EV Charge 
Charging a Tesla Model 3 at home in North Carolina costs about $44 per 1,000 miles, or $0.044 per mile, at the state’s average residential rate of 14.95¢ per kWh (August 2026). A full charge from empty runs about $13.67.
North Carolina ranks #38 of 51 for electricity prices (1 = most expensive), so this is below the U.S. average of $54 per 1,000 miles for the same car. A 30-mpg gas car would spend about $131 on fuel for those 1,000 miles at North Carolina’s $3.93 a gallon, so home charging saves roughly $87 every 1,000 miles.
Home charging vs Supercharger vs gas in North Carolina
| Option | Price | Per 1,000 miles | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home, standard rate | 14.95¢/kWh | $44 | $531 |
| Tesla Supercharger (non-member avg.) | $0.61/kWh | $182 | $2,183 |
| Gas car, 30 mpg | $3.93/gal | $131 | $1,572 |
On a Supercharger the same 1,000 miles cost $182, $138 more than at home. That’s even more than gas.
Cost by electric utility in North Carolina
| Utility | Est. rate | 1,000 miles (Tesla Model 3) | Full charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke Energy Carolinas | 14.75¢ | $44 | $13.48 |
| Duke Energy Progress | 16.44¢ | $49 | $15.03 |
| EnergyUnited Elec Member | 12.21¢ | $36 | $11.16 |
| Virginia Electric & Power | 14.74¢ | $44 | $13.47 |
| Rutherford Elec Member | 13.89¢ | $41 | $12.70 |
Tesla Model 3 vs other EVs in North Carolina
| EV | kWh/100 mi (EPA) | Per 1,000 miles |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model Y | 27.5 | $41 |
| Tesla Model 3 | 29.6 | $44 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 31.7 | $47 |
| Chevrolet Equinox EV | 32.6 | $49 |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | 33.6 | $50 |
| Kia EV9 | 43.0 | $64 |
| Rivian R1S | 44.4 | $66 |
| Ford F-150 Lightning | 47.9 | $72 |
Tesla Model 3 charging cost in states near North Carolina
| State | ¢/kWh | Per 1,000 miles |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 13.42 | $40 |
| North Carolina | 14.95 | $44 |
| South Carolina | 15.76 | $47 |
| Georgia | 15.90 | $47 |
| Virginia | 17.64 | $52 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fully charge a Tesla Model 3 in North Carolina?
About $13.67 from empty to full at home, using North Carolina’s average rate of 14.95¢ per kWh and the EPA rating of 29.6 kWh per 100 miles over a 309-mile range. Topping up from 20% to 80% costs roughly $8.20.
Is it cheaper to charge a Tesla Model 3 than to buy gas in North Carolina?
Yes at home: $44 vs $131 per 1,000 miles for a 30-mpg car. At a Supercharger it is not: $182 per 1,000 miles.
How much does a Tesla Model 3 add to an electric bill in North Carolina?
Driving 1,000 miles a month adds about $44 to a North Carolina electric bill, or $44 a month at 12,000 miles a year.
How can I charge a Tesla Model 3 cheaper in North Carolina?
Charge at home overnight, and ask your utility for a time-of-use or EV plan: off-peak prices are often well below the average rate used here. See our time-of-use guide.
More: EV charging cost in North Carolina · cost to charge a Tesla Model 3 in every state · EV charging cost calculator.
Cost to charge a Tesla Model 3 in other states
- Arizona
- California
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Texas
- Washington
- All 50 states for the Tesla Model 3
Sources: EIA Electric Power Monthly (August 2026); fueleconomy.gov (EPA, Model 3 Performance); DCFC Tracker (Superchargers); EIA gasoline prices. Method: how we calculate.
