SEC Info  
    Home      Search      My Interests      Help      Sign In      Please Sign In

Tesla, Inc. – ‘10-K’ for 12/31/17 – ‘XML’

On:  Friday, 2/23/18, at 6:07am ET   ·   For:  12/31/17   ·   Accession #:  1564590-18-2956   ·   File #:  1-34756

Previous ‘10-K’:  ‘10-K’ on 3/1/17 for 12/31/16   ·   Next:  ‘10-K’ on 2/19/19 for 12/31/18   ·   Latest:  ‘10-K’ on 1/29/24 for 12/31/23   ·   9 References:   

Find Words in Filings emoji
 
  in    Show  and   Hints

  As Of               Filer                 Filing    For·On·As Docs:Size             Issuer                      Filing Agent

 2/23/18  Tesla, Inc.                       10-K       12/31/17  152:24M                                    ActiveDisclosure/FA

Annual Report   —   Form 10-K   —   Sect. 13 / 15(d) – SEA’34
Filing Table of Contents

Document/Exhibit                   Description                      Pages   Size 

 1: 10-K        Annual Report                                       HTML   2.07M 
 2: EX-10.4     Material Contract                                   HTML    129K 
 3: EX-10.44    Material Contract                                   HTML    226K 
 4: EX-10.46    Material Contract                                   HTML    226K 
 6: EX-21.1     Subsidiaries List                                   HTML     97K 
 7: EX-23.1     Consent of Experts or Counsel                       HTML     45K 
 8: EX-23.2     Consent of Experts or Counsel                       HTML     47K 
 5: EX-12.1     Statement re: Computation of Ratios                 HTML     71K 
 9: EX-31.1     Certification -- §302 - SOA'02                      HTML     53K 
10: EX-31.2     Certification -- §302 - SOA'02                      HTML     53K 
11: EX-32.1     Certification -- §906 - SOA'02                      HTML     48K 
18: R1          Document and Entity Information                     HTML     74K 
19: R2          Consolidated Balance Sheets                         HTML    167K 
20: R3          Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)         HTML     63K 
21: R4          Consolidated Statements of Operations               HTML    123K 
22: R5          Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss       HTML     68K 
23: R6          Consolidated Statements of Redeemable               HTML    145K 
                Noncontrolling Interest and Stockholders' Equity                 
24: R7          Consolidated Statements of Redeemable               HTML     48K 
                Noncontrolling Interest and Stockholders' Equity                 
                (Parenthetical)                                                  
25: R8          Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows               HTML    178K 
26: R9          Overview                                            HTML     47K 
27: R10         Summary of Significant Accounting Policies          HTML    291K 
28: R11         Business Combinations                               HTML    203K 
29: R12         Goodwill and Intangible Assets                      HTML    188K 
30: R13         Fair Value of Financial Instruments                 HTML    170K 
31: R14         Inventory                                           HTML     71K 
32: R15         Solar Energy Systems, Leased and To Be Leased -     HTML     81K 
                Net                                                              
33: R16         Property, Plant, and Equipment                      HTML     90K 
34: R17         Non-cancellable Operating Lease Payments            HTML     61K 
                Receivable                                                       
35: R18         Accrued Liabilities and Other                       HTML     77K 
36: R19         Other Long-Term Liabilities                         HTML     74K 
37: R20         Customer Deposits                                   HTML     47K 
38: R21         Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations          HTML    598K 
39: R22         Common Stock                                        HTML     51K 
40: R23         Equity Incentive Plans                              HTML    272K 
41: R24         Income Taxes                                        HTML    306K 
42: R25         Commitments and Contingencies                       HTML    116K 
43: R26         VIE Arrangements                                    HTML    134K 
44: R27         Lease Pass-Through Financing Obligation             HTML     65K 
45: R28         Defined Contribution Plan                           HTML     49K 
46: R29         Related Party Transactions                          HTML     66K 
47: R30         Quarterly Results of Operations                     HTML    129K 
48: R31         Segment Reporting and Information about Geographic  HTML    117K 
                Areas                                                            
49: R32         Subsequent Events                                   HTML     49K 
50: R33         Summary of Significant Accounting Policies          HTML    381K 
                (Policies)                                                       
51: R34         Summary of Significant Accounting Policies          HTML    214K 
                (Tables)                                                         
52: R35         Business Combinations (Tables)                      HTML    201K 
53: R36         Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)             HTML    186K 
54: R37         Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)        HTML    166K 
55: R38         Inventory (Tables)                                  HTML     70K 
56: R39         Solar Energy Systems, Leased and To Be Leased -     HTML     82K 
                Net (Tables)                                                     
57: R40         Property, Plant, and Equipment (Tables)             HTML     86K 
58: R41         Non-cancellable Operating Lease Payments            HTML     59K 
                Receivable (Tables)                                              
59: R42         Accrued Liabilities and Other (Tables)              HTML     76K 
60: R43         Other Long-Term Liabilities (Tables)                HTML     73K 
61: R44         Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations          HTML    531K 
                (Tables)                                                         
62: R45         Equity Incentive Plans (Tables)                     HTML    255K 
63: R46         Income Taxes (Tables)                               HTML    304K 
64: R47         Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)              HTML     89K 
65: R48         VIE Arrangements (Tables)                           HTML    135K 
66: R49         Lease Pass-Through Financing Obligation (Tables)    HTML     60K 
67: R50         Related Party Transactions (Tables)                 HTML     63K 
68: R51         Quarterly Results of Operations (Tables)            HTML    129K 
69: R52         Segment Reporting and Information about Geographic  HTML    122K 
                Areas (Tables)                                                   
70: R53         Overview - Additional Information (Detail)          HTML     46K 
71: R54         Summary of Significant Accounting Policies -        HTML    176K 
                Additional Information (Detail)                                  
72: R55         Summary of Significant Accounting Policies -        HTML     91K 
                Schedule of Account Activity Related to Resale                   
                Value Guarantee Program (Detail)                                 
73: R56         Summary of Significant Accounting Policies -        HTML     55K 
                Schedule of Potentially Dilutive Shares that were                
                Excluded from Computation of Diluted Net Income                  
                (Loss) per Share of Common Stock (Detail)                        
74: R57         Summary of Significant Accounting Policies -        HTML     55K 
                Estimated Useful Lives of Respective Assets                      
                (Detail)                                                         
75: R58         Summary of Significant Accounting Policies -        HTML     57K 
                Schedule of Estimated Useful Lives of Related                    
                Assets (Detail)                                                  
76: R59         Summary of Significant Accounting Policies -        HTML     57K 
                Schedule of Accrued Warranty Activity (Detail)                   
77: R60         Business Combinations - Additional Information      HTML     82K 
                (Detail)                                                         
78: R61         Business Combinations - Schedule of Fair Values of  HTML    119K 
                the Assets Acquired and the Liabilities Assumed                  
                (Detail)                                                         
79: R62         Business Combinations - Schedule of Fair Values of  HTML     76K 
                the Identified Intangible Assets and their Useful                
                Lives (Detail)                                                   
80: R63         Business Combinations - Schedule of Fair Value of   HTML     53K 
                the Consideration Transferred as of Acquisition                  
                Date (Detail)                                                    
81: R64         Business Combinations - Schedule of the Fair Value  HTML     51K 
                of Consideration Transferred as of Acquisition                   
                Date (Parenthetical) (Detail)                                    
82: R65         Business Combinations - Schedule of Unaudited Pro   HTML     54K 
                Forma Information (Detail)                                       
83: R66         Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Additional         HTML     47K 
                Information (Detail)                                             
84: R67         Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Summary of         HTML     75K 
                Acquired Intangible Assets (Detail)                              
85: R68         Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Total Future       HTML     61K 
                Amortization Expense for Intangible Assets                       
                (Detail)                                                         
86: R69         Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Schedule of   HTML     60K 
                Fair Value Hierarchy of Financial Assets Carried                 
                at Fair Value (Detail)                                           
87: R70         Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Additional    HTML     78K 
                Information (Detail)                                             
88: R71         Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Schedule of   HTML     60K 
                Interest Rate Swaps Outstanding (Detail)                         
89: R72         Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Schedule of   HTML     62K 
                Estimated Fair Values and Carrying Values (Detail)               
90: R73         Inventory - Schedule of Inventory (Detail)          HTML     58K 
91: R74         Inventory - Additional Information (Detail)         HTML     50K 
92: R75         Solar Energy Systems, Leased and To Be Leased -     HTML     62K 
                Net - Components of Solar Energy Systems, Leased                 
                and to Be Leased (Detail)                                        
93: R76         Solar Energy Systems, Leased and To Be Leased -     HTML     52K 
                Net - Components of Solar Energy Systems, Leased                 
                and to Be Leased (Parenthetical) (Detail)                        
94: R77         Property Plant and Equipment - Schedule of          HTML     69K 
