Chevrolet Bolt vs Tesla Model 3: cost to own
Verdict, over 6 years
The Chevrolet Bolt costs about $10,963 less
That's $152 a month. Closest matching trims: same fuel and drive where possible.Bolt LT✓ $981/moTrue cost
Model 3 Premium Rear-Wheel Drive$1,133/moTrue cost
2027 Chevrolet BoltClosest matching trim: Bolt LT
Sticker (MSRP)$39,999
+$4,091→↓Freight, fees, HST
Drive away$44,090
+ running costs→↓− $13,831 resale
True cost$981/moA month to own, after resale
2026 Tesla Model 3Closest matching trim: Model 3 Premium Rear-Wheel Drive
Sticker (MSRP)$39,490
+$8,406→↓Freight, fees, HST
Drive away$47,896
+ running costs→↓− $14,513 resale
True cost$1,133/moA month to own, after resale
Line by line
| Price | |||
| Sticker (MSRP) | $39,999 | ✓ $39,490 | Model 3 by $509 |
| Freight and fees, before tax | $3,444 | ✓ $2,896 | Model 3 by $548 |
| Sales tax (HST) | $5,648 | ✓ $5,510 | Model 3 by $138 |
| EV rebate | −$5,000 | — | — |
| Drive-away price | ✓ $44,090 | $47,896 | Bolt by $3,806 |
| Running costs, 6 years | |||
| Fuel or charging | $2,724 | ✓ $2,573 | Model 3 by $151 |
| Insurance (estimate) | ✓ $14,385 | $19,796 | Bolt by $5,411 |
| Maintenance (estimate) | ✓ $5,685 | $6,730 | Bolt by $1,045 |
| Loan rate | 6.5% | 6.5% | — |
| Loan interest | ✓ $8,221 | $9,022 | Bolt by $801 |
| Lost return on your money | ✓ $9,242 | $9,976 | Bolt by $734 |
| Resale after 6 yrs | −$13,831 | ✓ −$14,513 | Model 3 by $682 |
| Total | |||
| True cost | ✓ $70,608 | $81,572 | Bolt by $10,964 |
| True cost a month | ✓ $981/mo | $1,133/mo | Bolt by $152 |
| You pay each month | ✓ $975/mo | $1,127/mo | Bolt by $152 |
| Practical | |||
| Fuel type | Electric | Electric | — |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | — |
| Carry-ons, 2 people | Not published | Not published | — |
| Fast charge, minutes | 25 (10-80%) | — | — |
| Cargo behind row 2, litres | Not published | Not published | — |
| Range, km (winter about 70%) | 422 (295) | ✓ 463 (324) | — |
| Length | 4.31 m | — | — |
| Ground clearance | 14 cm | — | — |
| Resale % after 6 yrs | 35% | ✓ 37% | — |
| US crash test | Not rated yet | ✓ 5★ | — |
| European crash test | — | ✓ 5★ (2025) | — |
Price
Sticker (MSRP)
Freight and fees, before tax
Sales tax (HST)
EV rebate
Drive-away price
Running costs, 6 years
Fuel or charging
Insurance (estimate)
Maintenance (estimate)
Loan rate
Loan interest
Lost return on your money
Resale after 6 yrs
Total
True cost
True cost a month
You pay each month
Practical
Fuel type
Seats
Carry-ons, 2 people
Fast charge, minutes
Cargo behind row 2, litres
Range, km (winter about 70%)
Length
Ground clearance
Resale % after 6 yrs
US crash test
European crash test
✓ marks the better figure. Resale is from used prices: the Bolt typical for its type and brand, the Model 3 from its own. Their stickers differ by $509.