Tesla Model Y cost to own in the UK — the true 5-year total
The Tesla Model Y starts at £48,990. Over 5 years, owning one (EV) costs about £49,811 in the UK as of August 6, 2026 — £830/month, £0.83/mile — including depreciation, charging (with the ~12% charging loss most calculators ignore), maintenance, insurance, financing and VED. That's £1,977 less than a comparable Mercedes-Benz GLC 220d 4Matic AMG Line over the same 5 years.
Tesla Model Y incentives & grants
UK Electric Car Grant: up to £3,750 off the price of an eligible new EV (RRP ≤ £37,000, applied by the dealer). Shown for reference; not included in the totals above. Source: GOV.UK Electric Car Grant.
Tesla Model Y · UK · 5-year estimate£49,811 total · £830/mo · £0.83/mi
Where the money goes
| Cost component | Electric · Tesla Model Y | Hybrid · Mercedes-Benz GLC 220d 4Matic |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation (estimated) | £30,374 (61%) | £25,928 (50%) |
| Charging / fuel | £5,508 (11%) | £9,290 (18%) |
| ↳ of which charging loss | 12% (~£661) | — |
| Maintenance | £1,500 (3%) | £1,998 (4%) |
| Insurance | £2,780 (6%) | £2,625 (5%) |
| Financing interest | £8,649 (17%) | £9,188 (18%) |
| Registration & fees | £1,000 (2%) | £2,760 (5%) |
| Total cost of ownership | £49,811 | £51,788 |
Tesla Model Y specs & assumptions
- Starting price (RRP)
- £48,990manufacturer
- Powertrain
- Electric
- Efficiency
- 23.8 kWh/100miWLTP
- Range
- 387 miWLTP
- UK electricity
- 26.11p/kWhOfgem
- Annual miles (assumed)
- 12,000UK average
Road tax (VED) for EVs 2026
VED on the Tesla Model Y is £200/yr — the flat standard rate EVs now pay — and it is included in every total on this page. Source: GOV.UK vehicle tax rates.
Cost to charge the Tesla Model Y at home
The Tesla Model Y runs about £7.06 per 100 mi at home — versus about £17.42 for a typical 40 mpg 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 mi at home
- £7.0623.8 kWh/100mi + 12% charging loss × £0.26/kWh
- A typical 40 mpg petrol car
- £17.42/100miat £1.53/litre — for comparison
Compare the Tesla Model Y against any car, your mileage & your scenario
What the numbers say
The Tesla Model Y costs about £49,811 to own over 5 years in the UK — £830/month, £0.83/mi at 12,000 mi/yr — and depreciation is the biggest line: £30,374, 61% of the total (as of August 6, 2026).
- The Tesla Model Y edges it — a real £1,977 saving over 5 years, though small enough that your own annual distance and home tariff decide it.
- The Tesla Model Y pulls ahead of the Mercedes-Benz GLC 220d 4Matic AMG Line if you drive more than about 6,500 mi/yr.
- On cost per month the Tesla Model Y ranks #3 of 4 mid-size SUV (D-segment) models we track in the UK.
- Where the Tesla Model Y's £49,811 actually goes: depreciation £30,374 (61%), financing interest £8,649 (17%), charging £5,508 (11%), insurance £2,780 (6%), maintenance £1,500 (3%), registration & fees £1,000 (2%).
- Per mile, that is £0.51 of depreciation and £0.09 of charging, with £0.23 for everything else — £0.83/mile all-in.
- Charging vs the fleet: at £5,508 over 5 years the Tesla Model Y sits within £162 of the £5,670 median for the 27 EVs we price — nothing unusual either way.
What we assume for maintenance
Assumed £300/yr for an EV at 12,000 mi/yr — about £1,500 of the 5-year total above. On this market's assumptions an EV runs about £150/yr less in maintenance than a petrol car (£300 vs £450). See the methodology for sources; adjustable in the calculator.
Tesla Model Y 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.