                Property, Plant and Equipment, Net (Detail)                      
95: R78         Property Plant and Equipment - Additional           HTML     70K 
                Information (Detail)                                             
96: R79         Non-cancellable Operating Lease Payments            HTML     59K 
                Receivable - Schedule of Future Minimum Lease                    
                Payments Non-cancellable Operating Leases (Detail)               
97: R80         Accrued Liabilities and Other - Schedule of         HTML     61K 
                Accrued Liabilities and Other Current Liabilities                
                (Detail)                                                         
98: R81         Other Long-term Liabilities - Schedule of Other     HTML     58K 
                Long-term Liabilities (Detail)                                   
99: R82         Customer Deposits - Additional Information          HTML     46K 
                (Detail)                                                         
100: R83         Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations -        HTML    185K  
                Summary of Debt (Detail)                                         
101: R84         Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations -        HTML     51K  
                Summary of Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)                         
102: R85         Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations - 2018   HTML    119K  
                Notes, Bond Hedges and Warrant Transactions -                    
                Additional Information (Detail)                                  
103: R86         Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations - 2019   HTML    118K  
                Notes, 2021 Notes, Bond Hedges and Warrant                       
                Transactions - Additional Information (Detail)                   
104: R87         Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations - 2022   HTML    111K  
                Notes, Bond Hedges and Warrant Transactions -                    
                Additional Information (Detail)                                  
105: R88         Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations - 2025   HTML     55K  
                Notes - Additional Information (Detail)                          
106: R89         Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations -        HTML     55K  
                Credit Agreement - Additional Information (Detail)               
107: R90         Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations -        HTML     65K  
                Secured Revolving Credit Facility - Additional                   
                Information (Detail)                                             
108: R91         Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations - 2.75%  HTML     72K  
                Convertible Senior Notes due in 2018 - Additional                
                Information (Detail)                                             
109: R92         Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations -        HTML     83K  
                1.625% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2019 -                    
                Additional Information (Detail)                                  
110: R93         Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations -        HTML     87K  
                Zero-Coupon Convertible Senior Notes due in 2020 -               
                Additional Information (Detail)                                  
111: R94         Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations -        HTML     54K  
                Related Party Promissory Notes - Additional                      
                Information (Detail)                                             
112: R95         Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations - Solar  HTML     47K  
                Bonds - Additional Information (Detail)                          
113: R96         Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations -        HTML     48K  
                Canada Credit Facility - Additional Information                  
                (Detail)                                                         
114: R97         Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations - Term   HTML     56K  
                Loan - Additional Information (Detail)                           
115: R98         Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations -        HTML     68K  
                MyPower Revolving Credit Facility - Additional                   
                Information (Detail)                                             
116: R99         Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations -        HTML     51K  
                Revolving Aggregation Credit Facility - Additional               
                Information (Detail)                                             
117: R100        Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations - Solar  HTML     66K  
                Renewable Energy Credit Loan Facilities -                        
                Additional Information (Detail)                                  
118: R101        Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations - Cash   HTML     55K  
                Equity Debt - Additional Information (Detail)                    
119: R102        Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations - Solar  HTML    106K  
                Asset-backed Notes - Additional Information                      
                (Detail)                                                         
120: R103        Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations - Solar  HTML     67K  
                Loan-backed Notes - Additional Information                       
                (Detail)                                                         
121: R104        Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations -        HTML     57K  
                Schedule of Interest Expense (Detail)                            
122: R105        Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations -        HTML     50K  
                Pledged Assets - Additional Information (Detail)                 
123: R106        Common Stock - Additional Information (Detail)      HTML    108K  
124: R107        Equity Incentive Plans - Additional Information     HTML    131K  
                (Detail)                                                         
125: R108        Equity Incentive Plans - Summary of Stock Option    HTML    121K  
                and RSU Activity (Detail)                                        
126: R109        Equity Incentive Plans - Schedule of Fair Value of  HTML     66K  
                Stock Option Award and ESPP on Grant Date (Detail)               
127: R110        Equity Incentive Plans - Summary of Stock-Based     HTML     56K  
                Compensation Expense (Detail)                                    
128: R111        Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail)      HTML    107K  
129: R112        Income Taxes - Schedule of Loss Before Provision    HTML     55K  
                for Income Taxes (Detail)                                        
130: R113        Income Taxes - Components of Provision for Income   HTML     67K  
                Taxes (Detail)                                                   
131: R114        Income Taxes - Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets      HTML     93K  
                (Liabilities) (Detail)                                           
132: R115        Income Taxes - Schedule of Reconciliation of Taxes  HTML     78K  
                at Federal Statutory Rate to Provision for Income                
                Taxes (Detail)                                                   
133: R116        Income Taxes - Schedule of Reconciliation of        HTML     49K  
                Statutory Federal Income Taxes to Effective Taxes                
                (Parenthetical) (Detail)                                         
134: R117        Income Taxes - Schedule of Changes to Gross         HTML     58K  
                Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail)                               
135: R118        Commitments and Contingencies - Additional          HTML    106K  
                Information (Detail)                                             
136: R119        Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Future  HTML     91K  
                Minimum Commitments for Leases (Detail)                          
137: R120        VIE Arrangements - Additional Information (Detail)  HTML     48K  
138: R121        VIE Arrangements - Carrying Values of Assets and    HTML    119K  
                Liabilities of Subsidiary in Consolidated Balance                
                Sheets (Detail)                                                  
139: R122        Lease Pass-Through Financing Obligation -           HTML     69K  
                Additional Information (Detail)                                  
140: R123        Lease Pass-Through Financing Obligation - Schedule  HTML     64K  
                of Future Minimum Lease Payments to be Received                  
                for Operating Leases (Detail)                                    
141: R124        Defined Contribution Plan - Additional Information  HTML     49K  
                (Detail)                                                         
142: R125        Related Party Transactions - Summary of Related     HTML     55K  
                Party Transactions (Detail)                                      
143: R126        Related Party Transactions - Additional             HTML     78K  
                Information (Detail)                                             
144: R127        Quarterly Results of Operations - Schedule of       HTML     66K  
                Selected Quarterly Results of Operations (Detail)                
145: R128        Segment Reporting and Information about Geographic  HTML     48K  
                Areas - Additional Information (Detail)                          
146: R129        Segment Reporting and Information about Geographic  HTML     60K  
                Areas - Schedule of Total Revenues and Gross                     
                Margin by Reportable Segment (Detail)                            
147: R130        Segment Reporting and Information about Geographic  HTML     62K  
                Areas - Schedule of Revenues by Geographic Area                  
                (Detail)                                                         
148: R131        Segment Reporting and Information about Geographic  HTML     51K  
                Areas - Schedule of Long-Lived Assets by                         
                Geographic Area (Detail)                                         
149: R132        Subsequent Events - Additional Information          HTML     96K  
                (Detail)                                                         
151: XML         IDEA XML File -- Filing Summary                      XML    295K  
150: EXCEL       IDEA Workbook of Financial Reports                  XLSX    185K  
12: EX-101.INS  XBRL Instance -- tsla-20171231                       XML   6.97M 
14: EX-101.CAL  XBRL Calculations -- tsla-20171231_cal               XML    376K 
15: EX-101.DEF  XBRL Definitions -- tsla-20171231_def                XML   1.63M 
16: EX-101.LAB  XBRL Labels -- tsla-20171231_lab                     XML   2.38M 
17: EX-101.PRE  XBRL Presentations -- tsla-20171231_pre              XML   2.30M 
13: EX-101.SCH  XBRL Schema -- tsla-20171231                         XSD    414K 
152: ZIP         XBRL Zipped Folder -- 0001564590-18-002956-xbrl      Zip    398K  


