Tesla Model 3, running costs
Discussion
Hi Folks
Just looking for a wee bit of help/sense check:
I'm generally a bit of a lurker rather than a poster, largely that's because I don't have anything that I would view as interesting enough to post about! With the increase in cost-of-living, I'm considering an EV, specifically the Tesla, as a means to save some money on my daily driver (a lightly breathed on Mk7.5 Golf R that I've had for the last 4 years).
If I'm honest, I'm a bit of an old-school petrolhead and the Tesla would be a head over heart decision, though I'll concede it's a nice overall package. When I totted up the main costs, the savings seemed almost too good to be true, so my question is, am I missing anything major?
-PCP monthly payment (around £350) for a standard M3, 2021 circa 20k miles. That's similar to the Golf, but an equivalent Golf R is now £550+
-Insurance, surprisingly a quick check on a comparison site shows this as £200 less than I pay for the Golf
-Tax, I'm not sure what the road tax for the Tesla will be next year, but unlikely to be more than I pay for the Golf
-Fuel, this is the big difference (obviously). Based on 12k a year and 30mpg, Golf is costing me about £260 a month. 12k a year in the Tesla (based on home charging as I'll do that 99% of the time) I work that out at around £65 per month, my current electricity rate is £0.26 per kWh. I also have solar panels on the house, so that figure would probably come down a bit, but I'm not about to try and calculate that!
I have browsed a few other threads and don't see anything major that I'm missing. Any further thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Just looking for a wee bit of help/sense check:
I'm generally a bit of a lurker rather than a poster, largely that's because I don't have anything that I would view as interesting enough to post about! With the increase in cost-of-living, I'm considering an EV, specifically the Tesla, as a means to save some money on my daily driver (a lightly breathed on Mk7.5 Golf R that I've had for the last 4 years).
If I'm honest, I'm a bit of an old-school petrolhead and the Tesla would be a head over heart decision, though I'll concede it's a nice overall package. When I totted up the main costs, the savings seemed almost too good to be true, so my question is, am I missing anything major?
-PCP monthly payment (around £350) for a standard M3, 2021 circa 20k miles. That's similar to the Golf, but an equivalent Golf R is now £550+
-Insurance, surprisingly a quick check on a comparison site shows this as £200 less than I pay for the Golf
-Tax, I'm not sure what the road tax for the Tesla will be next year, but unlikely to be more than I pay for the Golf
-Fuel, this is the big difference (obviously). Based on 12k a year and 30mpg, Golf is costing me about £260 a month. 12k a year in the Tesla (based on home charging as I'll do that 99% of the time) I work that out at around £65 per month, my current electricity rate is £0.26 per kWh. I also have solar panels on the house, so that figure would probably come down a bit, but I'm not about to try and calculate that!
I have browsed a few other threads and don't see anything major that I'm missing. Any further thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Edited by OIGMatt on Thursday 16th May 09:16
CheesecakeRunner said:
Being able to home charge for the majority of your driving is the key to cheap EV running.
I calculate it slightly higher than you, but not much in it.
12,000 miles at a conservative 3.5kWh/mile is 3428kWh of electricity. At 26p/kWh, that’s £891 a year or roughly £75 a month.
You need to take into account fitting a home charger point, that’s maybe £1000 or up to £1500 for something that can actively work with your solar. Although if your mileage is just regular commuting, averaging 50 odd miles a day, you could comfortably charge the car every day using a granny charger and standard 13amp plug socket.
Thanks, my calcs were definitely a bit 'back of the fag packet', so I'm sure yours will be more accurate, I'll work off that, thankfully not too far out.I calculate it slightly higher than you, but not much in it.
12,000 miles at a conservative 3.5kWh/mile is 3428kWh of electricity. At 26p/kWh, that’s £891 a year or roughly £75 a month.
You need to take into account fitting a home charger point, that’s maybe £1000 or up to £1500 for something that can actively work with your solar. Although if your mileage is just regular commuting, averaging 50 odd miles a day, you could comfortably charge the car every day using a granny charger and standard 13amp plug socket.
