new Model S is a very capable luxury sedan.
- Range: 405 miles
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How Much Does A Tesla Cost Per Month
The monthly cost for any car includes the cost of insurance, the cost for fuel, and the cost of maintenance. For a Tesla vehicle, the cost of insurance is somewhat higher than the cost for an equivalent ICE vehicle. The cost of fuel is considerably less than half of the cost of an ICE vehicle-a significant saving.
The average cost of maintenance is considerably less because there is less to maintain .
Who Can Use Tesla Superchargers

Tesla superchargers were initially designed to charge Tesla vehicles only. But Tesla plans to open up superchargers to everyone now.
As per the White House fact sheet, Tesla will make its supercharger network accessible to non-Tesla EV drivers by the end of 2022.
It’s making this move to get a share of the $7.5 billion allocated by the Biden administration to help expand the EV charging network in the US.
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What Is A Tesla Powerwall
The Tesla Powerwall is a lithium solar battery storage system and a revolutionary home battery with one of the largest energy capacities available on the market today.
When integrated with solar, the Tesla Powerwall 2.0 stores excess solar energy generated at daytime and avails it when needed. This keeps the home self-powered through outages while minimizing reliance on the grid.
Combined with solar panels and the Tesla Solar Roof, it provides an incredible energy storage solution capable of storing energy at home, detecting outages and automatically supplying a homes energy when the grid is down.
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Why Insuring A Tesla Is So Expensive
The more your car costs, the more expensive it is to insure. If youre in an accident and need repairs, your collision insurance will cover these costs unless the crash was someone elses fault. And if your Tesla is stolen, itll cost your insurer more to replace it than a less-expensive vehicle. Because of that, insurers will charge you more for that coverage.
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Model 3 Long Range $55990
Teslas Model 3 has seen its range bumped to an impressive 329 miles, as its price climbed from $49,990 on July 22, 2021, to $55,990. Coupled with the robust Tesla Supercharger network, cross-country road trips can be a reality in this sedan.
Range: 329 miles Topspeed: 145 mph Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds
Software Updates And Upgrades
Tesla vehicles’ software is regularly updated over-the-air when new software and firmware versions are released. This allows the cars to remain up to date and improve after purchase. Tesla also offers the option to unlock features in the car through over-the-air software upgrades after purchase. Available upgrades include basic Autopilot, Full Self Driving, acceleration boost , and rear-heated seats .
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Model 3 Prices: The Cheapest Tesla
When we say that the Model 3 is the most affordable Tesla, that doesnt necessarily mean it doesnt cost a lot, especially in 2022. You may recall that when Tesla first introduced the Model 3 in 2016, it was aiming to deliver at at a price below $35,000 and did for a very short period of time.
Over the past two years especially, Model 3 prices have continuously fluctuated, but have trended upward overall quite a bit if were being honest.
First and foremost, its important to preface these prices by stating that they are accurate at the time of this post, but Tesla likes to keep us all on our toes, so that could certainly change. We will try our best to keep this article updated with the latest pricing for you. Lets dig in.
Currently, the Rear-Wheel Drive trim of the Tesla Model 3 starts at an MSRP of $46,990 with zero upgrades, not including any taxes, destination, or other fees.
To give you the full price range of the Model 3, we also priced it loaded with every available upgrade including red paint, 19 Sport Wheels, black and white interior, plus the perpetually forthcoming full-self driving capability for an additional $15,000. All in, the fully-loaded RWD Model 3 costs $66,490.
If you dont want to spring for full-self driving capabilities, Tesla offers a less robust add-ons called Enhanced Autopilot that delivers features like auto lane change, autopark, and navigation on autopilot. That option is only $6,000 rather than the $15k mentioned above.
Is Tesla Battery Cost Expensive
Yes, Teslaâs batteries are among the most expensive on the market but also some of the most advanced. The cost of a Tesla battery will vary depending on the size and type of vehicle. For example, replacing a Tesla battery for the Model S premium sedan costs around $13,000-$20,000.
A few things make the tesla battery expensive:
- Tesla batteries are of higher quality, making them more durable and longer lasting.
- Tesla batteries come with a warranty, which adds to the cost.
