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Equity Incentive Plans - Schedule of Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable (Detail) (USD $)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]    
Options Outstanding, Number 21,372,960us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions 22,640,942us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 35.93us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1 $ 26.70us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years) 5 years 5 months 23 days 6 years 4 months 13 days
Options Exercisable, Number 11,957,510us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions 10,714,106us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 12.37us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1 $ 12.37us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years) 3 years 7 months 17 days 4 years 4 days
$2.70 - $6.15 [Member]    
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]    
Range of Exercise Price, Lower limit $ 2.70us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_TwoPointSevenZeroToSixPointOneFiveMember
 
Range of Exercise Price, Upper limit $ 6.15us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_TwoPointSevenZeroToSixPointOneFiveMember
 
Options Outstanding, Number 329,072us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_TwoPointSevenZeroToSixPointOneFiveMember
 
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 3.13us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_TwoPointSevenZeroToSixPointOneFiveMember
 
Options Exercisable, Number 327,696us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_TwoPointSevenZeroToSixPointOneFiveMember
 
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 3.13us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_TwoPointSevenZeroToSixPointOneFiveMember
 
$6.63 - $6.63 [Member]    
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]    
Range of Exercise Price, Lower limit $ 6.63us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_SixPointSixThreeToSixPointSixThreeMember
$ 6.63us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_SixPointSixThreeToSixPointSixThreeMember
Range of Exercise Price, Upper limit $ 6.63us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_SixPointSixThreeToSixPointSixThreeMember
$ 6.63us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_SixPointSixThreeToSixPointSixThreeMember
Options Outstanding, Number 7,030,489us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_SixPointSixThreeToSixPointSixThreeMember
7,096,725us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_SixPointSixThreeToSixPointSixThreeMember
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 6.63us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_SixPointSixThreeToSixPointSixThreeMember
$ 6.63us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_SixPointSixThreeToSixPointSixThreeMember
Options Exercisable, Number 7,029,293us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_SixPointSixThreeToSixPointSixThreeMember
7,093,020us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_SixPointSixThreeToSixPointSixThreeMember
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 6.63us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_SixPointSixThreeToSixPointSixThreeMember
$ 6.63us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_SixPointSixThreeToSixPointSixThreeMember
$9.96 - $28.45 [Member]    
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]    
Range of Exercise Price, Lower limit $ 9.96us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_NinePointNineSixToTwentyEightPointFourFiveMember
 
Range of Exercise Price, Upper limit $ 28.45us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_NinePointNineSixToTwentyEightPointFourFiveMember
 
Options Outstanding, Number 2,183,386us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_NinePointNineSixToTwentyEightPointFourFiveMember
 
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 23.87us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_NinePointNineSixToTwentyEightPointFourFiveMember
 
Options Exercisable, Number 1,779,133us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_NinePointNineSixToTwentyEightPointFourFiveMember
 
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 23.19us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_NinePointNineSixToTwentyEightPointFourFiveMember
 
$29.12 - $31.07 [Member]    
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]    
Range of Exercise Price, Lower limit $ 29.12us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_TwentyNinePointOneTwoToThirtyOnePointZeroSevenMember
 
Range of Exercise Price, Upper limit $ 31.07us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_TwentyNinePointOneTwoToThirtyOnePointZeroSevenMember
 
Options Outstanding, Number 1,105,021us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_TwentyNinePointOneTwoToThirtyOnePointZeroSevenMember
 
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 30.00us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_TwentyNinePointOneTwoToThirtyOnePointZeroSevenMember
 
Options Exercisable, Number 606,484us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_TwentyNinePointOneTwoToThirtyOnePointZeroSevenMember
 
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 30.00us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_TwentyNinePointOneTwoToThirtyOnePointZeroSevenMember
 
$31.17 - $31.17 [Member]    
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]    
Range of Exercise Price, Lower limit $ 31.17us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyOnePointOneSevenToThirtyOnePointOneSevenMember
 
Range of Exercise Price, Upper limit $ 31.17us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyOnePointOneSevenToThirtyOnePointOneSevenMember
 
Options Outstanding, Number 5,611,130us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyOnePointOneSevenToThirtyOnePointOneSevenMember
 
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 31.17us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyOnePointOneSevenToThirtyOnePointOneSevenMember
 
Options Exercisable, Number 663,860us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyOnePointOneSevenToThirtyOnePointOneSevenMember
 
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 31.17us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyOnePointOneSevenToThirtyOnePointOneSevenMember
 
$31.49 - $38.42 [Member]    
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]    
Range of Exercise Price, Lower limit $ 31.49us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyOnePointFourNineToThirtyEightPointFourTwoMember
 
Range of Exercise Price, Upper limit $ 38.42us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyOnePointFourNineToThirtyEightPointFourTwoMember
 
Options Outstanding, Number 2,376,417us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyOnePointFourNineToThirtyEightPointFourTwoMember
 
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 33.25us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyOnePointFourNineToThirtyEightPointFourTwoMember
 
Options Exercisable, Number 1,167,109us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyOnePointFourNineToThirtyEightPointFourTwoMember
 
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 32.82us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyOnePointFourNineToThirtyEightPointFourTwoMember
 
$39.10 - $179.72 [Member]    
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]    
Range of Exercise Price, Lower limit $ 39.10us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyNinePointOneZeroToOneHundredSeventyNinePointSevenTwoMember
 
Range of Exercise Price, Upper limit $ 179.72us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyNinePointOneZeroToOneHundredSeventyNinePointSevenTwoMember
 
