Electric vehicle (EV) owners often talk about how much money they save compared to driving traditional gas-powered cars. But one Tesla driver decided to put the numbers to the test — and the results shocked even him.

Breaking Down the Costs

The driver, who owns a Tesla Model 3, tracked his charging expenses over the course of a full year. During that time, he drove 13,256 kilometers (about 8,237 miles) and carefully logged his charging habits.

What he found? The savings weren’t just noticeable — they were massive.

• Home charging: Most of his charging (around 50%) was done at home, and 93% of that was during off-peak hours. By taking advantage of lower electricity rates overnight, his total annual home charging cost came to just $170 USD — a little over $14 per month.

• Public charging: For the rest of his driving needs, he occasionally used public charging stations. Across 12 months, he spent another $114 USD.

👉 Total annual cost to charge his Tesla: $285 USD (about $448 NZD).

The Gasoline Comparison

To understand the real savings, the driver compared his Tesla expenses to what it would have cost him if he had been driving a gas-powered car over the same distance.

At the time of his calculation, fuel in New Zealand averaged around $2.77 NZD per liter. To cover 13,256 km, a gas car would have needed about 1,233 liters of fuel.

That would have added up to a staggering $3,416 NZD — more than ten times what he actually spent charging his Tesla.

📊 Annual savings: Roughly $2,698 NZD (about $1,600 USD).

Why the Costs Are So Low

The key to his success? Smart charging habits. By charging overnight at home, when electricity rates drop, he dramatically reduced his expenses. Many new EV owners worry about skyrocketing electric bills, but as this case shows, the costs can be surprisingly minimal with the right strategy.

He also emphasized that while public charging can be convenient, it’s generally more expensive than plugging in at home. Keeping most of the charging off-peak is where the biggest savings come from.

The Bigger Picture

Over five years of owning his Tesla, the driver estimates he has saved up to $200 USD per month compared to what he would have spent on gas. With more than 100,000 miles driven, that’s thousands of dollars kept in his pocket — all while driving a vehicle that produces no tailpipe emissions.

Final Thoughts

This Tesla owner’s breakdown proves just how financially rewarding switching to an EV can be.

• Annual gas cost: ~$3,416 NZD

• Annual Tesla charging cost: ~$448 NZD

• Savings: Nearly $2,700 NZD in just one year

For anyone on the fence about going electric, the numbers speak for themselves. With fuel prices still unpredictable, the ability to charge at home — especially during off-peak hours — makes EV ownership not only environmentally friendly but also incredibly cost-effective.

As one viewer of his video summed it up:

“Wow, that is a staggering difference in cost! Thanks for doing all the math for us.”