Tesla Model Y RWD cost to own in Australia — the true 5-year total
The Tesla Model Y RWD starts at $58,900. Over 5 years, owning one (EV) costs about $71,357 in Australia as of July 9, 2026 — $1,189/month, $1.19/km — including depreciation, charging (with the ~12% charging loss most calculators ignore), maintenance, insurance, financing and rego. That's $17,711 more than a comparable Subaru Forester AWD Hybrid over the same 5 years.
Tesla Model Y 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 Y RWD · Australia · 5-year estimate$71,357 total · $1,189/mo · $1.19/km
Where the money goes
| Cost component | Electric · Tesla Model Y RWD | Hybrid · Subaru Forester AWD Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation (estimated) | $34,751 (49%) | $19,526 (36%) |
| Charging / fuel | $4,241 (6%) | $6,064 (11%) |
| ↳ of which charging loss | 12% (~$509) | — |
| Maintenance | $4,752 (7%) | $5,502 (10%) |
| Insurance | $12,725 (18%) | $10,000 (19%) |
| Financing interest | $10,513 (15%) | $8,179 (15%) |
| Registration & fees | $4,375 (6%) | $4,375 (8%) |
| Total cost of ownership | $71,357 | $53,646 |
Tesla Model Y RWD specs & assumptions
- Starting price
- $58,900manufacturer
- Powertrain
- Electric
- Efficiency
- 14.5 kWh/100kmADR
- Range
- 466 kmADR
- Australia electricity
- 33.00c/kWhAER
- Annual km (assumed)
- 12,000Australia average
Compare the Tesla Model Y RWD against any car, your km & your scenario
What the numbers say
The Tesla Model Y RWD costs about $71,357 to own over 5 years in Australia — $1,189/month, $1.19/km at 12,000 km/yr — and depreciation is the biggest line: $34,751, 49% of the total (as of July 9, 2026).
- The Subaru Forester AWD Hybrid wins decisively here — $17,711 cheaper over 5 years; at typical assumptions this isn't a close call.
- No realistic annual distance flips this verdict — the Subaru Forester AWD Hybrid stays the cheaper car at every distance we model.
- On cost per month the Tesla Model Y RWD ranks #19 of 26 midsize SUV models we track in Australia.
- Where the Tesla Model Y RWD's $71,357 actually goes: depreciation $34,751 (49%), insurance $12,725 (18%), financing interest $10,513 (15%), maintenance $4,752 (7%), registration & fees $4,375 (6%), charging $4,241 (6%).
- Per km, that is $0.58 of depreciation and $0.07 of charging, with $0.54 for everything else — $1.19/km all-in.
- Charging vs the fleet: at $4,241 over 5 years the Tesla Model Y RWD sits within $293 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 Y 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, recharged.com); local pricing varies.
- Out-of-warranty replacement
- US$12,000–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 Y RWD at home
The Tesla Model Y RWD runs about $5.44 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
- $5.4414.5 kWh/100km + 12% charging loss × $0.33/kWh
- A typical 7 L/100km petrol car
- $11.41/100kmat $1.63/L — for comparison