The News: A state-by-state breakdown of residential electricity and gas prices reveals the real cost to fully charge a Tesla Model Y Premium at home versus filling a 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid AWD — ranked by electricity cost per kWh.
Why It Matters: At national averages, charging your Model Y costs $13.62 versus $45.50 to fill the CR-V Hybrid — a $31.88 difference every single fill-up. But your state's numbers may tell a very different story.
Source: @SawyerMerritt on X
The Numbers That Matter: $13.62 vs. $45.50
Sawyer Merritt published a comprehensive state-by-state cost comparison this morning, stacking the Tesla Model Y Premium AWD against the 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid AWD — two of the most popular family crossovers in America. The methodology is straightforward: current average residential electricity prices and current gas prices, applied to each vehicle's real-world fill-up requirements.
The comparison uses verified vehicle specs: the Model Y Premium AWD carries a 79.0 kWh usable battery with an estimated real-world range of ~295 miles, while the CR-V Hybrid AWD holds 14.0 gallons and achieves a combined 37 MPG for an estimated 518-mile range per tank.
📊 What the Numbers Look Like
Vehicle Specs at a Glance
| Spec | Tesla Model Y Premium AWD | 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Tank / Battery | 79.0 kWh usable | 14.0 gallons |
| Efficiency | ~295 mi range | 37 MPG combined |
| Est. Full Range | ~295 miles | ~518 miles |
| National Avg. Energy Price | $0.1724/kWh | $3.25/gallon |
| Cost to Fill Up (National Avg.) | $13.62 | $45.50 |
Sources: EV Database, Honda, AAA (March 2026)
At the national average, every single full charge saves you $31.88 compared to filling the CR-V Hybrid. If you charge twice a week, that's roughly $3,316 saved per year — before accounting for any state or federal EV incentives.
Where Your State Stands: The Key Extremes
The state-level picture is where this analysis gets genuinely useful. Electricity prices vary dramatically across the U.S. — from under 10 cents/kWh in some states to over 40 cents/kWh in Hawaii — which completely reshapes the cost equation for EV owners.
⚠️ Where the EV Advantage Shrinks: High Electricity States
In states with very high residential electricity rates, the cost gap narrows significantly. Hawaii is the most extreme example — consistently ranked #1 in the nation for electricity costs, with rates that can exceed $0.40/kWh. At that rate, a full Model Y charge would cost over $31.60, cutting the advantage over the CR-V Hybrid to a fraction of the national average savings.
High-cost electricity states to watch: Hawaii, California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Alaska
✅ Where EVs Win Biggest: Low Electricity States
States with cheap electricity — often powered by hydro, nuclear, or coal — deliver the largest savings margin for Model Y owners. In states like Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Washington (hydro-powered), residential rates can dip below $0.10/kWh, meaning a full charge costs under $8.00.
Best-value charging states: Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming
🚦 Owner's Action Plan
ESSENTIAL
Step 1: Find your actual electricity rate
Pull up your last electric bill and find your rate in cents per kWh. Multiply by 79.0 to get your real cost per full charge. Most utility bills show this clearly, or check your utility's website.
ESSENTIAL
Step 2: Check if you qualify for an EV time-of-use rate
Many utilities offer special EV rates (often 50-70% cheaper) for overnight charging. If you're not on one, you're likely overpaying. Search your utility's website for "EV rate" or "time-of-use rate." This single step can cut your charging cost in half.
RECOMMENDED
Step 3: Set your Tesla's scheduled charging window
In your Tesla app or touchscreen, go to Charging → Schedule and set charging to begin during your utility's off-peak window (typically 11 PM–7 AM). This ensures you're always capturing the cheapest rate automatically.
INFORMATIONAL
Step 4: Calculate your annual fuel savings
Use this formula: (Cost per full tank of CR-V − Cost per full charge of your Model Y) × number of fill-ups per year. At national averages with weekly charging, most owners save $1,500–$3,500 annually on energy alone — not counting oil changes, transmission service, and other ICE/hybrid maintenance costs.
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