Vehicle comparison
BMW i4 vs Tesla Model 3
Side-by-side fuel and ownership cost comparison. Estimates use 12,000 mi/year at average US gas and electricity prices.
- Updated for 2026
- EPA-style MPG
- US avg fuel prices
- EV rates vary by state
- Transparent assumptions
Lowest running cost
Tesla Model 3 wins on fuel cost
At 12,000 miles per year, the Tesla Model 3 costs about $480 per year, roughly $102 less than the BMW i4. Over 5 years, that's about $509 in fuel savings.
Spec & cost comparison
MPG/MPGe figures are estimates based on typical recent model years.
| Spec | BMW i4 | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | EV | EV |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| City MPG/MPGe | 114 | 138 |
| Highway MPG/MPGe | 100 | 126 |
| Combined MPG/MPGe | 107 | 132 |
| Battery (kWh) | 81 kWh | 60 kWh |
| Energy cost | $0.16/kWh | $0.16/kWh |
| Cost per mile | $0.048 | $0.040 |
Annual cost at 8k / 12k / 15k miles
Estimated yearly charging spend at common US mileage levels.
| Miles/year | BMW i4 | Tesla Model 3 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 | $388/yr · $32/mo | $320/yr · $27/mo | $68 (Tesla Model 3) |
| 12,000 | $582/yr · $48/mo | $480/yr · $40/mo | $102 (Tesla Model 3) |
| 15,000 | $727/yr · $61/mo | $600/yr · $50/mo | $127 (Tesla Model 3) |
Estimates only. Real costs depend on driving style, terrain, local gas/electricity prices and weather.
Which one is best for…
Best for commuting
Tesla Model 3
Highest combined MPG/MPGe and lowest cost per mile means cheaper daily driving.
See Tesla Model 3Best for road trips
Tesla Model 3
Better highway efficiency, larger tank/battery and longer range between stops.
See Tesla Model 3Best for families
Tesla Model 3
SUVs, minivans and three-row vehicles win on space and child-seat flexibility.
See Tesla Model 3Best for lowest running cost
Tesla Model 3
Cheaper energy use and lower cost per mile at every common mileage tier.
See Tesla Model 3How we compare these vehicles
- Annual mileage
- Modeled at 12,000 mi/yr unless a scenario specifies otherwise.
- Cost per mile
- $/gal ÷ MPG, or $/kWh ÷ (MPGe ÷ 33.7) for EVs.
- EV vs gas
- Compared at average US gas and residential electricity prices — fast-charging can be 2–3× higher.
- Maintenance
- Fuel cost only — EVs typically save another $400–$1,000/yr in service and brake wear.
Sources & assumptions
- EPA fuel economy data — City / highway / combined MPG and MPGe baselines.
- U.S. Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov) — Vehicle efficiency and EV range references.
- AAA gas price trends — Recent national and regional retail fuel averages.
- EIA electricity rates — Average residential per-kWh prices used for EV charging.
We summarize publicly available data — no scraping, no external API calls. Figures are calibrated periodically; use the calculators above for your exact inputs.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to drive, the BMW i4 or Tesla Model 3?
At 12,000 miles per year, the Tesla Model 3 costs about $480 per year vs $582 for the BMW i4 — roughly $102 less per year.
What's the MPG difference between the BMW i4 and Tesla Model 3?
The BMW i4 is rated around 107 combined MPGe versus 132 MPGe for the Tesla Model 3. Highway figures are 100 vs 126.
How much will I spend on charging over 5 years?
Driving 12,000 miles a year for five years, expect about $2909 for the BMW i4 and $2400 for the Tesla Model 3, a difference of roughly $509.
Is the BMW i4 or Tesla Model 3 better for commuting?
For pure cost per mile, the Tesla Model 3 wins. EVs charged at home typically deliver the lowest commuting cost, followed by hybrids and efficient compacts.
Which one is better for road trips?
Tesla Model 3 is generally the better road-trip choice — gas and hybrid vehicles win on long highway routes thanks to faster refueling, while EVs work best when charging stops fit your route.
Are these fuel cost numbers accurate for my driving?
They're estimates based on EPA-style combined MPG and average US gas and electricity prices. Real-world cost depends on local fuel prices, driving style, terrain, weather and how much city vs highway driving you do.