Tesla Model 3 RWD vs BYD Seal Premium: charging cost, time & specs in Australia
A side-by-side comparison of the Tesla Model 3 RWD and BYD Seal Premium for buyers in Australia: battery, charging speed, realistic range and what each costs to charge at home and at a public DC station.
Specifications side by side
Units
| Specification | Tesla Model 3 RWD | BYD Seal Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Usable battery capacity | 62.5 kWh | 82.56 kWh (best) |
| DC fast-charge power (peak) | 175 kW (best) | 150 kW |
| Real 10-80% DC time | 15 minutes (best) | 23 minutes |
| AC charge power (onboard) | 11 kW (best) | 7 kW |
| Manufacturer-claimed range | 520 km (WLTP) | 570 km (WLTP) (best) |
| Realistic range estimate | 442 km | 485 km (best) |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | LFP |
10-80% times without a measured figure are estimates assuming constant charging power.
Charging cost comparison
| Scenario | Tesla Model 3 RWD | BYD Seal Premium |
|---|---|---|
| At home (AC) 20% → 80% | $12.38 (best) | $16.35 |
| Public DC 20% → 80% | $22.50 (best) | $29.72 |
Key differences
- BYD Seal Premium carries the bigger battery (82.56 kWh vs 62.5 kWh), about 32% more capacity.
- Tesla Model 3 RWD charges faster on DC (25 kW higher peak, ultra-fast DC vs ultra-fast DC).
- BYD Seal Premium drives farther, about 43 km more on a realistic range basis.
- Both use LFP batteries, so their charging behaviour and care are similar.
- Tesla Model 3 RWD has a stronger onboard AC charger (4 kW higher), so it charges faster at home.
- Tesla Model 3 RWD is more energy efficient, by about 3 kWh/100 km.
What the numbers say
- Faster to 80%: Tesla Model 3 RWD (about 8 minutes ahead of BYD Seal Premium).
- Goes further on a charge: BYD Seal Premium (about 43 km more than Tesla Model 3 RWD, realistic).
- Cheaper to charge at home: Tesla Model 3 RWD (about $3.97 less than BYD Seal Premium).
- Cheaper at a public DC charger: Tesla Model 3 RWD (about $7.22 less than BYD Seal Premium).
As of 2026-06-02
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to charge, the Tesla Model 3 RWD or the BYD Seal Premium?
- At a public DC charger (20-80%), the Tesla Model 3 RWD is the cheaper of the two at about $22.50.
Which charges faster, the Tesla Model 3 RWD or the BYD Seal Premium?
- The Tesla Model 3 RWD reaches 80% sooner, taking about 15 minutes on DC fast charging.
What is a BEV, and how is it different from an EV, PHEV, and HEV?
- EV (electric vehicle) is an umbrella term for any vehicle driven by an electric motor. A BEV (battery electric vehicle) is a fully electric car powered entirely by its battery and charged from the electricity grid, with no petrol engine. This is the type this calculator is built for. A PHEV (plug-in hybrid) pairs a petrol engine with a battery you can charge from the grid. An HEV is an ordinary hybrid that can't be plugged in; its battery recharges itself while you drive. There are also FCEVs, which run on hydrogen fuel cells. This calculator is for cars you charge from the grid (BEVs, and PHEVs in electric mode), so ordinary hybrids like the BYD M6 DM or Nissan Kicks e-Power aren't included.