I definitely want a home charger point, otherwise the lack of flexibility will drive me crazy. I hadn't priced that up yet, slightly more than I thought, but good to have a budgetary idea-thanks.
Edited by OIGMatt on Thursday 16th May 10:12
Hammy98 said:
I'm looking at doing the same, from what I've read so far you've covered off all bases - it's a good bit cheaper to run than an equivalent ICE.
I've seen the dual motor performance model 3s and the Polestar 2 performance pack for similar figures to what you've posted, would help smooth the transition from the R!
I did consider the Polestar and I haven't 100% ruled it out, in some ways I like it more than the Tesla, I just find it a bit, well, aesthetically challenging! The dual motor Model 3 is another consideration, I'd just need to allow a bit more for the monthly payment and, at that point, it eats into the saving vs just keeping my current daily.I've seen the dual motor performance model 3s and the Polestar 2 performance pack for similar figures to what you've posted, would help smooth the transition from the R!
Fastlane said:
Your figures seem to be fine. The only additional saving would be if you move to an EV overnight tarrif which may work out cheaper overall once you factor in charging your car.
I'm on the Intelligent Octopus rate which gives us at least 6 hours per night at 7.5p/kWh.
Our overall rate, including all day time usage for a 4 bedroom house, works out at around 15p/kWh, but we have 2 EVs both doing around 12k miles per year. We don't have solar.
That's impressive. I'll have to look into Octopus if I bite the bullet on the EVI'm on the Intelligent Octopus rate which gives us at least 6 hours per night at 7.5p/kWh.
Our overall rate, including all day time usage for a 4 bedroom house, works out at around 15p/kWh, but we have 2 EVs both doing around 12k miles per year. We don't have solar.
Fastlane said:
I moved from a Cupra 300 to a Model 3 Performance back in 2019.
Ah, so that's a pretty similar decision process, albeit with the faster Tesla. I have only driven the Model 3 Performance version, even compared to the Golf it felt pretty ballistic, perhaps a little uninvolving by comparison if I were being critical.Any regrets from a driving enjoyment perspective or are they just outweighed by the savings?
Thanks folks, really appreciate the responses.
Really interesting to hear people's experience, particularly coming out of very 'PH' vehiceles and into a Tesla.
For my last few cars, I've generally bought them at around 2 years old, circa 15k miles, on a PCP deal, and kept for 3-4 years. Prior to that I bought my cars outright and ran slightly older cars. Overall, I think I've found the newer car route to be cost effective and certainly more convenient. I guess there's always an option to take on an extended warranty, though I have run the risk on my last few cars once they went out of manufacturer's warranty.
It does mean that the battery and drivetrain would be under warranty throughout my ownership and the car has some form of guaranteed future value, so there is some protection against the unknowns.
Really interesting to hear people's experience, particularly coming out of very 'PH' vehiceles and into a Tesla.
For my last few cars, I've generally bought them at around 2 years old, circa 15k miles, on a PCP deal, and kept for 3-4 years. Prior to that I bought my cars outright and ran slightly older cars. Overall, I think I've found the newer car route to be cost effective and certainly more convenient. I guess there's always an option to take on an extended warranty, though I have run the risk on my last few cars once they went out of manufacturer's warranty.
It does mean that the battery and drivetrain would be under warranty throughout my ownership and the car has some form of guaranteed future value, so there is some protection against the unknowns.
Edited by OIGMatt on Thursday 16th May 14:47
By way of an update and also to say thanks to everyone for the sense check and helpful advice:
I am now quite close to pulling the trigger on a black '21 plate Model 3 Standard plus with 16k miles.
I've also looked at the switch to Octopus Energy which gives me access to 7.5p per kwh off peak charging. Between that, the solar panels andsetting some timers on our white goods, I might even pay less in electricity than I do now. Oh, and ordering a zappi charger, thanks for the recommendation!
Anyway, that's all very boring and un-PH, I'm viewing the Tesla as nice means of transportation, pleasant place to be whilst offering a large saving each month. I'm conscious that there may be some bills but the same would hold true if I kept the Golf R, which is now approaching 7 years old.
