Tesla Model S vs Porsche Taycan: fuel economy and fuel cost
In model year 2026 the Tesla Model S is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $750 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Model S, 124 MPGe combined), against $1,000 for the Porsche Taycan (Taycan 4S Perf Battery Plus 19in All-Season (M+S), 93 MPGe combined). That is $250 a year, or $1,250 over five years.
A frequently cross-shopped pair of rivals. 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.
- 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
- Small cars
Porsche Taycan
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Taycan 4S Perf Battery Plus 19in All-Season (M+S)
$6.67 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
315 mi EPA range · 36 kWh/100 mi
17 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
- Porsche Taycan$1,000 a year · $6.67 per 100 mi
Difference per year
$250
Tesla Model S costs less to fuel
Over 5 years
$1,250
$250 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
Head to head, MY2026
| Measure | Tesla Model S | Porsche Taycan |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost configuration | Model S | Taycan 4S Perf Battery Plus 19in All-Season (M+S) |
| Powertrain | Electric | Electric |
| Combined rating | 124 MPGe (better) | 93 MPGe |
| City rating | 132 MPGe (better) | 94 MPGe |
| Highway rating | 116 MPGe (better) | 92 MPGe |
| EPA range | 410 mi (better) | 315 mi |
| Electricity use | 27 kWh/100 mi (better) | 36 kWh/100 mi |
| Annual fuel cost | $750/yr (better) | $1,000/yr |
| Cost per 100 miles | $5.00 (better) | $6.67 |
| Annual cost range, all configurations | $750–$990 | $1,000–$1,200 |
| Configurations in MY2026 | 3 | 17 |
| EPA class | Large cars | Small cars |
Best configuration by powertrain
| Powertrain | Tesla Model S | Porsche Taycan |
|---|---|---|
| Electric | 124 MPGe · $750/yr Model S | 93 MPGe · $1,000/yr Taycan 4S Perf Battery Plus 19in All-Season (M+S) |
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
- Lower annual fuel cost: $750 vs $1,000
- Higher combined rating: 124 MPGe vs 93 MPGe
- Higher city rating: 132 MPGe vs 94 MPGe
- Higher highway rating: 116 MPGe vs 92 MPGe
- Longer EPA range: 410 mi vs 315 mi
Porsche Taycan
Not ahead on any measure listed here.
Year by year
| Model year | Tesla Model S | Porsche Taycan | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined | Per year | Combined | Per year | |
| 2026 | 93–124 MPGe | $750–$990 | 77–93 MPGe | $1,000–$1,200 |
| 2025 | 93–124 MPGe | $750–$990 | 77–93 MPGe | $990–$1,200 |
| 2024 | 96–122 MPGe | $760–$970 | 75–83 MPGe | $1,120–$1,220 |
| 2023 | 120 MPGe | $770 | 75–83 MPGe | $1,110–$1,220 |
| 2022 | 101–120 MPGe | $770–$920 | 70–83 MPGe | $1,120–$1,320 |
| 2021 | 96–120 MPGe | $770–$970 | 70–79 MPGe | $1,170–$1,320 |
| 2020 | 97–117 MPGe | $790–$950 | 68–69 MPGe | $1,340–$1,370 |
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 Porsche Taycan?
The Tesla Model S is cheaper: about $750 a year against $1,000 for the Porsche Taycan, a difference of $250 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 Model S save over five years?
About $1,250 ($250 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 Porsche Taycan?
The Tesla Model S is rated 124 MPGe combined against 93 MPGe for the Porsche Taycan. City: 132 MPGe vs 94 MPGe. Highway: 116 MPGe vs 92 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 Porsche Taycan in the same class?
The EPA classes the Tesla Model S as Large cars and the Porsche Taycan as Small cars, so they are listed as rivals.
Explore these cars
- Tesla Model S: ratings, trims and every model year
- Porsche Taycan: ratings, trims and every model year
- 2026 Tesla Model S: all configurations
- 2026 Porsche Taycan: all configurations
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