[Sherman Logan]

The standard Tesla comes with a 65 kwh battery. Average US price for residential electricity last year was 12.5 cents.

So, in theory, it takes $8.13 to charge the battery from dead to full charge. This will carry you 230 miles at a steady 55 mph, giving you a fuel cost per mile of 3.5 cents.

This compares to my elderly Vibe getting 35 mpg and gas at $2.50/gallon, for a fuel cost per mile of 7.1 cents.

I’m paying taxes to maintain the roads, while the Tesla guy isn’t. I also suspect there’s energy lost when charging, which increases the amount of electricity it takes to fully charge the battery.

[Sherman Logan]

Fuel tax here in FL is 55 cents. Without the tax my cost is $1.95/gallon. Which makes my cost per mile 5.6 cents.

Charging losses are typically around 25%, so the cost per mile for the Tesla goes to about 4.4 cents.

I think. Nobody quote me.

On the gripping hand, the Tesla S is a much nicer car than mine.

[robert14]

The cost for electricity in California $.33 per kwh after the first 900 kwh is used in a month. Since most people will use about 900 kwh/m without an electric car, when they plug their new car into the grid they will be paying $.33 per kwh to charge their car. The Tesla would cost 65 kwh x $.33 or about $22 for a complete charge. Now, if you pump 65 kwh into your Tesla for 22 work days per month your electic bill would increase by $22 x 22 days or $484 per month.

[American in Israel]

10% loss going in the battery, and 10% loss coming back out. Large power plant is more efficient creating power per therm of fossil fuel, but the battery chemical energy conversion losses and transmission losses make it a wash I suspect.

But the dirty secret is the batteries themselves, they degrade a bit every charging cycle (loose capacity), and they are heavier than heck. The more weight you drag around, the more energy you need. A non electric version of the car is significantly lighter. Just adding a 200 pound passenger or groceries impacts your mileage, try packing in 800 pounds of batteries.

I would love to own one, but just cannot justify the economics. The only reason to get one is emotional, therefore they tend to be liberal wagons.

[polymuser]

From a co2 perspective:

Tesla 230 miles:
65kw charge x 2.15 lb co2/kw at coal plant = 140 lb co2.

35mpg gasoline car 230 miles:
230miles / 35 mpg = 6.6 gal gasoline.
At 6 kw per gallon to refine = 40 kw = 79 lb co2.
Plus 20 lb co2 (1c/2o) per gallon of gasoline burned = 132 lb co2.
Gas engine total for 230 miles = 211 lb co2.