Fortunately, I have a motorbike (GSXS-1000F if anyone cares) to scratch the petrol itch so I'm not going completely off the rails as a petrolhead
I am now quite close to pulling the trigger on a black '21 plate Model 3 Standard plus with 16k miles.
I've also looked at the switch to Octopus Energy which gives me access to 7.5p per kwh off peak charging. Between that, the solar panels andsetting some timers on our white goods, I might even pay less in electricity than I do now. Oh, and ordering a zappi charger, thanks for the recommendation!
Anyway, that's all very boring and un-PH, I'm viewing the Tesla as nice means of transportation, pleasant place to be whilst offering a large saving each month. I'm conscious that there may be some bills but the same would hold true if I kept the Golf R, which is now approaching 7 years old.
Fortunately, I have a motorbike (GSXS-1000F if anyone cares) to scratch the petrol itch so I'm not going completely off the rails as a petrolhead
Edited by OIGMatt on Saturday 18th May 12:06
That's the car ordered and arriving next week. I've switched tariffs and the charger should be fitted before the car arrives, I'm quite excited about it now, which I hadn't anticipated!
One last question (for now anyway): on a 7kwh charger, how long does it take to charge from 20 to 80%? My logic was that it's adding 30kwh of charge, dividing that by 7 is circa 4h 15 mins. I imagine that might be an oversimplification on my part!
One last question (for now anyway): on a 7kwh charger, how long does it take to charge from 20 to 80%? My logic was that it's adding 30kwh of charge, dividing that by 7 is circa 4h 15 mins. I imagine that might be an oversimplification on my part!
Edited by OIGMatt on Wednesday 22 May 20:46
Gone fishing said:
Logic is fine, there might be a bit of charging losses to factor in but that’s essentially how it works.
Okay cool, thanks. My tariff gives me 5 hours of off peak so that should suffice 99% of the time. I understand that you should only do an 100% charge when you have a long journey the following day, so I'll prob adopt the protocol of charging to 80%. Is it okay to just top up charge most nights, when I imagine it'll usually be at 50-60% or is it better for the battery to run it down to circa 20% before charging?
My usual commute is a 30 mile round trip but I'll sometimes do quite a bit more with client visits etc, so it's easier if I just have 80% each day, then I don't need to think about it too much
Gone fishing said:
I don’t charge up each day, I drift between 30% and 80% so in practice the only time I definitely charge is when I have a trip, and even then I still only charge to 80%. There’s an advantage to letting the car sit at lower states of charge overnight from time to time as it helps the BMS stay calibrated. If you (or anyone reading this as it can be confusing) have a car with the LFP batteries (typically RWD cars made in the last 3 years) then a 100% charge once a week is needed.
In essence, don’t be a slave to it.
Cool thanks, that's helpful. I'd seen something on the 100% thing, my car is June '21 registered. Is there a way to see if that has it LFP battery?In essence, don’t be a slave to it.
I guess I'll just have to get in the habit of checking my diary in advance and planning the charging accordingly
ChocolateFrog said:
If you can guarantee home charging for the majority of the time then I'd work on 7.5p a unit. You'd be mad not yo go for one of the cheap night rates.
Don't let the ICE luddites influence you too much. Even as a petrolhead the Tesla will be fine replacing a Golf R. The Golf hardly drives like an Elise or sounds like a GTV. Probably an ideal ICE to be replaced by an EV.
You'd save so much money you could cover most the cost of a fun car if you wanted with the savings.
I think you're right. The Golf is a good all rounder but certainly not a motoring deity.Don't let the ICE luddites influence you too much. Even as a petrolhead the Tesla will be fine replacing a Golf R. The Golf hardly drives like an Elise or sounds like a GTV. Probably an ideal ICE to be replaced by an EV.
You'd save so much money you could cover most the cost of a fun car if you wanted with the savings.
