Vehicle comparison
Lucid Air vs Tesla Model S
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
Lucid Air wins on fuel cost
At 12,000 miles per year, the Lucid Air costs about $480 per year, roughly $53 less than the Tesla Model S. Over 5 years, that's about $267 in fuel savings.
Spec & cost comparison
MPG/MPGe figures are estimates based on typical recent model years.
| Spec | Lucid Air | Tesla Model S |
|---|---|---|
| Type | EV | EV |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| City MPG/MPGe | 137 | 124 |
| Highway MPG/MPGe | 131 | 115 |
| Combined MPG/MPGe | 134 | 120 |
| Battery (kWh) | 118 kWh | 100 kWh |
| Energy cost | $0.16/kWh | $0.16/kWh |
| Cost per mile | $0.040 | $0.044 |
Annual cost at 8k / 12k / 15k miles
Estimated yearly charging spend at common US mileage levels.
| Miles/year | Lucid Air | Tesla Model S | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 | $320/yr · $27/mo | $356/yr · $30/mo | $36 (Lucid Air) |
| 12,000 | $480/yr · $40/mo | $533/yr · $44/mo | $53 (Lucid Air) |
| 15,000 | $600/yr · $50/mo | $667/yr · $56/mo | $67 (Lucid Air) |
Estimates only. Real costs depend on driving style, terrain, local gas/electricity prices and weather.
Which one is best for…
Best for commuting
Lucid Air
Highest combined MPG/MPGe and lowest cost per mile means cheaper daily driving.
See Lucid AirBest for road trips
Lucid Air
Better highway efficiency, larger tank/battery and longer range between stops.
See Lucid AirBest for families
Lucid Air
SUVs, minivans and three-row vehicles win on space and child-seat flexibility.
See Lucid AirBest for lowest running cost
Lucid Air
Cheaper energy use and lower cost per mile at every common mileage tier.
See Lucid AirHow 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 Lucid Air or Tesla Model S?
At 12,000 miles per year, the Lucid Air costs about $480 per year vs $533 for the Tesla Model S — roughly $53 less per year.
What's the MPG difference between the Lucid Air and Tesla Model S?
The Lucid Air is rated around 134 combined MPGe versus 120 MPGe for the Tesla Model S. Highway figures are 131 vs 115.
How much will I spend on charging over 5 years?
Driving 12,000 miles a year for five years, expect about $2400 for the Lucid Air and $2667 for the Tesla Model S, a difference of roughly $267.
Is the Lucid Air or Tesla Model S better for commuting?
For pure cost per mile, the Lucid Air wins. EVs charged at home typically deliver the lowest commuting cost, followed by hybrids and efficient compacts.
Which one is better for road trips?
Lucid Air 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.