Tesla Model 3 RWD cost to own in Australia — the true 5-year total
The Tesla Model 3 RWD starts at $54,900. Over 5 years, owning one (EV) costs about $68,099 in Australia as of July 9, 2026 — $1,135/month, $1.14/km — including depreciation, charging (with the ~12% charging loss most calculators ignore), maintenance, insurance, financing and rego. That's $1,859 more than a comparable Ford Ranger over the same 5 years.
Tesla Model 3 RWD 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 RWD · Australia · 5-year estimate$68,099 total · $1,135/mo · $1.14/km
Where the money goes
| Cost component | Electric · Tesla Model 3 RWD | Petrol · Ford Ranger |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation (estimated) | $32,391 (48%) | $27,140 (41%) |
| Charging / fuel | $4,095 (6%) | $9,291 (14%) |
| ↳ of which charging loss | 12% (~$491) | — |
| Maintenance | $4,752 (7%) | $6,402 (10%) |
| Insurance | $12,725 (19%) | $8,500 (13%) |
| Financing interest | $9,761 (14%) | $10,532 (16%) |
| Registration & fees | $4,375 (6%) | $4,375 (7%) |
| Total cost of ownership | $68,099 | $66,240 |
Tesla Model 3 RWD specs & assumptions
- Starting price
- $54,900manufacturer
- Powertrain
- Electric
- Efficiency
- 14 kWh/100kmADR
- Range
- 520 kmADR
- Australia electricity
- 33.00c/kWhAER
- Annual km (assumed)
- 12,000Australia average
Compare the Tesla Model 3 RWD against any car, your km & your scenario
What the numbers say
The Tesla Model 3 RWD costs about $68,099 to own over 5 years in Australia — $1,135/month, $1.14/km at 12,000 km/yr — and depreciation is the biggest line: $32,391, 48% of the total (as of July 9, 2026).
- Call it a tie: $1,859 apart over 5 years is inside the noise of estimates like these — choose on fit and charging access, not on cost.
- The Tesla Model 3 RWD pulls ahead of the Ford Ranger if you drive more than about 15,500 km/yr.
- On cost per month the Tesla Model 3 RWD ranks #3 of 4 sedan models we track in Australia.
- Where the Tesla Model 3 RWD's $68,099 actually goes: depreciation $32,391 (48%), insurance $12,725 (19%), financing interest $9,761 (14%), maintenance $4,752 (7%), registration & fees $4,375 (6%), charging $4,095 (6%).
- Per km, that is $0.54 of depreciation and $0.07 of charging, with $0.53 for everything else — $1.14/km all-in.
- Charging vs the fleet: at $4,095 over 5 years the Tesla Model 3 RWD sits within $439 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 RWD 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 RWD at home
The Tesla Model 3 RWD runs about $5.25 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
- $5.2514 kWh/100km + 12% charging loss × $0.33/kWh
- A typical 7 L/100km petrol car
- $11.41/100kmat $1.63/L — for comparison