- Tesla batteryâs production costs are high due to the companyâs focus on quality.
- Tesla batteries are made with lithium-ion cells, which are more expensive than lead-acid cells.
- Tesla batteries have a higher capacity than lead-acid batteries to store more energy.
However, Tesla batteries are designed to last for many years and miles, so they may ultimately save money in the long run.
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Solar Panels Vs Tesla Solar Roof: Which One Is Better
Generally speaking, on a per watt average cost, Teslas Solar Roof is actually pretty reasonable, all things considered. According to some estimates, in the United States, Teslas come in at around $1.80 per watt. Traditional solar PV panels tend to cost around $3.00 per watt.
However, any direct comparison between the two is complicated by a few factors. The first is that Teslas Solar Roof is not just some PV solar panels but actually a new roof and some PV panels in one package.
Traditional solar PV panels are where your roof can handle it, simply mounted to an existing roof without needing to replace it. So, in order to provide a fair comparison, well need to do a like-for-like summing up.
For the second example we gave above, a similar install would require the old roof to be removed and replaced with new roofing. This would cost around $935 for the tear-down and $11,900 for the new roof. If a 6.14 kW solar panel array was then also added at a cost of $3.00 per watt, the total cost for all works should be in the order of $18,420, give or take.
Based on this kind of comparison, the Tesla Solar Roof is clearly quite a bit more expensive just under 40% more in fact.
However, remember a large part of this additional cost is Teslas relatively higher rates for roof tear-downs and disposal. Additionally, the replacement roof material is much more expensive than something like asphalt shingles.
sl-f/iStock
So, how do they stack up on the payback front?
Model S Plaid $135990

Tesla’s Model S Plaid is no regular sedan, with a top speed of 200 mph and a price tag of $135,000. The price of the vehicle was $129,990 on July 8, 2021.
Model S Plaid uses three motors to produce 1,020 horsepower and can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 1.99 seconds, and covers a quarter of a mile in less than ten seconds. The vehicle weights 4,766 lbs .
Range: 348 miles Top speed: 200 miles Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 1.99 seconds
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Range Charging And Battery Life
Under the Tesla’s floor lies a battery pack that yields a low center of gravity and evenly distributed weight from front to rear. Driving range and acceleration performance varies from model to model, with the base version’s battery providing up to a 412-mile range while the Plaid model offers up to 390. Upstart Lucid Motors says its Air luxury sedan is rated for up to 517 miles per charge.
How Long Do Tesla Batteries Last
Never be so concerned if youre looking at Tesla battery replacement costs while preparing for a future replacement. According to Tesla, Model X and Model S retain 90 percent capacity even after reaching 200,000 miles. Since we drive around 14,000 miles a year, it would take at least 15 years for your Tesla car to reach the 200,000-mile mark. Because the average American keeps their car for around 12 years, theres a slight chance youll need to replace your Teslas battery during its lifetime.
On the other hand, the current battery modules should last 300,000 to 500,000 miles or 1,500 cycles. So, you may have to do Tesla battery replacement once or twice during the vehicles lifetime. The company will handle the necessary repairs if the battery capacity falls below 70% during the warranty period.
How can you extend Teslas battery life? Here are some tips!
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Cost To Charge At A Tesla Supercharger
Currently, the average commercial cost of electricity in the US is $0.11 per kWh. Accounting for 95% charging efficiency, it will cost a Tesla Model Y owner roughly $8.68 to charge on a Supercharger or DCFC equivalent.
In terms of mileage, the Long Range Model Y costs approximately $0.027 per mile or $2.66 per 100 miles. The Performance Model Y costs about $0.029 per mile and $2.87 for 100 miles of range.
You can check out how much it costs to charge a Tesla in greater detail here. Especially if youre wondering what charging efficiency is.
Cost Of Charging A Tesla And Gas Savings
Being an electric-powered car, you no longer have to buy gas to get around places when you own a Tesla. That being said, fueling your car is not free either â charging a Tesla requires a good deal of energy. So will the electricity bill be less or more than the gas bill?
