Tesla Model S running costs, insurance, warranty & tax
The running costs of the Tesla Model S are very low, but the asking price is sky-high
| Insurance group | Warranty | Service intervals | Annual company-car tax cost (20%/40%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 4yrs/50,000 miles | 1yr/12,500 miles | From £384/£767 |
Even the most basic Tesla Model S isn’t cheap; when it was last available to order, prices started from around £80,000. But the good news is that running costs are typically low. A Model S Long Range can be topped up at home for around £15, or less using cheaper night-time electricity rates. It's also Congestion Charge-exempt in London until October 2025; this could save you £15 every time you drive through the centre of the UK's capital.
Tesla Model S insurance group
All versions of the Tesla Model S are in insurance group 50 – the highest possible bracket – mainly because of its rapid acceleration and high replacement cost. Unsurprisingly, Model S policies won’t be cheap.
Warranty
The Tesla Model S comes with a four-year/50,000-mile warranty, while the battery is guaranteed for eight years and an unlimited amount of miles in that time.
Servicing
Tesla recommends the Model S be serviced every 12 months or 12,500 miles, whichever comes first. Tesla offers three and four-year maintenance plans for its vehicles, covering consumables such as wiper blades and brake fluid. These plans should help keep costs more transparent and manageable in the long run.
Road tax
As an electric car, the Tesla Model S has no tailpipe emissions at all, so there's no road tax (VED) to pay.