‘XML’   —   IDEA XML File — Filing Summary


This Document is an IDEA XML File.


                                                                                                                                                                                
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="windows-1252"?>
<FilingSummary>
<Version> 3.8.0.1 </Version>
<ProcessingTime/>
<ReportFormat> html </ReportFormat>
<ContextCount> 601 </ContextCount>
<ElementCount> 649 </ElementCount>
<EntityCount> 1 </EntityCount>
<FootnotesReported> false </FootnotesReported>
<SegmentCount> 172 </SegmentCount>
<ScenarioCount> 0 </ScenarioCount>
<TuplesReported> false </TuplesReported>
<UnitCount> 15 </UnitCount>
<MyReports>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R1.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100000 - Document - Document and Entity Information </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DocumentDocumentAndEntityInformation </Role>
<ShortName> Document and Entity Information </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Cover </MenuCategory>
<Position> 1 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R2.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100010 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheets </Role>
<ShortName> Consolidated Balance Sheets </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Statements </MenuCategory>
<Position> 2 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R3.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100020 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical </Role>
<ShortName> Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Statements </MenuCategory>
<Position> 3 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R4.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100030 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations </Role>
<ShortName> Consolidated Statements of Operations </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Statements </MenuCategory>
<Position> 4 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R5.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100040 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveLoss </Role>
<ShortName> Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Statements </MenuCategory>
<Position> 5 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R6.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100050 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest and Stockholders' Equity </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfRedeemableNoncontrollingInterestAndStockholdersEquity </Role>
<ShortName> Consolidated Statements of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest and Stockholders' Equity </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Statements </MenuCategory>
<Position> 6 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R7.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100060 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest and Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfRedeemableNoncontrollingInterestAndStockholdersEquityParenthetical </Role>
<ShortName> Consolidated Statements of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest and Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Statements </MenuCategory>
<Position> 7 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R8.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100070 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows </Role>
<ShortName> Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Statements </MenuCategory>
<Position> 8 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R9.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100080 - Disclosure - Overview </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOverview </Role>
<ShortName> Overview </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Notes </MenuCategory>
<Position> 9 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R10.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100090 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies </Role>
<ShortName> Summary of Significant Accounting Policies </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Notes </MenuCategory>
<Position> 10 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R11.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100100 - Disclosure - Business Combinations </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessCombinations </Role>
<ShortName> Business Combinations </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Notes </MenuCategory>
<Position> 11 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R12.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100110 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndIntangibleAssets </Role>
<ShortName> Goodwill and Intangible Assets </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Notes </MenuCategory>
<Position> 12 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R13.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100120 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueOfFinancialInstruments </Role>
<ShortName> Fair Value of Financial Instruments </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Notes </MenuCategory>
<Position> 13 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R14.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100130 - Disclosure - Inventory </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInventory </Role>
<ShortName> Inventory </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Notes </MenuCategory>
<Position> 14 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R15.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100140 - Disclosure - Solar Energy Systems, Leased and To Be Leased - Net </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSolarEnergySystemsLeasedAndToBeLeasedNet </Role>
<ShortName> Solar Energy Systems, Leased and To Be Leased - Net </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Notes </MenuCategory>
<Position> 15 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R16.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100150 - Disclosure - Property, Plant, and Equipment </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipment </Role>
<ShortName> Property, Plant, and Equipment </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Notes </MenuCategory>
<Position> 16 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R17.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100160 - Disclosure - Non-cancellable Operating Lease Payments Receivable </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNonCancellableOperatingLeasePaymentsReceivable </Role>
<ShortName> Non-cancellable Operating Lease Payments Receivable </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Notes </MenuCategory>
<Position> 17 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R18.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100170 - Disclosure - Accrued Liabilities and Other </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccruedLiabilitiesAndOther </Role>
<ShortName> Accrued Liabilities and Other </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Notes </MenuCategory>
<Position> 18 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R19.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100180 - Disclosure - Other Long-Term Liabilities </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOtherLongTermLiabilities </Role>
<ShortName> Other Long-Term Liabilities </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Notes </MenuCategory>
<Position> 19 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R20.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100190 - Disclosure - Customer Deposits </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCustomerDeposits </Role>
<ShortName> Customer Deposits </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Notes </MenuCategory>
<Position> 20 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R21.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100200 - Disclosure - Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertibleAndLongTermDebtObligations </Role>
<ShortName> Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Notes </MenuCategory>
<Position> 21 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R22.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100210 - Disclosure - Common Stock </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommonStock </Role>
<ShortName> Common Stock </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Notes </MenuCategory>
<Position> 22 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R23.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100220 - Disclosure - Equity Incentive Plans </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEquityIncentivePlans </Role>
<ShortName> Equity Incentive Plans </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Notes </MenuCategory>
<Position> 23 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R24.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100230 - Disclosure - Income Taxes </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes </Role>
<ShortName> Income Taxes </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Notes </MenuCategory>
<Position> 24 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R25.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100240 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingencies </Role>
<ShortName> Commitments and Contingencies </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Notes </MenuCategory>
<Position> 25 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R26.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100250 - Disclosure - VIE Arrangements </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureVIEArrangements </Role>
<ShortName> VIE Arrangements </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Notes </MenuCategory>
<Position> 26 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R27.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100260 - Disclosure - Lease Pass-Through Financing Obligation </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeasePassThroughFinancingObligation </Role>
<ShortName> Lease Pass-Through Financing Obligation </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Notes </MenuCategory>
<Position> 27 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R28.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100270 - Disclosure - Defined Contribution Plan </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDefinedContributionPlan </Role>
<ShortName> Defined Contribution Plan </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Notes </MenuCategory>
<Position> 28 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R29.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100280 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRelatedPartyTransactions </Role>
<ShortName> Related Party Transactions </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Notes </MenuCategory>
<Position> 29 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R30.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100290 - Disclosure - Quarterly Results of Operations </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureQuarterlyResultsOfOperations </Role>
<ShortName> Quarterly Results of Operations </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Notes </MenuCategory>
<Position> 30 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R31.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100300 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting and Information about Geographic Areas </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentReportingAndInformationAboutGeographicAreas </Role>
<ShortName> Segment Reporting and Information about Geographic Areas </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Notes </MenuCategory>
<Position> 31 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R32.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100310 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSubsequentEvents </Role>
<ShortName> Subsequent Events </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Notes </MenuCategory>