On average, a Tesla Model S will need about 3 kWh per mile. Electricity in the U.S. costs an average 12 cents per kWH. Similar luxury cars to the Tesla Model S get around 25 miles per gallon, meaning if you drive the following amount of miles per year assuming an average gas price of $2.29:
Mileage | |
---|---|
$600 | $774 |
As you can see, the more miles you drive with your Tesla, the more you will actually save. We should note though that the miles your Tesla gets per charge depends on numerous circumstances. Cold external temperatures give you fewer miles per charge â so if you drive your Tesla in generally colder areas you may need to pay more per charge. Driving with the heat on also gives you fewer miles per charge.
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How Much Does A Tesla Cost In 2022 New & Used Prices
Electric vehicles have soared in popularity throughout the past yearand it looks like that isnt going to slow down anytime soon. At the forefront of this EV surge is Teslathe most popular and successful electric vehicle manufacturer.
This success has lead to a ton of interest in Tesla cars and vehicles, prompting people to ask questions like How much does a Tesla cost? or How much is used Tesla?
These are great questions, and at Find My Electric we love educating prospective Tesla buyers on the market in order to help them find the best deal possible!
In this blog post, were going to cover both new and used Tesla prices for 2021, and also drop some knowledge on finding the best deal on a Tesla! Sound good? Alright, lets dive in!
How Much Is A Tesla Semi Truck
In 2022, the Tesla Semi ranges in cost from $150,000 $200,000 and requires a $5,000 reservation deposit with a $15,000 wire transfer payment due within the first 10 days.
The $150,000 Tesla Semi is said to have 300 miles of range, and the $180,000 Semi is rumored to have 500 miles of range. Finally, the Founders Series Tesla Semi is available for $200,000 and requires a $195,000 wire payment due within the first 10 days of reservation.
Used Tesla Semi prices arent available yet because the Semi has not yet been produced, but we estimate it will range in cost from $135,000 $190,000 depending upon mileage, condition, options, and other factors.
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How The Math Works Out
Theres no doubt about it, Tesla is making some great vehicles in the electric space. But, they definitely do not come without a cost. Whether or not a Tesla is worth it to you comes down to your personal finances, and how important it is for you to own an electric vehicle. If you can afford a Tesla, and live in a place with charging stations, then this investment might be worth it.
Assuming you have good credit and are able to finance your new car at the current rates of 2.49% APR for 72 months, with roughly 10% as a down payment this is what the price breakdown between the two vehicles looks like. We ran these numbers over a six-year period , meaning everything you see here includes your expenses for the first six years of ownership.
Six-year cost of vehicle | |
$133,621 | $60,370 |
*Based on a 2.49% APR for fair to excellent credit and down payment of approximately 9%. Actual amounts could vary based on vehicle options, taxes, and registration fees.**Includes initial cost of buying a charging station plus electricity to charge the vehicle for six years at $555 per year.
For anyone looking at this and wondering why were comparing a luxury electric car to a Camry, its because were comparing whats currently the most popular Tesla against a well-known fuel-efficient vehicle. But for further context, heres the breakdown of buying a Tesla Model 3 as well.
Six-year cost of vehicle | |
$67,543 | $60,383 |
X Tesla Roadster: Pricing Removed

Talks of an updated Roadster began circulating as early as 2011. With more delays than a budget airline flight, the refreshed Tesla Roadster should surely come out soon. Well, its actually unlikely to come out soon because the Cybertruck, which has been delayed, is prioritized for production. However, the Roadster should be worth the wait because it will provide disturbingly quick performance numbers: 620 miles of range and a 1.9 second 0-60 run in the base model. A more powerful SpaceX Edition is also underway, and since its equipped with cold air thrusters, expect a zero to sixty time of around 1.1 seconds.
- Range: 620 miles
- Acceleration: 0-60 in < 1.9 seconds
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Tesla Model 3 Long Range: $51990
The Tesla Model 3 Long Range continues to pack a massive punch in the range and power department, all for a reasonable price. The 2022 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD costs $51,990 and can provide 353 miles of range, which makes it the cheapest 350+ mile EV. Complementing the range is a rapid zero to sixty time of just 4.2 seconds.
- Range: 353 miles