Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD cost to own in Australia — the true 5-year total
The Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD starts at $67,900. Over 5 years, owning one (EV) costs about $78,506 in Australia as of July 9, 2026 — $1,308/month, $1.31/km — including depreciation, charging (with the ~12% charging loss most calculators ignore), maintenance, insurance, financing and rego. That's $7,387 more than a comparable Toyota HiLux over the same 5 years.
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD incentives & grants
Novated lease (FBT exemption): for a salary-packaged EV the federal FBT exemption can cut the cost substantially — it depends on your income and tax, so it is not in the totals above. Source: ATO.
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD · Australia · 5-year estimate$78,506 total · $1,308/mo · $1.31/km
Where the money goes
| Cost component | Electric · Tesla Model 3 Long | Petrol · Toyota HiLux |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation (estimated) | $40,061 (51%) | $32,200 (45%) |
| Charging / fuel | $4,388 (6%) | $7,042 (10%) |
| ↳ of which charging loss | 12% (~$527) | — |
| Maintenance | $4,752 (6%) | $6,402 (9%) |
| Insurance | $12,725 (16%) | $8,500 (12%) |
| Financing interest | $12,206 (16%) | $12,601 (18%) |
| Registration & fees | $4,375 (6%) | $4,375 (6%) |
| Total cost of ownership | $78,506 | $71,119 |
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD specs & assumptions
- Starting price
- $67,900manufacturer
- Powertrain
- Electric
- Efficiency
- 15 kWh/100kmADR
- Range
- 629 kmADR
- Australia electricity
- 33.00c/kWhAER
- Annual km (assumed)
- 12,000Australia average
Compare the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD against any car, your km & your scenario
What the numbers say
The Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD costs about $78,506 to own over 5 years in Australia — $1,308/month, $1.31/km at 12,000 km/yr — and depreciation is the biggest line: $40,061, 51% of the total (as of July 9, 2026).
- The Toyota HiLux wins decisively here — $7,387 cheaper over 5 years; at typical assumptions this isn't a close call.
- No realistic annual distance flips this verdict — the Toyota HiLux stays the cheaper car at every distance we model.
- On cost per month the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD ranks #4 of 4 sedan models we track in Australia.
- Where the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD's $78,506 actually goes: depreciation $40,061 (51%), insurance $12,725 (16%), financing interest $12,206 (16%), maintenance $4,752 (6%), charging $4,388 (6%), registration & fees $4,375 (6%).
- Per km, that is $0.67 of depreciation and $0.07 of charging, with $0.57 for everything else — $1.31/km all-in.
- Charging vs the fleet: at $4,388 over 5 years the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD sits within $146 of the $4,534 median for the 25 EVs we price — nothing unusual either way.
What we assume for maintenance
Assumed $950/yr for an EV at 12,000 km/yr — about $4,752 of the 5-year total above. On this market's assumptions an EV runs about $330/yr less in maintenance than a petrol car ($950 vs $1,280). See the methodology for sources; adjustable in the calculator.
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD battery — replacement cost & lifespan
Most EVs never need a battery replacement inside the manufacturer's battery warranty, so this is not in the 5-year total above — but it's the cost buyers ask about most, so here it is transparently. US-sourced replacement pricing (recurrentauto.com); local pricing varies.
- Out-of-warranty replacement
- US$11,000–US$18,000US-sourced estimate
- Battery warranty (US terms)
- 8 yr / 100,000 mimanufacturer · local terms may differ
- Typical lifespan
- ~15 yrindustry est.
Cost to charge the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD at home
The Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD runs about $5.63 per 100 km at home — versus about $11.41 for a typical 7 L/100km petrol car. Home charging only (the ~12% AC charging loss is included); public DC fast-charging is billed per session by each network — often 2–3× the home rate — and isn't in these figures.
- Per 100 km at home
- $5.6315 kWh/100km + 12% charging loss × $0.33/kWh
- A typical 7 L/100km petrol car
- $11.41/100kmat $1.63/L — for comparison