Database / Comparisons / Tesla Model 3 vs Toyota Camry HEV
Tesla Model 3 vs Toyota Camry HEV: fuel cost
Same job, different fuel. Five years of EPA fuel-cost data, head to head. Updated October 2026.
2026 Tesla Model 3
2025 Toyota Camry HEVSide by side
| 2026 Tesla Model 3 | 2025 Toyota Camry HEV | |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Battery electric | Hybrid |
| EPA economy | 363 mi EPA range | 47 mpg combined |
| EPA fuel cost / year | $550 | $1,450 |
| 5-year fuel cost | $2,750 | $7,250 |
| 5-year fuel savings (EV) | $4,500 | |
What the numbers say
- The Model 3 costs $4,500 less in fuel over five years ($2,750 vs $7,250).
- The Camry is a hybrid at 47 mpg — the toughest gas comparison on this page, and the Model 3 still wins by $900 a year.
- At $36,990 starting MSRP, the Model 3 undercuts many gas sedans before fuel savings even count.
Our take
Over five years the Tesla Model 3 saves $4,500 in fuel versus the 2025 Toyota Camry HEV ($2,750 vs $7,250). That's $900 a year, every year, before a single oil change. The bigger your mileage, the bigger the gap — at 20,000 miles a year, scale these figures by a third.
Fuel costs only — EPA annual estimates at 15,000 miles/year. Purchase price, insurance, and maintenance aren’t in this comparison.
Questions, answered
How much cheaper is the Tesla Model 3 to fuel than the Toyota Camry HEV?
$4,500 over five years at EPA estimates: $2,750 vs $7,250.
What does the Tesla Model 3 cost per year in fuel?
$550 a year at the EPA’s 15,000-miles-per-year estimate — about $46/month in electricity.
Does the fuel saving cover the price difference?
That depends on the gas car’s transaction price, which we don’t track — this page compares fuel only. But $4,500 in fuel savings plus no oil changes is the core of the EV value case.
Fuel figures: U.S. EPA via fueleconomy.gov (annual fuel cost at 15,000 miles/year; 5-year = 5× annual). EV price is verified starting MSRP before destination. Gas trim shown is the EPA test trim stated.