Tesla Model S vs Lucid Air: fuel economy and fuel cost
In model year 2026 the Lucid Air is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $640 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Air Pure with 19 inch wheels, 146 MPGe combined), against $750 for the Tesla Model S (Model S, 124 MPGe combined). That is $110 a year, or $550 over five years.
Both are classed as Large cars by the EPA. 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.
The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.
- Electric
- Large cars
Tesla Model S
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Model S
$5.00 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
410 mi EPA range · 27 kWh/100 mi
3 configurations in MY2026
- Electric
- Large cars
Lucid Air
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Air Pure with 19 inch wheels
$4.27 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
420 mi EPA range · 23 kWh/100 mi
8 configurations in MY2026
What the fuel costs
Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration
- Tesla Model S$750 a year · $5.00 per 100 mi
- Lucid Air$640 a year · $4.27 per 100 mi
Difference per year
$110
Lucid Air costs less to fuel
Over 5 years
$550
$110 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
Head to head, MY2026
| Measure | Tesla Model S | Lucid Air |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost configuration | Model S | Air Pure with 19 inch wheels |
| Powertrain | Electric | Electric |
| Combined rating | 124 MPGe | 146 MPGe (better) |
| City rating | 132 MPGe | 149 MPGe (better) |
| Highway rating | 116 MPGe | 142 MPGe (better) |
| EPA range | 410 mi | 420 mi (better) |
| Electricity use | 27 kWh/100 mi | 23 kWh/100 mi (better) |
| Annual fuel cost | $750/yr | $640/yr (better) |
| Cost per 100 miles | $5.00 | $4.27 (better) |
| Annual cost range, all configurations | $750–$990 | $640–$880 |
| Configurations in MY2026 | 3 | 8 |
| EPA class | Large cars | Large cars |
Best configuration by powertrain
| Powertrain | Tesla Model S | Lucid Air |
|---|---|---|
| Electric | 124 MPGe · $750/yr Model S | 146 MPGe · $640/yr Air Pure with 19 inch wheels |
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.
Tesla Model S
Not ahead on any measure listed here.
Lucid Air
- Lower annual fuel cost: $640 vs $750
- Higher combined rating: 146 MPGe vs 124 MPGe
- Higher city rating: 149 MPGe vs 132 MPGe
- Higher highway rating: 142 MPGe vs 116 MPGe
- Longer EPA range: 420 mi vs 410 mi
Year by year
| Model year | Tesla Model S | Lucid Air | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined | Per year | Combined | Per year | |
| 2026 | 93–124 MPGe | $750–$990 | 105–146 MPGe | $640–$880 |
| 2025 | 93–124 MPGe | $750–$990 | 105–146 MPGe | $640–$880 |
| 2024 | 96–122 MPGe | $760–$970 | 105–137 MPGe | $680–$880 |
| 2023 | 120 MPGe | $770 | 111–140 MPGe | $660–$840 |
| 2022 | 101–120 MPGe | $770–$920 | 111–131 MPGe | $710–$840 |
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 Tesla Model S or the Lucid Air?
The Lucid Air is cheaper: about $640 a year against $750 for the Tesla Model S, a difference of $110 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 Lucid Air save over five years?
About $550 ($110 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.
Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Tesla Model S or the Lucid Air?
The Lucid Air is rated 146 MPGe combined against 124 MPGe for the Tesla Model S. City: 132 MPGe vs 149 MPGe. Highway: 116 MPGe vs 142 MPGe. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.
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 Tesla Model S and the Lucid Air in the same class?
Yes. The EPA classes both as Large cars.