Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD cost to own in Texas — the true 5-year total
The Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD starts at $42,490. As of July 1, 2026, over 5 years, owning one (EV) costs about $54,500 in Texas — $908/month, $0.91/mile — including depreciation, charging (with the ~12% AC charging loss most calculators ignore), maintenance, insurance, financing and fees. That's $19,773 more than a comparable Honda Civic LX (gas) over the same 5 years. Texas's electricity (17.0¢/kWh) is 10% below the U.S. average, and gas runs $3.30/gal here — both fed straight into the numbers above. The federal $7,500 EV credit expired Sept 30, 2025 and is not applied.
Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD · Texas · 5-year estimate$54,500 total · $908/mo · $0.91/mi
Where the money goes
| Cost component | Electric · Tesla Model 3 Premium | Gas · Honda Civic LX |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation (estimated) | $24,644 (45%) | $9,144 (26%) |
| Charging / fuel | $3,765 (7%) | $5,497 (16%) |
| ↳ of which charging loss | 12% (~$452) | — |
| Maintenance | $3,660 (7%) | $4,620 (13%) |
| Insurance | $13,750 (25%) | $11,000 (32%) |
| Financing interest | $7,427 (14%) | $4,213 (12%) |
| Registration & fees | $1,254 (2%) | $254 (1%) |
| Total cost of ownership | $54,500 | $34,727 |
The charging-loss row is the ~10–15% of electricity lost to AC charging that you pay for but never reaches the battery — we include it; most calculators don't.
Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD specs & assumptions
- Starting MSRP
- $42,490manufacturer base
- Powertrain
- Electric
- Efficiency
- 25 kWh/100miEPA
- Range
- 272 miEPA
- Texas electricity
- 17.0¢/kWhEIA
- Annual miles (assumed)
- 12,000adjustable in tool
Compare the Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD against any car, your miles & your state
What else moves your Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD cost
The 5-year total already folds in depreciation, charging, insurance, maintenance and financing. Here's how the biggest levers work — and the ones that sit outside the total.
- Financing. Borrow the full $42,490 at a typical 7.2% new-car APR over 60 months and interest alone adds about $8,232. Lower the APR or add a down payment in the calculator and the total drops — financing is in the 5-year figure above.
- Insurance. This model averages about $2,750/yr to insure — roughly $550/yr more than a comparable gas car ($2,200/yr), as EV parts and repairs tend to cost more — our own estimate, calibrated to Insurify/Bankrate 2026, and already in the total above.
- Home charger. A Level 2 home charger is a one-time $500–$2,000 installed (depends on your panel and wiring) — not in the total above, but it pays back fast versus public fast-charging.
- Tires. EVs are heavier and make instant torque, so tires can wear ~20% faster — a real running cost most comparisons skip. We fold a higher maintenance rate for EVs into the total.
- Where you charge. Public DC fast-charging can cost 2–3× your home rate. The total assumes 80% home charging; if you can't charge at home, lower that share in the calculator to see the real cost.
Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD battery — replacement cost & lifespan
Most EVs never need a battery replacement inside the 8-year / 100,000-mile warranty, so this is not in the 5-year total above — but it's the cost buyers worry about most, so here it is transparently.
- Out-of-warranty replacement
- $11,000–$18,000estimate
- Battery warranty
- 8 yr / 100,000 mimanufacturer
- Typical lifespan
- ~15 yrindustry est.
Cost to charge the Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD at home
A full charge of the Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD costs about $12, and it runs about $4.83 per 100 mi at home — versus about $10.99 for a typical 30 mpg gas 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.
- Full charge (60 kWh usable)
- $12pack ÷ (1 − 12% loss) × $0.17/kWh
- Per 100 mi at home
- $4.8325 kWh/100mi + 12% charging loss × $0.17/kWh
- A typical 30 mpg gas car
- $10.99/100miat $3.30/gal — for comparison
Recalls & reliability record — Model 3
Official U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety record for the Model 3, MY 2017–2026. Figures cover all powertrains and trims sold under the Model 3 nameplate for the model years shown. A recall means a free remedy is available at no cost. Source: NHTSA (nhtsa.gov), data as of .
Recalls (34)
- Back Over Prevention
Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge.
- Electrical System
Tesla Service will replace the battery pack contactors, free of charge.
- Seats
Tesla Service Centers will inspect and tighten or replace the seat assembly fasteners as necessary, free of charge.
- SteeringOTA fix
Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge.
- Back Over Prevention
Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge.
- TiresOTA fix
Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge.
- Latches/Locks/LinkagesOTA fix
Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge.
- Seat BeltsOTA fix
Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update.
Full recall history: every Model 3 campaign → — all 34 campaigns, grouped by year.
Consumer complaints
NHTSA has 4,030 consumer complaints on file for the Model 3 (MY 2017–2026). The most-reported areas: Forward Collision Avoidance, Vehicle Speed Control, Service Brakes. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA.
Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD head-to-head comparisons
The 5-year cost gap against the cars buyers cross-shop:
← Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD cost (U.S. average)