Home charging cost
Charging a Tesla Model 3 in South Carolina
What it actually costs at home on South Carolina's average residential rate — $0.16/kWh, updated AUG 2026.
What charging actually costs
Cost per mile
~4.0¢
vs. ~12¢ for a 30-mpg gas car
Full charge (0 → 100%)
~$12.80
79 kWh battery
Yearly · 12,000 miles
$474
≈ $40/month
What your typical day costs
To replace a 40-mile day
$1.58/day
$577/year
9.8 kWh added · about 4.0¢ per mile
But do you really think you can refill it overnight at home? That depends on your outlet, your parking, and your winters.
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Cost per mile by charging method
Your home charging vs. public fast charging
At home you top up what you drove that day. Public DC fast charging is what you’d pay to refill on the road — priced per kWh, and far higher. Drag the slider above to set your day.
Your home charging
~$1.58
a 40-mile day · 4.0¢/mile
$0.16/kWh
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Table 5.6.A**
Public fast charging
~$27.65
per 10→80% fast charge · 12.2¢/mile
~$0.50/kWh (DC fast)
Typical public network pricing — varies by operator
Per mile, public DC fast charging costs roughly 3.1× more than charging at home. Most owners charge at home and only use fast charging on road trips, so your real average lands much closer to the home number.
Level 1 vs. Level 2: can your outlet keep up?
The cost per kWh is the same either way. What changes is how fast the Tesla Model 3 recovers range while parked at home.
Level 1 · standard outlet
~4 mi/hour
120V · no installation needed
~10 hours to recover 40 miles of driving. Plugged in 6pm–6am, that’s about 48 miles overnight.
Level 2 · 240V circuit
~30 mi/hour
240V · typical 30A home circuit (7.2 kW)
~1 hour to recover 40 miles. Plugged in 6pm–6am, that’s up to 321 miles.
You probably don’t need a $2,000 wall charger — 59% of people don’t. The 41% who need an upgrade usually find out after they’ve bought the car. Better to know now.
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If your daily driving stays under ~48 miles, a regular outlet may be all the Tesla Model 3 needs. Drive more than that, and Level 2 — or a workplace charger — becomes the difference between an EV that fits your life and one that doesn’t.
Does a Level 2 install pay for itself?
A home Level 2 setup — 240V circuit plus charger — typically runs $800–$1,800 installed. If the alternative is relying on public fast chargers, home charging the Tesla Model 3 in South Carolina saves about $82.44/month at 12,000 miles a year.
At a mid-range install cost of $1,300, that’s a payback of roughly 16 months — and every month after that is pure savings.
These prices assume you can charge at home. Can you?
Every number on this page depends on plugging in where you park. Most people underestimate what a regular outlet can handle — and some overestimate it. Answer 5 quick questions and get a clear answer for your home, your driving, and the Tesla Model 3.
Check your EV readiness →Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to charge a Tesla Model 3 at home in South Carolina?
At EIA state residential average of $0.16 per kWh, a full charge of the Tesla Model 3's 79 kWh battery costs about $12.80 — roughly 4.0 cents per mile.
What is the yearly cost to charge a Tesla Model 3 in South Carolina?
Driving 12,000 miles a year, home charging a Tesla Model 3 in South Carolina costs about $474 per year.
Can you charge a Tesla Model 3 on a regular outlet?
Yes. On a standard 120V outlet (Level 1), the Tesla Model 3 recovers about 4 miles of range per hour — roughly 48 miles overnight. A 240V Level 2 circuit charges about 7x faster.
Is it cheaper to charge a Tesla Model 3 at home or at a public fast charger?
Home charging in South Carolina costs about 4.0 cents per mile, while public DC fast charging runs about 12.2 cents per mile — roughly 3.1x more.
Tesla Model 3 charging cost in other locations
Other EVs in South Carolina
Want the full picture on EV charging costs?
This page covers the Tesla Model 3 in South Carolina specifically. For the complete breakdown — home vs. public rates by state, monthly cost by driving pattern, and how to lower what you pay — see our full guide to what it costs to charge an electric car.
**Electricity rate is the EIA state residential average, Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A. Charging cost assumes home (Level 1 or Level 2) charging; efficiency and battery figures from the EV guide. Rates last reviewed AUG 2026.