Tank Ledger

Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus MPG by year — every rating on record

The Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 3 model years, from 2019 to 2021. Across those years its best rated version returned 142 mpg (2021) and its thirstiest returned 133 mpg (2019). The EPA record holds 3 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Midsize Cars.

142best combined mpg (2021)
133worst combined mpg (2019)
142latest year best (2021)
3configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
20191133 mpg133 mpg#2 of 127 (99th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveElectricityMidsize Cars
20201141 mpg141 mpg#1 of 124 (100th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveElectricityMidsize Cars
20211142 mpg142 mpg#1 of 116 (100th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveElectricityMidsize Cars

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus placed highest in 2020 at #1 of 124, and lowest in 2019 at #2 of 127. It spent 3 of its 3 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 3 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrRangeCO2 g/miGHG
2021Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (A1) ElectricityEV15013314281.00.1$550263 min/a10/10
2020Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (A1) ElectricityEV14813214181.60.1$550250 min/a10/10
2019Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (A1) ElectricityEV14012413386.50.1$550240 min/a10/10

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 2 of 2 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
2019 → 2020133 → 141 mpg+8 mpg82 gal
2020 → 2021141 → 142 mpg+1 mpg81 gal

What Model 3 Standard Range Plus fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus burns 81 to 81 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.

Pump priceMost efficientThirstiestSpread
$3.00/gal$243$243$0
$3.50/gal$283$283$0
$4.00/gal$324$324$0

EPA’s own estimate for the 2021 model year is $550 to $550 a year in fuel, or $8,500 less than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Midsize Cars

Across the 483 nameplates EPA classifies as Midsize Cars, the median best combined rating is 25 mpg. At 142 mpg the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus is 117 mpg better the median, which is worth about $1,327 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

Other Tesla nameplates

Every Tesla model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.