What it costs to charge a 2026 Tesla Model 3 in South Carolina
Short answer
Charging at home 1,000 miles a month at 15.8¢ per kWh. That's 4.2¢ a mile and $501 a year.
A full charge at home costs about $14.46, for 346 miles of EPA range.
South Carolina's average home electricity rate, September 2025 to August 2026 (EIA).
Change the version, miles or price
- Per year
- $501
- Per mile
- 4.2¢
- Over 5 years
- $2,507
- Full charge
- $14.46
Every 2026 Model 3 version in South Carolina
| Version | Drive | EPA rating | Per month | Full charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model 3 Standard RWD | RWD | 24.3 kWh/100 mi | $38 | $12.35321 mi |
| Model 3 Premium RWD | RWD | 24.6 kWh/100 mi | $39 | $14.14363 mi |
| Model 3 Premium AWD(used in headline figures) | AWD | 26.4 kWh/100 mi | $42 | $14.46346 mi |
| Model 3 Performance | AWD | 29.6 kWh/100 mi | $47 | $14.48309 mi |
| Model 3 Performance AWD | AWD | 30.2 kWh/100 mi | $48 | $15.01314 mi |
Model 3 vs. Toyota RAV4 in South Carolina
The Model 3 costs about $531 a year less to run here.Counting South Carolina's $60 EV fee and $30 hybrid fee, the saving is about $501.
See the break-evenSouth Carolina charges EVs $60 a year
On top of the registration every car pays, South Carolina charges electric cars an extra $60 a year, about $5 a month. It is paid as $120 every two years.
States charge these fees in place of the gas tax an electric car never pays. Driven the same 1,000 miles a month here, the Toyota RAV4 (41 mpg) pays about $138 a year in state and federal gas tax, plus South Carolina's $30 hybrid fee.
EV fee: U.S. Department of Energy; hybrid fee: U.S. Department of Energy, checked October 2026. Fuel tax: EIA, July 2026 (revised).
Electricity in South Carolina costs 5% more than a year ago
South Carolina's average home rate over the 12 months to August 2026 was 15.8¢ per kWh, 0.8¢ more than the 12 months before. It moves through the year: over those 12 months, from 14.9¢ in December 2025 to 17.1¢ in April 2026. At 1,000 miles a month, the Model 3 costs about $2 a month more to charge than in the 12 months before.
Show every monthly figure
EIA monthly retail sales data, residential customers.
South Carolina is about average to charge a Model 3
26th cheapest of the 50 states and DC, at 1,000 miles a month. See every state
- 1North Dakota$33
- 2Nebraska$34
- 3Idaho$34
- 4Louisiana$35
- 5Utah$35
- 24Oregon$41
- 25West Virginia$41
- 26South Carolina$42
- 27Texas$42
- 28Minnesota$43
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to charge a Tesla Model 3 in South Carolina?
About $42 a month for 1,000 miles, or $501 a year, for the 2026 Model 3 Premium AWD (26.4 kWh/100 mi) at 15.8¢ per kWh. That works out to 4.2¢ a mile.
Which Model 3 version is cheapest to charge?
The Model 3 Standard RWD (24.3 kWh/100 mi), at about $38 a month in South Carolina. The 2026 Model 3 comes in 5 EPA-rated versions.
How much does it cost to fully charge a Tesla Model 3 in South Carolina?
About $14.46 at home for the 2026 Model 3 Premium AWD, at 15.8¢ per kWh. That is the electricity drawn from the wall to drive its full EPA range of 346 miles (about 91 kWh), so it includes charging losses; a top-up from 20% to 80% costs roughly 60% of it.
Does South Carolina charge an extra fee for electric cars?
Yes. South Carolina charges electric cars an extra $60 a year, about $5 a month, beyond what every car pays to register. It is paid as $120 every two years.
Is electricity getting more expensive in South Carolina?
Yes. South Carolina's average home rate over the 12 months to August 2026 was 15.8¢ per kWh, 0.8¢ more than the 12 months before. Source: EIA's monthly retail sales data.
Does this include energy lost while charging?
Yes. EPA measures an electric car's efficiency from the wall outlet, so the electricity lost while charging is already in the kWh per 100 miles figure.
Efficiency: U.S. EPA ratings for the 2026 model year. Gas prices: EIA weekly survey, week of November 9, 2026. Electricity: EIA average home rates, September 2025 to August 2026. Fuel taxes: EIA, July 2026 (revised). How we calculate