How much does it cost to charge an electric car in Tennessee?
Tennessee has some of the cheaper home electricity in the country — 18% below the national average — which is the single biggest reason EVs are cheap to run here. Gas is relatively cheap at about $2.85 a gallon (19% below the $3.50 reference), so a thrifty gas car stays more competitive.
At Tennessee's average rate, adding 100 miles to a Model 3 costs about $3.28 at home, and a full 60 kWh charge costs about $7.86. Over a year of 13,500 miles with 85% home charging, the EV charging cost in Tennessee comes to about $604 — roughly $50 a month. The U.S. average for the same car is $687.
EV charging cost in Tennessee: home vs station
Home charging at $0.131 per kWh works out to 3.3¢ a mile in a Model 3. Public DC fast charging, often around $0.45 per kWh, is 11.3¢ a mile. If you could only fast charge, the yearly bill would be about $1,519, which is $316 more than gas. Ask your utility about EV or time-of-use plans; overnight rates are frequently well below the average shown here.
EV vs gas cost per mile in Tennessee
| Vehicle | Per mile | Per year | 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 | 4.5¢ | $604 | $3,018 |
| Tesla Model Y | 5.0¢ | $676 | $3,380 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 5.4¢ | $724 | $3,622 |
| Ford F-150 Lightning | 8.6¢ | $1,159 | $5,795 |
| Honda Civic | 8.1¢ | $1,099 | $5,496 |
| Toyota Camry | 8.9¢ | $1,202 | $6,012 |
| Honda CR-V | 10.2¢ | $1,374 | $6,871 |
| Ford F-150 | 14.2¢ | $1,924 | $9,619 |
EV rows use the blended 85% home / 15% fast-charging price of $0.179 per kWh. Fuel only — maintenance and purchase price are in the calculator.
Is an electric car worth it in Tennessee?
Tennessee ranks #24 of 50 for EV fuel savings — middle of the pack. For the Model 3 to cost the same to fuel as a Camry, gas in Tennessee would have to drop to about $1.43 a gallon. Add lower upkeep — no oil changes and less brake wear — and the yearly gap typically grows by a few hundred dollars. Whether the switch pays off depends mostly on the price difference you pay up front; enter it in the payback field above.
Nearby in the ranking: Pennsylvania ($607/yr), Indiana ($606/yr), Georgia ($598/yr), Louisiana ($593/yr). Compare all 50 states.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to charge a Tesla in Tennessee?
At about 13.1¢ per kWh, a Model 3 (25 kWh/100 mi) costs roughly 3.3¢ a mile at home and a Model Y (28 kWh/100 mi) about 3.7¢. A full 75 kWh charge is about $9.83 at home; Supercharger and other fast-charging prices are higher and vary by location and time.
Is it cheaper to drive electric than gas in Tennessee?
Yes. With mostly home charging, an efficient EV saves about $599 a year in fuel compared with a 32 MPG car at Tennessee's average prices.
What is the average electricity rate in Tennessee?
Our preset uses about 13.1¢ per kWh, a rounded residential average based on U.S. EIA state data. Your bill can differ by utility, season and plan — use the per-kWh total from your own bill for the best estimate.
How much is gas in Tennessee?
The preset uses about $2.85 per gallon of regular, a rounded statewide average. Pump prices change weekly, so type today's local price into the calculator.