<Position> 32 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R33.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100320 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies </Role>
<ShortName> Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Policies </MenuCategory>
<ParentRole> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies </ParentRole>
<Position> 33 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R34.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100330 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables </Role>
<ShortName> Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Tables </MenuCategory>
<ParentRole> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies </ParentRole>
<Position> 34 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R35.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100340 - Disclosure - Business Combinations (Tables) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessCombinationsTables </Role>
<ShortName> Business Combinations (Tables) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Tables </MenuCategory>
<ParentRole> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessCombinations </ParentRole>
<Position> 35 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R36.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100350 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsTables </Role>
<ShortName> Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Tables </MenuCategory>
<ParentRole> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndIntangibleAssets </ParentRole>
<Position> 36 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R37.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100360 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsTables </Role>
<ShortName> Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Tables </MenuCategory>
<ParentRole> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueOfFinancialInstruments </ParentRole>
<Position> 37 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R38.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100370 - Disclosure - Inventory (Tables) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInventoryTables </Role>
<ShortName> Inventory (Tables) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Tables </MenuCategory>
<ParentRole> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInventory </ParentRole>
<Position> 38 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R39.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100380 - Disclosure - Solar Energy Systems, Leased and To Be Leased - Net (Tables) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSolarEnergySystemsLeasedAndToBeLeasedNetTables </Role>
<ShortName> Solar Energy Systems, Leased and To Be Leased - Net (Tables) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Tables </MenuCategory>
<ParentRole> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSolarEnergySystemsLeasedAndToBeLeasedNet </ParentRole>
<Position> 39 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R40.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100390 - Disclosure - Property, Plant, and Equipment (Tables) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipmentTables </Role>
<ShortName> Property, Plant, and Equipment (Tables) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Tables </MenuCategory>
<ParentRole> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipment </ParentRole>
<Position> 40 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R41.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100400 - Disclosure - Non-cancellable Operating Lease Payments Receivable (Tables) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNonCancellableOperatingLeasePaymentsReceivableTables </Role>
<ShortName> Non-cancellable Operating Lease Payments Receivable (Tables) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Tables </MenuCategory>
<ParentRole> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNonCancellableOperatingLeasePaymentsReceivable </ParentRole>
<Position> 41 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R42.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100410 - Disclosure - Accrued Liabilities and Other (Tables) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccruedLiabilitiesAndOtherTables </Role>
<ShortName> Accrued Liabilities and Other (Tables) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Tables </MenuCategory>
<ParentRole> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccruedLiabilitiesAndOther </ParentRole>
<Position> 42 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R43.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100420 - Disclosure - Other Long-Term Liabilities (Tables) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOtherLongTermLiabilitiesTables </Role>
<ShortName> Other Long-Term Liabilities (Tables) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Tables </MenuCategory>
<ParentRole> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOtherLongTermLiabilities </ParentRole>
<Position> 43 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R44.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100430 - Disclosure - Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations (Tables) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertibleAndLongTermDebtObligationsTables </Role>
<ShortName> Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations (Tables) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Tables </MenuCategory>
<ParentRole> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertibleAndLongTermDebtObligations </ParentRole>
<Position> 44 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R45.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100440 - Disclosure - Equity Incentive Plans (Tables) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEquityIncentivePlansTables </Role>
<ShortName> Equity Incentive Plans (Tables) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Tables </MenuCategory>
<ParentRole> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEquityIncentivePlans </ParentRole>
<Position> 45 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R46.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100450 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Tables) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesTables </Role>
<ShortName> Income Taxes (Tables) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Tables </MenuCategory>
<ParentRole> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes </ParentRole>
<Position> 46 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R47.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100460 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesTables </Role>
<ShortName> Commitments and Contingencies (Tables) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Tables </MenuCategory>
<ParentRole> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingencies </ParentRole>
<Position> 47 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R48.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100470 - Disclosure - VIE Arrangements (Tables) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureVIEArrangementsTables </Role>
<ShortName> VIE Arrangements (Tables) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Tables </MenuCategory>
<ParentRole> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureVIEArrangements </ParentRole>
<Position> 48 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R49.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100480 - Disclosure - Lease Pass-Through Financing Obligation (Tables) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeasePassThroughFinancingObligationTables </Role>
<ShortName> Lease Pass-Through Financing Obligation (Tables) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Tables </MenuCategory>
<ParentRole> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeasePassThroughFinancingObligation </ParentRole>
<Position> 49 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R50.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100490 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions (Tables) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRelatedPartyTransactionsTables </Role>
<ShortName> Related Party Transactions (Tables) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Tables </MenuCategory>
<ParentRole> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRelatedPartyTransactions </ParentRole>
<Position> 50 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R51.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100500 - Disclosure - Quarterly Results of Operations (Tables) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureQuarterlyResultsOfOperationsTables </Role>
<ShortName> Quarterly Results of Operations (Tables) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Tables </MenuCategory>
<ParentRole> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureQuarterlyResultsOfOperations </ParentRole>
<Position> 51 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R52.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100510 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting and Information about Geographic Areas (Tables) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentReportingAndInformationAboutGeographicAreasTables </Role>
<ShortName> Segment Reporting and Information about Geographic Areas (Tables) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Tables </MenuCategory>
<ParentRole> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentReportingAndInformationAboutGeographicAreas </ParentRole>
<Position> 52 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R53.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100520 - Disclosure - Overview - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOverviewAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Overview - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 53 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R54.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100530 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 54 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R55.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100540 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Schedule of Account Activity Related to Resale Value Guarantee Program (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesScheduleOfAccountActivityRelatedToResaleValueGuaranteeProgramDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Schedule of Account Activity Related to Resale Value Guarantee Program (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 55 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R56.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100550 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Schedule of Potentially Dilutive Shares that were Excluded from Computation of Diluted Net Income (Loss) per Share of Common Stock (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesScheduleOfPotentiallyDilutiveSharesThatWereExcludedFromComputationOfDilutedNetIncomeLossPerShareOfCommonStockDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Schedule of Potentially Dilutive Shares that were Excluded from Computation of Diluted Net Income (Loss) per Share of Common Stock (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 56 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R57.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100560 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Estimated Useful Lives of Respective Assets (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesEstimatedUsefulLivesOfRespectiveAssetsDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Estimated Useful Lives of Respective Assets (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 57 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R58.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100570 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Schedule of Estimated Useful Lives of Related Assets (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesScheduleOfEstimatedUsefulLivesOfRelatedAssetsDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Schedule of Estimated Useful Lives of Related Assets (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 58 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R59.