2018 Tesla Model 3 Range, MPGe and Charging Cost

The 2018 Tesla Model 3 is rated 116 to 130 MPGe, with 260 to 310 miles of EPA range across 3 versions.

EPA fuel economy

2018 Tesla Model 3 · 3 EPA-tested versions

Most efficient version

130MPGe combined

136 city 123 highway

$600 a year to charge

310 mi range

26 kWh per 100 mi

Fuel economy score10/10

Electric · RWD · Long Range

Best version saves $8,000 in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $0.15 per kWh.

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Nov 12, 2026

At EPA's $0.15 per kWh, charging costs $600 to $650 a year. Compared with 2017, the best electric version is up 4 MPGe.

Fewer complaints than a typical Model 3 year

The 2018 drew 157 owner complaints in its first three years, against about 284 for a typical Model 3 year. It is not picked as a best year: it is next to a partial model year with few sold.

Years to avoid: 2022. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.

Every Model 3 year ranked The 2018 Model 3's recalls and problems

Every 2018 Model 3 version

EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Charging cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.

Version	Combined	City / Hwy	Charge / year
Electric · RWD · Long Range Best EPA listing: Model 3 Long Range · 310 mi range · 26 kWh/100 mi	130 MPGe	136 / 123	$600
Electric · RWD · Mid Range EPA listing: Model 3 Mid Range · 260 mi range · 27 kWh/100 mi	123 MPGe	128 / 117	$600
Electric · AWD EPA listing: Model 3 Long Range AWD (also Model 3 Long Range AWD Performance) · 310 mi range · 29 kWh/100 mi	116 MPGe	120 / 112	$650

Charging cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $0.15 per kWh. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
Electric · RWD · Long Range	$582	$49	$2,911
Electric · RWD · Mid Range	$618	$52	$3,092
Electric · AWD	$651	$54	$3,256

At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.

Tesla Model 3 MPGe by model year

The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Rating: 126 to 142 MPGe (every year from 2017 to 2026); highest in 2021.

2018: 130 MPGe

Show as a table

Tesla Model 3 best combined MPGe by model year
Model year	Best electric version
2017	126
2018	130
2019	133
2020	141
2021	142
2022	132
2023	132
2024	137
2025	137
2026	139

Every Model 3 year's ratings in one table

2018 Model 3 recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 19 safety recalls and 1,040 owner complaints for the 2018 Model 3.

Owners most often describe suspension problems (102 complaints, 10%), then phantom braking (62). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 5 stars for the version it has rated.

See the 2018 Model 3 recalls and problems

Questions

How does the 2018 Model 3's efficiency compare with the 2017?

For 2018, the best electric version is rated 130 MPGe, up 4 from 126.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Nov 4, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.00, midgrade $4.61, premium $5.01, diesel $6.13 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Nov 12, 2026 and complaint file dated Nov 11, 2026.

Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.