Tesla driver 'won't sleep tonight' after sharing first electricity bill in 12 months

Tesla vehicle drivers are notorious for boasting about their EVs’ safety features, low-maintenance needs and constant over-the-air updates, but have you ever wondered exactly how much they have to fork out to run it?

Well, one user once took to Reddit to reveal how much his Tesla costs him; he jokingly claimed that the confession was a pretty ‘hard pill to swallow’.

Data from Zapmap suggests that there are around 2.15 million fully electric cars on UK roads right now—a 25.3 percent share of new car registrations year-to-date.

Not only do EV owners not have to suffer the fluctuating price of petrol and diesel in Britain, but they can also ensure their vehicle is charged using natural means: sunlight.

If you’re someone whose petrol-fuelled runaround is breaking the bank, you may be interested to hear that swapping to a Tesla could massively free up some well-needed funds.

Of course, running an electric car cheaply depends on exactly what make and model you pick.

However, they are increasingly likely to cost you less over a longer period of time than petrol or diesel.

To demonstrate that point, one motorist took to Reddit in January 2024 to explain that he keeps his bills down by charging his Tesla via solar energy.

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

How much was it? Only a cool $2.37 (£1.76).

Yes, that’s right: it cost the social media user less than a cup of coffee to run their vehicle for a full 365 days.

The user went on to explain that they utilised the renewable energy source by installing solar panels.

They also claimed to take advantage of an installed Tesla Powerwall— a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that stores energy from solar or from the electricity grid.

Many of the automobilists’ followers struggled to believe his running cost, with one suggesting: "I can't run my refrigerators for a month for that? Something is not being said."

After another helpful user suggested they start a GoFundMe, the driver replied: "Thank you for the advice... this has been a hard pill to swallow. I don't know how I'm going to sleep tonight."

How does a Tesla Powerwall work?

How does a Tesla Powerwall work?

Tesla’s website states that Powerwall gives drivers the ‘ability to store energy for later use’.

It works with solar to ‘provide key energy security and financial benefits’.

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

Now, Powerwalls aren’t cheap; the latest iteration is on sale via BOXT for a jaw-dropping £7,595.

Bear in mind that the average UK petrol driver spends around £1164 on fuel each year, as per Save at the Pump.

Plus, there are installation costs as well as the general price of charging at home, which, according to All Car Leasing, can cost between £4 and £25, depending on the tariff and battery size.

Recharging times can also vary, from anything from one to 10 hours.