Equity Incentive Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 Y	Sep. 30, 2012 Tranches	Sep. 30, 2011
Schedule Of Stock Options [Line Items]
Board of Directors granted stock options to Elon Musk		5,274,901
CEO Grant consists of number of vesting tranches		10
Market capitalization	$ 4,000,000,000	$ 4,000,000,000
Initial market capitalization	3,200,000,000	3,200,000,000
Gross margin		30.00%
Risk-free interest rate	1.65%
Expected term, in years	10
Expected volatility	55.00%
Dividend yield	0.00%
Stock-based compensation expense		35,729,000	20,737,000
CEO Grant [Member]
Schedule Of Stock Options [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 400,000
Eighth Tranche [Member]
Schedule Of Stock Options [Line Items]
Aggregate number of vehicle production		100,000
Ninth Tranche [Member]
Schedule Of Stock Options [Line Items]
Aggregate number of vehicle production		200,000
Tenth Tranche [Member]
Schedule Of Stock Options [Line Items]
Aggregate number of vehicle production		300,000