How Much Does It Cost to Make a Tesla?

Ever wondered, “How much does it cost to make a Tesla?” Well, wonder no more. We’ve got the scoop on the reduced costs and high profits of America's top EV company.
Written by Elaine Duvet
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
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You may have thought to yourself during your second morning cup of coffee, “How much does it cost to make a Tesla?” Well, we’re here to tell you that you no longer need to ponder over one of life’s greatest mysteries. 
Jerry
, the
trustworthy insurance comparison app
, looks into how much it actually costs to make a
Tesla

How much does it cost to make a Tesla? Here’s what to know

In the early days, critics claimed Tesla could never be profitable, primarily because of the high cost of electric batteries. But we’d say Tesla’s doing pretty well. $1 trillion well. 
According to
USA Today
, Tesla produced 305,840 vehicles in Q4 2021, resulting in an 83% growth from the previous year’s statistics. Additionally, the American EV company almost doubled its profits, going from $7 billion to a whopping $14 billion. Tesla attributes much of its recent financial success to a decrease in vehicle production costs. 
So how much does it cost to make a Tesla? The average manufacturing cost per unit is $36,000. And the U.S. automaker’s cheapest electric car, the Tesla Model 3 RWD, goes for $44,990. You can find the Tesla Model Y for $60,000 and the Tesla Model S and X start at around $95,000 and $105,000. 
Thanks to these numbers, the American company earned the highest operating margin across all volume OEMs in the last widely reported quarter of 2021. 
With new battery technology in development, Tesla aims to further reduce its per unit cost. The company continues to minimize the cost of its products by incorporating 4680 cells, a structural battery pack, and large castings. Tesla also saves exponentially by not advertising like its competitors. Or should we say, what competitors?
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Tesla’s coming out on top

Analysts predict even more 2022 growth from Tesla’s new factory in
Austin, Texas
. In 2021, the company delivered almost 940,000 vehicles, putting the previous year’s 509,737 stats to shame. 
After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the early days of the pandemic, in October 2021, Hertz partnered with Tesla, pledging to buy 100,000 units by the end of 2022. As a result, Tesla’s market cap spiked to $1 trillion. 
While it doesn’t cost too much to make a Tesla, it sure does to buy one. Fortunately, Tesla consumers have taken advantage of various electric vehicle rebates, which differ from state to state. Tesla’s vehicles have also become more appealing to the masses, thanks to President Joe Biden’s expanded electric vehicle infrastructure.
MORE: Tesla’s ‘Full Self-Driving’ Feature Will Now Cost Drivers an Extra $15,000. Is It Even Worth It?

How much does it cost to make a Tesla? It should be less than insuring your electric vehicle 

Whether you own a best-selling Tesla Model 3 or a new 2023 Nissan Leaf, your electric deserves the best of the best when it comes to
car insurance
. But awesome coverage doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank. Did you know most Americans overpay for their policy every month?
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