The Tesla Model S has always sold a dream: big range, huge power, tiny fuel bills. But once the glow of the Ludicrous launch fades, you’re left with a more prosaic question: what does a Tesla Model S actually cost to own long term, over 5 or 10 years, in the real world?
The short version
Why Tesla Model S long‑term ownership costs are tricky
If you try to google “Tesla Model S long term ownership cost,” you get a blizzard of answers ranging from “EVs are practically free to run” to “EVs are a financial time bomb.” The truth lives somewhere in the middle, and it depends heavily on how you buy, how you charge, and how long you keep the car.
- High, variable depreciation as the EV market matures
- Big spread between home charging and frequent Supercharger use
- Low routine maintenance but pricey out‑of‑warranty repairs
- Battery longevity that’s usually excellent, but very expensive if it goes wrong
- Luxury‑car insurance premiums that can surprise first‑time EV buyers
In this guide, we’ll walk line‑item by line‑item through Tesla Model S long‑term ownership costs, then build 5‑year and 10‑year examples you can adapt to your own situation, especially if you’re considering a used Model S from a marketplace like Recharged.
