How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Tesla in Ontario? (Burlington & GTA-West Guide)
- Rick Paletta
- Jan 19
- 7 min read
In Ontario, Tesla charging cost depends mostly on where you charge (home vs Supercharger) and when you charge (off-peak vs peak)—and your real-world usage (winter, highway, accessories) can shift the budget.
If you’re shopping for a Tesla around Burlington, Hamilton, Oakville, Milton, or Mississauga, charging cost is usually one of the first “OK but what will it actually cost me?” questions.
Good news: you don’t need a spreadsheet the size of the QEW to get a solid answer. You just need two numbers:
your Tesla’s typical energy use (kWh/100 km), and
the $/kWh you pay at home or on public charging.
Key Takeaways
Ontario electricity pricing changes by plan and time: the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) lists Time-of-Use (TOU) and Ultra-Low Overnight (ULO) prices that can make overnight charging much cheaper.
A Model 3 or Model Y can be very affordable to charge at home—often just a few dollars per week for many commuters—especially if most charging happens overnight (actual bills vary because delivery and other charges apply).
Supercharger pricing varies by location and time, and Tesla is increasingly using time-based or dynamic pricing—so always check pricing in the Tesla app/navigation before you plug in.
If you’re budgeting for a used Tesla, think “monthly payment + insurance + charging” together. Our team can help you map that out with options O.A.C. through our financing page and match it to what’s available in our inventory.
1) The simple formula: cost to charge a Tesla
Use this every time:
Charging cost = kWh used × $/kWh
Example: if you use 200 kWh in a month and your overnight rate averages $0.098/kWh, then:
200 × 0.098 = $19.60 (energy portion)
Two quick notes for Ontario:
The OEB “price” is the electricity commodity price, but your bill also includes delivery and other line items that can change your real all-in cost per kWh. The OEB explains these bill components and publishes a bill calculator.
Real-world charging usually has losses (often ~10–15%) from heat, battery conditioning, and conversion. So it’s smart to add a small buffer to your estimate.
2) Ontario electricity prices that matter for EV charging (TOU, ULO, Tiered)
The Ontario Energy Board publishes current electricity prices (updated annually on November 1). For Nov 1, 2025 pricing, the OEB lists:
Time-of-Use (TOU) prices (¢/kWh)
Off-peak: 9.8¢/kWh
Mid-peak: 15.7¢/kWh
On-peak: 20.3¢/kWh
Ultra-Low Overnight (ULO) prices (¢/kWh)
Ultra-low overnight (11 p.m.–7 a.m.): 3.9¢/kWh
Weekend off-peak: 9.8¢/kWh
Mid-peak: 15.7¢/kWh
On-peak (4 p.m.–9 p.m.): 39.1¢/kWh
Tiered prices (¢/kWh)
Tier 1: 12.0¢/kWh (up to threshold)
Tier 2: 14.2¢/kWh (above threshold)
What this means in plain language:If you can plug in overnight (even a few nights a week), Ontario’s TOU or ULO plans can make your cost per 100 km surprisingly low. If you mostly charge between 4–9 p.m. on ULO, it can be dramatically more expensive.
3) Tesla efficiency: the number that drives your cost (kWh/100 km)
Different Tesla trims use different energy. Tesla publishes power consumption figures (WLTP-based) in kWh/100 km for many models and trims.
For easy budgeting, here are common ballpark figures from Tesla’s own consumption table:
Model 3 Long Range AWD: 14.3 kWh/100 km
Model Y Long Range AWD: 15.3 kWh/100 km
Real-world driving in Southern Ontario can be higher than test numbers—especially in winter around Halton Hills, Guelph, or Cambridge where you might see more highway speeds, cold starts, snow tires, cabin heat, and slushy roads.
Practical rule of thumb: add 10–25% buffer for winter + highway-heavy months.
4) Cost per 100 km in Ontario: Model 3 vs Model Y (easy examples)
Using the OEB prices above and Tesla’s consumption numbers, here’s the electricity price portion estimate.
Tesla Model 3 (14.3 kWh/100 km)
ULO overnight (3.9¢/kWh): 14.3 × $0.039 = $0.56 per 100 km
TOU off-peak (9.8¢/kWh): 14.3 × $0.098 = $1.40 per 100 km
TOU on-peak (20.3¢/kWh): 14.3 × $0.203 = $2.90 per 100 km
Tesla Model Y (15.3 kWh/100 km)
ULO overnight (3.9¢/kWh): 15.3 × $0.039 = $0.60 per 100 km
TOU off-peak (9.8¢/kWh): 15.3 × $0.098 = $1.50 per 100 km
TOU on-peak (20.3¢/kWh): 15.3 × $0.203 = $3.11 per 100 km
Add your buffer: if you assume ~15% losses + winter impact, multiply those numbers by about 1.15 for a more conservative budget.
5) What does that look like per month for a Burlington/Hamilton commuter?
Let’s use a common GTA-West driving pattern: 1,500 km/month (work + errands + a couple longer trips).
If your Tesla averages 15 kWh/100 km, you’ll use:
1,500 km ÷ 100 = 15
15 × 15 kWh = 225 kWh/month
Now apply Ontario pricing (electricity portion only):
TOU off-peak: 225 × $0.098 = $22.05/month
ULO overnight: 225 × $0.039 = $8.78/month
Then add a realistic buffer for losses/winter:
Off-peak might land closer to $25–$35/month for many drivers
ULO overnight might land closer to $10–$20/month
If you’re commuting between Burlington and Toronto, or doing daily runs across Mississauga and Brampton, your km/month could be higher—so the best “real” budget is still based on your kilometres.