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100580 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Schedule of Accrued Warranty Activity (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesScheduleOfAccruedWarrantyActivityDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Schedule of Accrued Warranty Activity (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 59 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R60.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100590 - Disclosure - Business Combinations - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessCombinationsAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Business Combinations - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 60 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R61.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100600 - Disclosure - Business Combinations - Schedule of Fair Values of the Assets Acquired and the Liabilities Assumed (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessCombinationsScheduleOfFairValuesOfAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Business Combinations - Schedule of Fair Values of the Assets Acquired and the Liabilities Assumed (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 61 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R62.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100610 - Disclosure - Business Combinations - Schedule of Fair Values of the Identified Intangible Assets and their Useful Lives (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessCombinationsScheduleOfFairValuesOfIdentifiedIntangibleAssetsAndTheirUsefulLivesDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Business Combinations - Schedule of Fair Values of the Identified Intangible Assets and their Useful Lives (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 62 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R63.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100620 - Disclosure - Business Combinations - Schedule of Fair Value of the Consideration Transferred as of Acquisition Date (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessCombinationsScheduleOfFairValueOfConsiderationTransferredAsOfAcquisitionDateDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Business Combinations - Schedule of Fair Value of the Consideration Transferred as of Acquisition Date (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 63 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R64.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100630 - Disclosure - Business Combinations - Schedule of the Fair Value of Consideration Transferred as of Acquisition Date (Parenthetical) (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessCombinationsScheduleOfFairValueOfConsiderationTransferredAsOfAcquisitionDateParentheticalDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Business Combinations - Schedule of the Fair Value of Consideration Transferred as of Acquisition Date (Parenthetical) (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 64 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R65.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100640 - Disclosure - Business Combinations - Schedule of Unaudited Pro Forma Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessCombinationsScheduleOfUnauditedProFormaInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Business Combinations - Schedule of Unaudited Pro Forma Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 65 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R66.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100650 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 66 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R67.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100660 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Summary of Acquired Intangible Assets (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsSummaryOfAcquiredIntangibleAssetsDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Summary of Acquired Intangible Assets (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 67 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R68.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100680 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Total Future Amortization Expense for Intangible Assets (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsTotalFutureAmortizationExpenseForIntangibleAssetsDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Total Future Amortization Expense for Intangible Assets (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 68 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R69.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100690 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Schedule of Fair Value Hierarchy of Financial Assets Carried at Fair Value (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsScheduleOfFairValueHierarchyOfFinancialAssetsCarriedAtFairValueDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Schedule of Fair Value Hierarchy of Financial Assets Carried at Fair Value (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 69 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R70.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100700 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 70 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R71.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100710 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Schedule of Interest Rate Swaps Outstanding (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsScheduleOfInterestRateSwapsOutstandingDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Schedule of Interest Rate Swaps Outstanding (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 71 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R72.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100720 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Schedule of Estimated Fair Values and Carrying Values (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsScheduleOfEstimatedFairValuesAndCarryingValuesDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Schedule of Estimated Fair Values and Carrying Values (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 72 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R73.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100730 - Disclosure - Inventory - Schedule of Inventory (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInventoryScheduleOfInventoryDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Inventory - Schedule of Inventory (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 73 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R74.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100740 - Disclosure - Inventory - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInventoryAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Inventory - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 74 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R75.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100750 - Disclosure - Solar Energy Systems, Leased and To Be Leased - Net - Components of Solar Energy Systems, Leased and to Be Leased (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSolarEnergySystemsLeasedAndToBeLeasedNetComponentsOfSolarEnergySystemsLeasedAndToBeLeasedDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Solar Energy Systems, Leased and To Be Leased - Net - Components of Solar Energy Systems, Leased and to Be Leased (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 75 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R76.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100760 - Disclosure - Solar Energy Systems, Leased and To Be Leased - Net - Components of Solar Energy Systems, Leased and to Be Leased (Parenthetical) (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSolarEnergySystemsLeasedAndToBeLeasedNetComponentsOfSolarEnergySystemsLeasedAndToBeLeasedParentheticalDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Solar Energy Systems, Leased and To Be Leased - Net - Components of Solar Energy Systems, Leased and to Be Leased (Parenthetical) (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 76 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R77.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100770 - Disclosure - Property Plant and Equipment - Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment, Net (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipmentScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Property Plant and Equipment - Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment, Net (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 77 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R78.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100780 - Disclosure - Property Plant and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Property Plant and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 78 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R79.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100790 - Disclosure - Non-cancellable Operating Lease Payments Receivable - Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments Non-cancellable Operating Leases (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNonCancellableOperatingLeasePaymentsReceivableScheduleOfFutureMinimumLeasePaymentsNonCancellableOperatingLeasesDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Non-cancellable Operating Lease Payments Receivable - Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments Non-cancellable Operating Leases (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 79 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R80.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100800 - Disclosure - Accrued Liabilities and Other - Schedule of Accrued Liabilities and Other Current Liabilities (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccruedLiabilitiesAndOtherScheduleOfAccruedLiabilitiesAndOtherCurrentLiabilitiesDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Accrued Liabilities and Other - Schedule of Accrued Liabilities and Other Current Liabilities (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 80 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R81.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100810 - Disclosure - Other Long-term Liabilities - Schedule of Other Long-term Liabilities (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOtherLongTermLiabilitiesScheduleOfOtherLongTermLiabilitiesDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Other Long-term Liabilities - Schedule of Other Long-term Liabilities (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 81 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R82.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100820 - Disclosure - Customer Deposits - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCustomerDepositsAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Customer Deposits - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 82 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R83.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100830 - Disclosure - Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations - Summary of Debt (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertibleAndLongTermDebtObligationsSummaryOfDebtDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations - Summary of Debt (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 83 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R84.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100840 - Disclosure - Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations - Summary of Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertibleAndLongTermDebtObligationsSummaryOfDebtParentheticalDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations - Summary of Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 84 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R85.