Facts last checked . Prices and incentives change often; confirm with Tesla and the program before you order.
North Carolina has the lowest purchase tax of any state on this site except Oregon. Instead of sales tax, cars pay a 3% Highway Use Tax, so a new Tesla here costs thousands less to title than the same car in New York or Illinois.
The trade-off is an annual EV fee, $214.50 for a battery EV on top of normal registration, and no state purchase incentive. Electricity is among the cheapest on this site, at about 15¢/kWh on average, and EVs skip the emissions inspection that gas cars in many counties need.
| Model | Base price | Destination + order fee | Tax (3%) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model 3 Standard RWD | $36,990 | $1,640 | $1,159 | $39,789 |
| Model 3 Premium RWD | $42,490 | $1,640 | $1,324 | $45,454 |
| Model Y Standard RWD | $39,990 | $1,640 | $1,249 | $42,879 |
| Model Y Premium RWD | $45,990 | $1,640 | $1,429 | $49,059 |
North Carolina charges a 3% Highway Use Tax (HUT) on the purchase price instead of sales tax, less any trade-in taken by a dealer. There is no general cap; the $250 cap applies only to new residents titling a car they already owned out of state. Base prices are Tesla’s US prices as reported on 2026-10-26 (tesla.com could not be checked directly). Tax is applied to price plus fees, which is a simplification: title, registration and local fees are extra. Every trim and state is in Tesla price by state.
Ended for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025. Any page still promising $7,500 off a new Tesla is out of date.
For 2025 to 2028, buyers who finance a new US-assembled vehicle for personal use can deduct up to $10,000 a year of loan interest, phasing out at higher incomes. Model 3 and Model Y sold in the US are assembled in California or Texas. Confirm your eligibility with a tax professional.
North Carolina has no statewide EV purchase rebate or tax credit in 2026.
Duke Energy has offered an EV time-of-use rate and credits toward home charger wiring in the Carolinas. Confirm current amounts for Duke Energy Carolinas or Duke Energy Progress before you install.
North Carolina’s single-occupant HOV exemption for EVs expired September 30, 2025 along with the federal authorization.
More on what replaced the federal credit: Tesla tax credit ended.
Average residential rate, 14.9¢/kWh (EIA, August 2026). Time-of-use EV rates lower the overnight price. Gas: AAA state average for regular, 2026-10-26. Assumes 12,000 miles a year, 0.28 kWh per mile for a Model 3 including charging losses, and a 30 mpg gas car at about $3.48/gal. Prices last checked October 26, 2026; we refresh them monthly. Run your own numbers in the savings calculator.
Tesla delivers across the state, including Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, Wilmington and Asheville.
The Model 3 Standard RWD starts at $36,990. Add Tesla's $1,640 destination and order fee and the 3% state rate used on this page and it comes to about $39,789 before title and registration. North Carolina charges a 3% Highway Use Tax (HUT) on the purchase price instead of sales tax, less any trade-in taken by a dealer. There is no general cap; the $250 cap applies only to new residents titling a car they already owned out of state.
A 3% Highway Use Tax on the purchase price, paid when you title the car. There is no separate sales tax. On a $36,990 Model 3 Standard plus Tesla’s fees that is about $1,160.
Only for new residents titling a vehicle they already owned in another state for at least 90 days, and some military purchases. A new car bought in North Carolina pays the full 3%.
$214.50 a year for a battery EV and $107.25 for a plug-in hybrid, charged with your annual registration.
At 15¢/kWh, a Model 3 costs about $4 per 100 miles to charge at home, or roughly $504 a year, versus about $1,392 for a comparable gas car.
More answers in the Tesla FAQ.