6) Home charging setup: Level 1 vs Level 2 (and what it can cost)
Level 1 (120V): cheapest equipment, slowest
This is the “regular outlet” option. It can work if you drive less or you can plug in for long stretches, but it’s often slow for heavier daily commuters.
Level 2 (240V): the sweet spot for most Tesla owners
If you want the easiest day-to-day life, Level 2 is usually the move—especially if you’re doing highway miles on the QEW/403 corridor.
Tesla’s Wall Connector is a popular option and Tesla notes it can deliver up to 11.5 kW / 48A and “up to 71 km of range per hour” (vehicle-dependent). You can see the current product details in Tesla’s Wall Connector listing.
Installation cost in Ontario: This varies a lot based on your panel capacity, distance to the garage, and whether you need upgrades. Ontario installers commonly quote a broad range, and one Ontario-based estimate pegs many complete installs around $1,500–$2,800, with complex installs potentially higher.
Budget tip: if you’re buying a used Tesla and you’re payment-focused, include “charger + install” in your plan. If you’re not sure what fits your budget, start with a quick pre-approval through our finance application (financing options available for many credit situations O.A.C.) and then choose a vehicle from our used inventory that keeps the whole monthly picture comfortable.
7) Superchargers and public charging: what it can cost (and why it swings)
Public fast charging is about convenience and time saved—especially for road trips or if you don’t have home charging (condo/apartment life in Oakville or downtown Hamilton, for example).
Tesla Supercharger pricing isn’t “one fixed rate”
Tesla explains how to locate and use Superchargers via in-car routing and guidance, and pricing is shown to owners in the app/vehicle before charging.
In Canada, Superchargers have moved toward per-kWh billing, and some reporting has shown higher-powered sites often pricing higher than lower-powered sites (examples reported around $0.47/kWh at many 150/250 kW locations in one review).
Tesla has also been experimenting with off-peak and dynamic pricing approaches in different regions, which reinforces the “check before you plug in” habit.
Practical budgeting tip (Ontario):
If most of your charging is at home overnight, Superchargers become an occasional travel cost.
If you rely mostly on DC fast charging week-to-week, your running costs can be closer to (or sometimes above) what you’d expect from a very efficient gas car—depending on the station price that day.
8) “Should I buy a Tesla if I can’t charge at home?”
You can, but plan it properly—especially around the Burlington-to-Hamilton corridor.
Ask yourself:
Do you have reliable workplace charging in Mississauga or Toronto?
Are there fast chargers near your regular routes (gym, groceries, kids’ activities)?
Are you okay with charging time becoming a weekly routine?
If the answer is “maybe,” here’s a smoother path:
Shop for a Tesla with range that fits your real routine (not your once-a-year road trip).
Budget using a blended rate (some home, some public).
Keep your monthly payment comfortable so charging swings don’t stress your budget.
That’s exactly how our team approaches EV buying—finance-first, practical, and built around real life in Burlington and surrounding towns like Milton and Halton Hills.
9) Buying used: charging cost is only one part of “monthly affordability”
When you’re shopping used, the best decision is the one that fits your full monthly picture:
Vehicle payment (term + rate + down payment)
Insurance
Charging (home vs public)
Tires (winter set if needed)
Maintenance basics
If you’re rebuilding credit, new to Canada, or recovering from a life event, there are still options—financing available for many credit situations O.A.C. Start with our finance page, and then browse our vehicle inventory to find something that makes sense for your commute and your budget.
Conclusion: the “real” Tesla charging cost in Ontario
Most Ontario Tesla owners save the most by charging at home, overnight—especially on TOU off-peak or ULO overnight pricing. If you’re mostly using Superchargers, costs can vary a lot more, so it’s smart to treat public fast charging as a convenience tool and check pricing in-app before each session.
If you want, we can help you pick a Tesla (or another EV) that matches how you actually drive around Burlington, Hamilton, Oakville, and Milton—and build a monthly plan that feels comfortable. Start with a no-pressure step on our financing page, then take a look at what’s available in our inventory.
FAQ
How much does it cost to fully charge a Tesla at home in Ontario?
Take your battery size (kWh) and multiply by your effective $/kWh. For example, at 9.8¢/kWh off-peak (energy portion), 60 kWh would be about $5.88—then add a buffer for losses and bill line items.
Is Ultra-Low Overnight (ULO) worth it for EV charging?
If you can do most of your charging between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., ULO’s 3.9¢/kWh ultra-low overnight price can be a big win. If you often charge during 4–9 p.m., ULO can be expensive.
What’s cheaper: Supercharging or home charging?
Home charging is usually cheaper in Ontario, especially overnight. Supercharging is about speed and convenience, and pricing varies by site and time—Tesla may use time-based or dynamic pricing, so check the Tesla app/navigation before you start.
How much does it cost to install a Level 2 charger in Ontario?
It depends on your panel and wiring distance. Many Ontario estimates land around $1,500–$2,800 for a complete install, with some homes needing more. Always use a licensed electrician and permits where required.
Does winter driving in Ontario increase Tesla charging costs?
Yes. Cold weather, snow tires, and cabin heat can increase energy use, meaning more kWh purchased per 100 km. A simple way to budget is adding a 10–25% buffer in winter months.
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With over four decades in the automotive industry, Dealer Principal Rick Paletta is a trusted name across the Hamilton–Burlington region. Born and raised locally, Rick is respected for his integrity, work ethic, and people-first leadership—and he still loves this business because it’s about helping neighbours, building relationships, and matching people with vehicles they’re excited to drive. His commitment to the community shows up in consistent giving, including long-running support of McMaster Children’s Hospital through Car Nation Cares.