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100850 - Disclosure - Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations - 2018 Notes, Bond Hedges and Warrant Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Notes </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertibleAndLongTermDebtObligations2018NotesBondHedgesAndWarrantTransactionsAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations - 2018 Notes, Bond Hedges and Warrant Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 85 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R86.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100860 - Disclosure - Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations - 2019 Notes, 2021 Notes, Bond Hedges and Warrant Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Notes </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertibleAndLongTermDebtObligations2019Notes2021NotesBondHedgesAndWarrantTransactionsAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations - 2019 Notes, 2021 Notes, Bond Hedges and Warrant Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 86 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R87.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100870 - Disclosure - Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations - 2022 Notes, Bond Hedges and Warrant Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Notes </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertibleAndLongTermDebtObligations2022NotesBondHedgesAndWarrantTransactionsAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations - 2022 Notes, Bond Hedges and Warrant Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 87 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R88.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100880 - Disclosure - Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations - 2025 Notes - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Notes </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertibleAndLongTermDebtObligations2025NotesAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations - 2025 Notes - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 88 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R89.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100890 - Disclosure - Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations - Credit Agreement - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertibleAndLongTermDebtObligationsCreditAgreementAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations - Credit Agreement - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 89 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R90.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100900 - Disclosure - Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations - Secured Revolving Credit Facility - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertibleAndLongTermDebtObligationsSecuredRevolvingCreditFacilityAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations - Secured Revolving Credit Facility - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 90 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R91.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100910 - Disclosure - Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations - 2.75% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2018 - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Notes </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertibleAndLongTermDebtObligations275ConvertibleSeniorNotesDueIn2018AdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations - 2.75% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2018 - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 91 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R92.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100920 - Disclosure - Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations - 1.625% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2019 - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Notes </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertibleAndLongTermDebtObligations1625ConvertibleSeniorNotesDueIn2019AdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations - 1.625% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2019 - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 92 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R93.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100930 - Disclosure - Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations - Zero-Coupon Convertible Senior Notes due in 2020 - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Notes </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertibleAndLongTermDebtObligationsZeroCouponConvertibleSeniorNotesDueIn2020AdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations - Zero-Coupon Convertible Senior Notes due in 2020 - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 93 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R94.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100940 - Disclosure - Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations - Related Party Promissory Notes - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Notes </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertibleAndLongTermDebtObligationsRelatedPartyPromissoryNotesAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations - Related Party Promissory Notes - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 94 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R95.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100950 - Disclosure - Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations - Solar Bonds - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertibleAndLongTermDebtObligationsSolarBondsAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations - Solar Bonds - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 95 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R96.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100960 - Disclosure - Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations - Canada Credit Facility - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertibleAndLongTermDebtObligationsCanadaCreditFacilityAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations - Canada Credit Facility - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 96 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R97.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100970 - Disclosure - Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations - Term Loan - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertibleAndLongTermDebtObligationsTermLoanAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations - Term Loan - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 97 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R98.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100980 - Disclosure - Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations - MyPower Revolving Credit Facility - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertibleAndLongTermDebtObligationsMypowerRevolvingCreditFacilityAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations - MyPower Revolving Credit Facility - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 98 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R99.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 100990 - Disclosure - Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations - Revolving Aggregation Credit Facility - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertibleAndLongTermDebtObligationsRevolvingAggregationCreditFacilityAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations - Revolving Aggregation Credit Facility - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 99 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R100.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 101000 - Disclosure - Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations - Solar Renewable Energy Credit Loan Facilities - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertibleAndLongTermDebtObligationsSolarRenewableEnergyCreditLoanFacilitiesAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations - Solar Renewable Energy Credit Loan Facilities - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 100 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R101.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 101010 - Disclosure - Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations - Cash Equity Debt - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertibleAndLongTermDebtObligationsCashEquityDebtAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations - Cash Equity Debt - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 101 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R102.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 101020 - Disclosure - Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations - Solar Asset-backed Notes - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Notes </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertibleAndLongTermDebtObligationsSolarAssetBackedNotesAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations - Solar Asset-backed Notes - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 102 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R103.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 101030 - Disclosure - Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations - Solar Loan-backed Notes - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Notes </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertibleAndLongTermDebtObligationsSolarLoanBackedNotesAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations - Solar Loan-backed Notes - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 103 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R104.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 101040 - Disclosure - Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations - Schedule of Interest Expense (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertibleAndLongTermDebtObligationsScheduleOfInterestExpenseDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations - Schedule of Interest Expense (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 104 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R105.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 101050 - Disclosure - Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations - Pledged Assets - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertibleAndLongTermDebtObligationsPledgedAssetsAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Convertible and Long-term Debt Obligations - Pledged Assets - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 105 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R106.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 101060 - Disclosure - Common Stock - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommonStockAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Common Stock - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 106 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R107.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 101070 - Disclosure - Equity Incentive Plans - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEquityIncentivePlansAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Equity Incentive Plans - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 107 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R108.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 101080 - Disclosure - Equity Incentive Plans - Summary of Stock Option and RSU Activity (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEquityIncentivePlansSummaryOfStockOptionAndRSUActivityDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Equity Incentive Plans - Summary of Stock Option and RSU Activity (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 108 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R109.