Ford F-150 vs Tesla Cybertruck: fuel economy and fuel cost
In model year 2026 the Tesla Cybertruck is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $1,180 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Cybertruck, 79 MPGe combined), against $2,720 for the Ford F-150 (F-150 Pickup HEV, 24 MPG combined). That is $1,540 a year, or $7,700 over five years.
One of the two is electric-only; the other has no electric configuration in this model year. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.
- Hybrid
- Standard pickups
Ford F-150
Lowest fuel cost configuration
F-150 Pickup HEV
$18.13 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
12 configurations in MY2026
- Electric
- Standard pickups
Tesla Cybertruck
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Cybertruck
$7.87 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
325 mi EPA range · 43 kWh/100 mi
3 configurations in MY2026
What the fuel costs
Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration
- Ford F-150$2,720 a year · $18.13 per 100 mi
- Tesla Cybertruck$1,180 a year · $7.87 per 100 mi
Difference per year
$1,540
Tesla Cybertruck costs less to fuel
Over 5 years
$7,700
$1,540 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
Head to head, MY2026
| Measure | Ford F-150 | Tesla Cybertruck |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost configuration | F-150 Pickup HEV | Cybertruck |
| Powertrain | Hybrid | Electric |
| Combined rating | 24 MPG | 79 MPGe |
| City rating | 23 MPG | 85 MPGe |
| Highway rating | 25 MPG | 72 MPGe |
| EPA range | — | 325 mi |
| Electricity use | — | 43 kWh/100 mi |
| Annual fuel cost | $2,720/yr | $1,180/yr (better) |
| Cost per 100 miles | $18.13 | $7.87 (better) |
| Annual cost range, all configurations | $2,720–$6,720 | $1,180–$1,190 |
| Configurations in MY2026 | 12 | 3 |
| EPA class | Standard pickups | Standard pickups |
Best configuration by powertrain
| Powertrain | Ford F-150 | Tesla Cybertruck |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | 21 MPG · $3,120/yr F-150 Pickup | Not offered in MY2026 |
| Hybrid | 24 MPG · $2,720/yr F-150 Pickup HEV | Not offered in MY2026 |
| Electric | Not offered in MY2026 | 79 MPGe · $1,180/yr Cybertruck |
Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.
Where each one comes out ahead
Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.
Ford F-150
- Offers gas configurations in MY2026; the Tesla Cybertruck does not
- Offers hybrid configurations in MY2026; the Tesla Cybertruck does not
Tesla Cybertruck
- Lower annual fuel cost: $1,180 vs $2,720
- Offers electric configurations in MY2026; the Ford F-150 does not
Ratings in MPG and MPGe are not compared directly here; annual fuel cost is the common yardstick.
Year by year
| Model year | Ford F-150 | Tesla Cybertruck | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined | Per year | Combined | Per year | |
| 2026 | 12–24 MPG | $2,720–$6,720 | 78–79 MPGe | $1,180–$1,190 |
| 2025 | 12–23 MPG | $2,840–$6,720 | 78–82 MPGe | $1,120–$1,190 |
Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to fuel, the Ford F-150 or the Tesla Cybertruck?
The Tesla Cybertruck is cheaper: about $1,180 a year against $2,720 for the Ford F-150, a difference of $1,540 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.
How much would the Tesla Cybertruck save over five years?
About $7,700 ($1,540 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.
Can MPG and MPGe be compared?
The Tesla Cybertruck is rated 79 MPGe and the Ford F-150 24 MPG. MPGe is the EPA's way of expressing electric efficiency per 33.7 kWh, the energy in a gallon of gasoline. It is a different measure from gasoline MPG, so annual fuel cost ($1,180 vs $2,720) is the better yardstick.
How is the annual fuel cost calculated?
Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.
Are the Ford F-150 and the Tesla Cybertruck in the same class?
Yes. The EPA classes both as Standard pickups.
Explore these cars
- Ford F-150: ratings, trims and every model year
- Tesla Cybertruck: ratings, trims and every model year
- 2026 Ford F-150: all configurations
- 2026 Tesla Cybertruck: all configurations
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