Tesla driver left people in shock after sharing first electricity bill in 12 months

Elon Musk is celebrating his 54th birthday today (Saturday 28 June), but the billionaire seemingly needs a boost after a tough few months.

The South African tech guru has seen Tesla stocks drop dramatically, while his relationship with Donald Trump took a turn for the worse earlier this month after he made all sorts of allegations against the president on his own social media platform, X.

While Musk certainly won't be short of presents from his many children this weekend, he probably would like some professional good news, and may well be hoping that a Tesla customer's viral post about the cost of his electricity could give sales a much-needed boost.

The difference between Tesla and normal cars

The primary difference between Teslas and other cars is that Musk's cars are fully electric, relying on battery power and electric motors, while most other cars use internal combustion engines (ICE).

Although Jeremy Clarkson wasn't a fan when he tested one out on Top Gear, the environmental benefits are clear to see, as they don't produce any exhaust fumes which lead to issues such as air pollution.

How much it costs to run Tesla

The environmental benefits and technological advancements might appeal to a lot of people, but this is also reflected in the price, as most will set you back around £50,000 to buy.

While you're not filling it up with expensive petrol or diesel, repairs can be expensive, but if you look after it in the long-term, it may well work out cheaper than a 'normal' car.

If you install a charging point at home, it can cost you around £900, but it may be easier than using public charging points on a regular basis.

First time i’ve had a bill within the last 12 months. this sucks. pic.twitter.com/OSGdu1QbcN

— RG (@Tesla_GTownTX) January 17, 2024

How much he spent in 1 year

The user, @Tesla_GTownTX, posted a screenshot of the bill they received, which came in at just $2.37 (£1.89).

"First time I’ve had a bill within the last 12 months. This sucks," they joked.

People were baffled as to how the bill was so low, with many wondering if the Tesla owner had other ways of keeping it so cheap.

One asked: "How much did you pay for the solar panels and wall battery?"

Another said: "Post your statement for your power wall/solar panel payments."

The user explained they used solar panels to keep the bill low as well as a Tesla Powerwall, which is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that stores energy from solar or from the electricity grid.

"Powerwall gives you the ability to store energy for later use and works with solar to provide key energy security and financial benefits," say Tesla.

"Each Powerwall system is equipped with energy monitoring, metering and smart controls for owner customisation using the Tesla app."

The powerwall can cost between £5,000 to £10,000, but given how the price of petrol and diesel continues to increase, going electric may well prove to be a shrewd investment in the long term, if you've got the spare cash to pay those fees up front.