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 101090 - Disclosure - Equity Incentive Plans - Schedule of Fair Value of Stock Option Award and ESPP on Grant Date (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEquityIncentivePlansScheduleOfFairValueOfStockOptionAwardAndESPPOnGrantDateDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Equity Incentive Plans - Schedule of Fair Value of Stock Option Award and ESPP on Grant Date (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 109 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R110.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 101100 - Disclosure - Equity Incentive Plans - Summary of Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEquityIncentivePlansSummaryOfStockBasedCompensationExpenseDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Equity Incentive Plans - Summary of Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 110 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R111.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 101110 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 111 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R112.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 101120 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Schedule of Loss Before Provision for Income Taxes (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesScheduleOfLossBeforeProvisionForIncomeTaxesDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Income Taxes - Schedule of Loss Before Provision for Income Taxes (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 112 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R113.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 101130 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Components of Provision for Income Taxes (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesComponentsOfProvisionForIncomeTaxesDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Income Taxes - Components of Provision for Income Taxes (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 113 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R114.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 101140 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities) (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesScheduleOfDeferredTaxAssetsLiabilitiesDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Income Taxes - Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities) (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 114 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R115.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 101150 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Schedule of Reconciliation of Taxes at Federal Statutory Rate to Provision for Income Taxes (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesScheduleOfReconciliationOfTaxesAtFederalStatutoryRateToProvisionForIncomeTaxesDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Income Taxes - Schedule of Reconciliation of Taxes at Federal Statutory Rate to Provision for Income Taxes (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 115 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R116.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 101160 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Schedule of Reconciliation of Statutory Federal Income Taxes to Effective Taxes (Parenthetical) (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesScheduleOfReconciliationOfStatutoryFederalIncomeTaxesToEffectiveTaxesParentheticalDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Income Taxes - Schedule of Reconciliation of Statutory Federal Income Taxes to Effective Taxes (Parenthetical) (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 116 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R117.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 101170 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Schedule of Changes to Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesScheduleOfChangesToGrossUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Income Taxes - Schedule of Changes to Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 117 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R118.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 101180 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 118 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R119.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 101190 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Future Minimum Commitments for Leases (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesScheduleOfFutureMinimumCommitmentsForLeasesDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Future Minimum Commitments for Leases (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 119 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R120.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 101210 - Disclosure - VIE Arrangements - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureVIEArrangementsAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> VIE Arrangements - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 120 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R121.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 101220 - Disclosure - VIE Arrangements - Carrying Values of Assets and Liabilities of Subsidiary in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureVIEArrangementsCarryingValuesOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesOfSubsidiaryInConsolidatedBalanceSheetsDetail </Role>
<ShortName> VIE Arrangements - Carrying Values of Assets and Liabilities of Subsidiary in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 121 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R122.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 101230 - Disclosure - Lease Pass-Through Financing Obligation - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeasePassThroughFinancingObligationAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Lease Pass-Through Financing Obligation - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 122 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R123.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 101240 - Disclosure - Lease Pass-Through Financing Obligation - Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments to be Received for Operating Leases (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeasePassThroughFinancingObligationScheduleOfFutureMinimumLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedForOperatingLeasesDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Lease Pass-Through Financing Obligation - Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments to be Received for Operating Leases (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 123 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R124.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 101250 - Disclosure - Defined Contribution Plan - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDefinedContributionPlanAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Defined Contribution Plan - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 124 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R125.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 101260 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions - Summary of Related Party Transactions (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRelatedPartyTransactionsSummaryOfRelatedPartyTransactionsDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Related Party Transactions - Summary of Related Party Transactions (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 125 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R126.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 101270 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRelatedPartyTransactionsAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 126 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R127.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 101280 - Disclosure - Quarterly Results of Operations - Schedule of Selected Quarterly Results of Operations (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureQuarterlyResultsOfOperationsScheduleOfSelectedQuarterlyResultsOfOperationsDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Quarterly Results of Operations - Schedule of Selected Quarterly Results of Operations (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 127 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R128.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 101290 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting and Information about Geographic Areas - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentReportingAndInformationAboutGeographicAreasAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Segment Reporting and Information about Geographic Areas - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 128 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R129.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 101300 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting and Information about Geographic Areas - Schedule of Total Revenues and Gross Margin by Reportable Segment (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentReportingAndInformationAboutGeographicAreasScheduleOfTotalRevenuesAndGrossMarginByReportableSegmentDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Segment Reporting and Information about Geographic Areas - Schedule of Total Revenues and Gross Margin by Reportable Segment (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 129 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R130.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 101310 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting and Information about Geographic Areas - Schedule of Revenues by Geographic Area (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentReportingAndInformationAboutGeographicAreasScheduleOfRevenuesByGeographicAreaDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Segment Reporting and Information about Geographic Areas - Schedule of Revenues by Geographic Area (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 130 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R131.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 101320 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting and Information about Geographic Areas - Schedule of Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Area (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentReportingAndInformationAboutGeographicAreasScheduleOfLongLivedAssetsByGeographicAreaDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Segment Reporting and Information about Geographic Areas - Schedule of Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Area (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 131 </Position>
</Report>
<Report instance="tsla-20171231.xml">
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R132.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 101330 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.teslamotors.com/20171231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSubsequentEventsAdditionalInformationDetail </Role>
<ShortName> Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) </ShortName>
<MenuCategory> Details </MenuCategory>
<Position> 132 </Position>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<LongName> All Reports </LongName>
<ReportType> Book </ReportType>
<ShortName> All Reports </ShortName>
</Report>
</MyReports>
<InputFiles>
<File> tsla-20171231.xml </File>
<File> tsla-20171231.xsd </File>
<File> tsla-20171231_cal.xml </File>
<File> tsla-20171231_def.xml </File>
<File> tsla-20171231_lab.xml </File>
<File> tsla-20171231_pre.xml </File>
</InputFiles>
<SupplementalFiles/>
<BaseTaxonomies>
<BaseTaxonomy> http://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2011-01-31 </BaseTaxonomy>
<BaseTaxonomy> http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014-01-31 </BaseTaxonomy>
<BaseTaxonomy> http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2017-01-31 </BaseTaxonomy>
<BaseTaxonomy> http://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2017-01-31 </BaseTaxonomy>
<BaseTaxonomy> http://xbrl.sec.gov/invest/2013-01-31 </BaseTaxonomy>
</BaseTaxonomies>
<HasPresentationLinkbase> true </HasPresentationLinkbase>
<HasCalculationLinkbase> true </HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>


