Tesla Model 3 vs Fiat 500eWhich is cheaper to run?
Over 5 years the Fiat 500e La Prima works out about $2,395 cheaper to own than the Tesla Model 3 RWD, counting price, charging, servicing and tyres. Charging mostly at home in NSW and driving 250 km a week costs about $12.94 a week for the Tesla Model 3 RWD and $12.19 for the Fiat 500e La Prima. The Tesla Model 3 RWD goes further on a charge: 520 km claimed versus 311 km.
Side by side
Comparing the Tesla Model 3 RWD and Fiat 500e La Prima. Better figure in green. Charging assumes 250 km a week, 90% at home.
| Tesla Model 3 RWD | Fiat 500e La Prima | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $54,900+ on-roads | $52,500+ on-roads |
| Claimed range | 520 km | 311 km |
| Battery | 60 kWh | 37.3 kWh |
| Energy use | 13.8 kWh/100 km | 13.0 kWh/100 km |
| Length | 4.72 m | 3.63 m |
| Charging per week (NSW) | $12.94 | $12.19 |
| Servicing per year | $0 | $300 |
| Tyres per year | $520 | $260 |
| Home charger (one-off) | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Full charge at home | 9 hours | 5 hours |
| Max fast charge | 175 kW | 85 kW |
| Warranty | 4 yrs / 80,000 km | 3 yrs / 150,000 km (battery 8 yrs / 160,000 km) |
| 5-year cost to own | $66,865 | $64,470 |
What do "on the road" and "cost to own" mean?
Before on-road costs (+ on-roads): the car's list price only. You pay extra government charges and dealer fees on top when you buy.
On-road costs: stamp duty, first year's registration, compulsory third party (CTP) insurance, number plates and the dealer's delivery fee. They usually add $3,000–6,000 depending on the car and your state. Where a price is "before on-roads" we add about $4,000. See stamp duty and rego by state.
Drive-away: a price that already includes the on-road costs, so it's what you actually pay to drive the car home.
On the road price: the drive-away price, or the list price plus our on-road estimate.
Cost to own: everything you'd spend over the years you keep the car (5 unless you change it): the on the road price, plus a home wall charger for EVs (about $2,000, one-off), plus charging or fuel, scheduled servicing and tyres for every year. Divide it by the number of weeks to see what the car really costs you each week.
Not included: yearly rego renewals and insurance after the first year, finance interest, and what the car is worth when you sell it. These vary too much by person and car to estimate fairly, and resale value is the biggest unknown, especially for newer brands.
Weekly charging cost by state
250 km a week, mostly charged at home, on each state's 2026–27 default electricity rate.
| State | Tesla Model 3 | Fiat 500e |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | $12.94 | $12.19 |
| Victoria | $11.23 | $10.58 |
| Queensland | $11.11 | $10.47 |
| South Australia | $15.42 | $14.53 |
| WA | $12.75 | $12.02 |
| Tasmania | $10.12 | $9.53 |
| ACT | $13.90 | $13.10 |
| NT | $11.76 | $11.08 |
Common questions
Is the Tesla Model 3 or Fiat 500e cheaper to own?
The Fiat 500e La Prima is about $2,395 cheaper to own over 5 years. This counts the price, charging mostly at home, scheduled servicing and tyres, driving 250 km a week in NSW.
Which is cheaper to charge, the Tesla Model 3 or Fiat 500e?
In NSW, charging mostly at home, the Tesla Model 3 RWD costs about $12.94 a week and the Fiat 500e La Prima about $12.19 for 250 km of driving.
Which has more range, the Tesla Model 3 or Fiat 500e?
The Tesla Model 3 RWD has a claimed range of 520 km, versus 311 km. Expect less at highway speeds.
Which is bigger, the Tesla Model 3 or Fiat 500e?
The Tesla Model 3 is 4.72 m long and the Fiat 500e is 3.63 m long.
More comparisons
Tesla Model 3
How we work it out, and our sources
Weekly cost = the car's energy use × 250 km × your electricity or fuel price, with 90% of charging at home. Prices are list prices at October 2026; check with the dealer.
- Electricity: 2026–27 default rates (AER, Victorian Default Offer, state retailers). Public charging: Sydney network prices, July 2026.
- Petrol and diesel: ACCC capital-city averages, 21 October 2026.
- Cars: maker figures via CarExpert, Drive, CarsGuide and EV Central. Plug-in electric range is taken as 80% of the claim.
- Servicing: published capped prices; marked as an estimate where not yet published (CarExpert comparison).
- Tyres: an EV set lasts about 35,000 km, a petrol or hybrid set 50,000 km (RACV); prices from Gridly.
- Home charger: about $2,000 installed ($1,000–$3,000). Novated leases: PwC summary.
Printed from EV Pick · evpick.com.au. Prices and costs are estimates; check with the dealer. © 2026 EV Pick (T. Crouch). For personal use only; not to be copied, republished or sold without permission.