EV Charge A Tesla Model 3 owner in South Carolina pays about $47 in electricity per 1,000 miles when charging at home, based on 15.76¢ per kWh, the EIA’s latest state average (August 2026). That’s $0.047 per mile and about $14.41 for a full charge.
South Carolina ranks #32 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 $144 on fuel for those 1,000 miles at South Carolina’s $4.33 a gallon, so home charging saves roughly $98 every 1,000 miles.
Home charging vs Supercharger vs gas in South Carolina
| Option | Price | Per 1,000 miles | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home, standard rate | 15.76¢/kWh | $47 | $560 |
| Tesla Supercharger (non-member avg.) | $0.65/kWh | $193 | $2,311 |
| Gas car, 30 mpg | $4.33/gal | $144 | $1,732 |
Supercharging a Tesla Model 3 in South Carolina costs about 4.1 times as much as charging at home. Most owners use it on road trips, not every day.
Cost by electric utility in South Carolina
| Utility | Est. rate | 1,000 miles (Tesla Model 3) | Full charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dominion Energy South Carolina | 16.16¢ | $48 | $14.77 |
| Duke Energy Carolinas | 15.49¢ | $46 | $14.16 |
| Duke Energy Progress | 16.48¢ | $49 | $15.07 |
| Aiken Electric Coop | 17.20¢ | $51 | $15.72 |
| Blue Ridge Electric Coop | 20.98¢ | $62 | $19.18 |
Tesla Model 3 vs other EVs in South Carolina
| EV | kWh/100 mi (EPA) | Per 1,000 miles |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model Y | 27.5 | $43 |
| Tesla Model 3 | 29.6 | $47 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 31.7 | $50 |
| Chevrolet Equinox EV | 32.6 | $51 |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | 33.6 | $53 |
| Kia EV9 | 43.0 | $68 |
| Rivian R1S | 44.4 | $70 |
| Ford F-150 Lightning | 47.9 | $76 |
Tesla Model 3 charging cost in states near South Carolina
| State | ¢/kWh | Per 1,000 miles |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 14.95 | $44 |
| South Carolina | 15.76 | $47 |
| Georgia | 15.90 | $47 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fully charge a Tesla Model 3 in South Carolina?
About $14.41 from empty to full at home, using South Carolina’s average rate of 15.76¢ 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 $8.64.
Is it cheaper to charge a Tesla Model 3 than to buy gas in South Carolina?
Yes at home: $47 vs $144 per 1,000 miles for a 30-mpg car. At a Supercharger it is not: $193 per 1,000 miles.
How much does a Tesla Model 3 add to an electric bill in South Carolina?
Driving 1,000 miles a month adds about $47 to a South Carolina electric bill, or $47 a month at 12,000 miles a year.
How can I charge a Tesla Model 3 cheaper in South 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 South 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
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- 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.