9 Subsequent Filings that Reference this Filing

  As Of               Filer                 Filing    For·On·As Docs:Size             Issuer                      Filing Agent

 1/29/24  Tesla, Inc.                       10-K       12/31/23  116:14M                                    Workiva Inc Wde… FA01/FA
 1/31/23  Tesla, Inc.                       10-K       12/31/22  125:30M                                    Donnelley … Solutions/FA
 5/02/22  Tesla, Inc.                       10-K/A     12/31/21   12:2.6M                                   ActiveDisclosure/FA
 2/07/22  Tesla, Inc.                       10-K       12/31/21  131:28M                                    Donnelley … Solutions/FA
 4/30/21  Tesla, Inc.                       10-K/A     12/31/20   12:2.3M                                   ActiveDisclosure/FA
 2/08/21  Tesla, Inc.                       10-K       12/31/20  149:31M                                    ActiveDisclosure/FA
 2/25/19  SEC                               UPLOAD5/08/19    2:39K  Tesla, Inc.
10/17/18  SEC                               UPLOAD5/08/19    2:55K  Tesla, Inc.
 7/19/18  SEC                               UPLOAD5/08/19    2:55K  Tesla, Inc.
Top
Filing Submission 0001564590-18-002956   –   Alternative Formats (Word / Rich Text, HTML, Plain Text, et al.)

Copyright © 2024 Fran Finnegan & Company LLC – All Rights Reserved.
AboutPrivacyRedactionsHelp — Fri., Apr. 26, 1:55:11.2am ET