I've had a 24 hour test drive of a Tesla model 3 and it left me a bit cold. In hindsight that's maybe just because I needed more time to get to grips with the everything being controlled via the touchscreen, hoping I like it once I get used to it as it arrives next week.
Craigyboy143 said:
I'm currently doing it in a vw t5 camper and it's costing me a fortune in fuel. and it's a lump to drive.
how did you get a 24 hour test drive??
i keep going around in circles with second hand an new with the good APR deals at the moment.
Funnily enough, my better half drives a T5 Kombi, which I adore, though maybe not as an every day proposition.how did you get a 24 hour test drive??
i keep going around in circles with second hand an new with the good APR deals at the moment.
I booked the test drive online with my local Tesla dealer and when they called to arrange, they tried to make me take a standard 1 hour drive. I just insisted that I needed it for a decent amount of time, or nothing.
EVOTECH3BELL said:
I've just stayed a different thread but spotted this one...
What's peoples thoughts on depreciation on cars that a re currently 2019 -2020 sat at around £20-25k.
Worth naff all in two years time or levelling off?
I think it's incredibly hard to forecast. My past couple of cars have been on PCP deals anyway, but on this occasion I felt like having a guaranteed future value/option to walk away made a lot of sense.What's peoples thoughts on depreciation on cars that a re currently 2019 -2020 sat at around £20-25k.
Worth naff all in two years time or levelling off?
By way of a little update, I've had the car for around 10 days now. My initial observations:
-I think it suits the black paintwork
-The 'iPad' controls everything, I found this highly annoying on test drive. However, it is very intuitive and easy to use after a short period
-It feels a LOT slower than the Golf over about 50/60mph. That might just be the lack of aural stimulation as I haven't actually checked performance (stats suggest there wouldn't be that greater difference). If this had been a serious concern, I could have stumped up for a dual motor version.
-It's very relaxing to drive, it's a nice place to be and makes me drive in a more chilled-out fashion which is great
-Unsurprisingly, sitting at high speeds on the dual carriageway coming home chomped through a bit of range: I used about 65% over 100 miles on the journey home (it was late on a Friday night and I wanted to get home). Subsequent economy has been far better.
-This might be user error, but my steering assist switches itself back on each time you commence a new journey and occasionally grabs the steering if you try to 'straight line' an empty roundabout or corner
-Low down grunt is brilliant and makes for good, effortless progress
-Handles and rides impressively, feels a bit like a 3 series to me
-I have discovered that we have free charging at work, so I've done around 350 miles at a cost of £1 (an off-peak top-up at home)
In summary, I bought this car to save money and as a bit of a head vs heart decision, in reality I am shocked at how much I like the car. It may be a bit short on character, but it's hard to imagine a better overall alternative of comfort, performance and value. Based on my initial impressions, I'm a Tesla convert (as a daily driver anyway).
Maracus said:
(so my friend told me).
This Carwow clip from 2021 was interesting comparing the SR+, LR and P - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htGXA4McmGU. The acceleration from 50mph was closer than he thought (at 6:40 into the clip).
Haha! This Carwow clip from 2021 was interesting comparing the SR+, LR and P - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htGXA4McmGU. The acceleration from 50mph was closer than he thought (at 6:40 into the clip).
That's an interesting clip. Also hadn't realised the latest cars were slightly slower?
So a month or so in, around 1500 miles, 'fuel' costs so far are £8: a mixture of solar charging from the Zappi, off peak charging at home and (mainly) charging at work for free.
Generally, the car is very easy to live with. I find the 'adaptive cruise' (I'm sure that's not what it's called) to be pretty poor. The Golf had radar cruise and it was fantastic, the Tesla seems to be constantly bamboozled and I find the car slowing down because there's a cone in the central reservation or similar. Anyway, that's a minor complaint.
The one thing that's driving me insane is the corrective steering (emergency lane departure avoidance). Does anyone know if there's a way to permanently switch that off? I have to remember to turn it off before each drive (shown in pic) and even then it sometimes intervenes by 'grabbing' the steering wheel if I'm making progress (seems to be almost exclusively roundabouts), very disconcerting!
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