Options Outstanding, Number 2,140,496us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyNinePointOneZeroToOneHundredSeventyNinePointSevenTwoMember
 
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 111.51us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyNinePointOneZeroToOneHundredSeventyNinePointSevenTwoMember
 
Options Exercisable, Number 379,519us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyNinePointOneZeroToOneHundredSeventyNinePointSevenTwoMember
 
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 94.50us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyNinePointOneZeroToOneHundredSeventyNinePointSevenTwoMember
 
$184.67 - $259.32 [Member]    
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]    
Range of Exercise Price, Lower limit $ 184.67us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_OneHundredEightyFourPointSixSevenToTwoHundredFiftyNinePointThreeTwoMember
 
Range of Exercise Price, Upper limit $ 259.32us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_OneHundredEightyFourPointSixSevenToTwoHundredFiftyNinePointThreeTwoMember
 
Options Outstanding, Number 498,658us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_OneHundredEightyFourPointSixSevenToTwoHundredFiftyNinePointThreeTwoMember
 
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 233.06us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_OneHundredEightyFourPointSixSevenToTwoHundredFiftyNinePointThreeTwoMember
 
Options Exercisable, Number 84us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_OneHundredEightyFourPointSixSevenToTwoHundredFiftyNinePointThreeTwoMember
 
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 198.09us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_OneHundredEightyFourPointSixSevenToTwoHundredFiftyNinePointThreeTwoMember
 
$259.94 - $259.94 [Member]    
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]    
Range of Exercise Price, Lower limit $ 259.94us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_TwoHundredFiftyNinePointNineFourToTwoHundredFiftyNinePointNineFourMember
 
Range of Exercise Price, Upper limit $ 259.94us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_TwoHundredFiftyNinePointNineFourToTwoHundredFiftyNinePointNineFourMember
 
Options Outstanding, Number 72,333us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_TwoHundredFiftyNinePointNineFourToTwoHundredFiftyNinePointNineFourMember
 
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 259.94us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_TwoHundredFiftyNinePointNineFourToTwoHundredFiftyNinePointNineFourMember
 
Options Exercisable, Number 4,332us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_TwoHundredFiftyNinePointNineFourToTwoHundredFiftyNinePointNineFourMember
 
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 259.94us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_TwoHundredFiftyNinePointNineFourToTwoHundredFiftyNinePointNineFourMember
 
$282.11 - $282.11 [Member]    
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]    
Range of Exercise Price, Lower limit $ 282.11us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_TwoHundredEightyTwoPointOneOneToTwoHundredEightyTwoPointOneOneMember
 
Range of Exercise Price, Upper limit $ 282.11us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_TwoHundredEightyTwoPointOneOneToTwoHundredEightyTwoPointOneOneMember
 
Options Outstanding, Number 25,958us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_TwoHundredEightyTwoPointOneOneToTwoHundredEightyTwoPointOneOneMember
 
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 282.11us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_TwoHundredEightyTwoPointOneOneToTwoHundredEightyTwoPointOneOneMember
 
$0.15 - $6.15 [Member]    
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]    
Range of Exercise Price, Lower limit   $ 0.15us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ZeroPointOneFiveToSixPointOneFiveMember
Range of Exercise Price, Upper limit   $ 6.15us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ZeroPointOneFiveToSixPointOneFiveMember
Options Outstanding, Number   523,182us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ZeroPointOneFiveToSixPointOneFiveMember
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price   $ 3.16us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ZeroPointOneFiveToSixPointOneFiveMember
Options Exercisable, Number   516,728us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ZeroPointOneFiveToSixPointOneFiveMember
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price   $ 3.16us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ZeroPointOneFiveToSixPointOneFiveMember
$9.96 - $28.35 [Member]    
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]    
Range of Exercise Price, Lower limit   $ 9.96us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_NinePointNineSixToTwentyEightPointThreeFiveMember
Range of Exercise Price, Upper limit   $ 28.35us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_NinePointNineSixToTwentyEightPointThreeFiveMember
Options Outstanding, Number   2,266,058us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_NinePointNineSixToTwentyEightPointThreeFiveMember
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price   $ 22.08us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_NinePointNineSixToTwentyEightPointThreeFiveMember
Options Exercisable, Number   1,302,499us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_NinePointNineSixToTwentyEightPointThreeFiveMember
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price   $ 19.70us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_NinePointNineSixToTwentyEightPointThreeFiveMember
$28.43 - $31.07 [Member]    
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]    
Range of Exercise Price, Lower limit   $ 28.43us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_TwentyEightPointFourThreeToThirtyOnePointZeroSevenMember
Range of Exercise Price, Upper limit   $ 31.07us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_TwentyEightPointFourThreeToThirtyOnePointZeroSevenMember
Options Outstanding, Number   2,136,721us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_TwentyEightPointFourThreeToThirtyOnePointZeroSevenMember
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price   $ 29.48us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_TwentyEightPointFourThreeToThirtyOnePointZeroSevenMember
Options Exercisable, Number   864,050us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_TwentyEightPointFourThreeToThirtyOnePointZeroSevenMember
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price   $ 29.24us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_TwentyEightPointFourThreeToThirtyOnePointZeroSevenMember
$31.07 - $31.07 [Member]    
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]    
Range of Exercise Price, Lower limit   $ 31.07us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyOnePointZeroSevenToThirtyOnePointZeroSevenMember
Range of Exercise Price, Upper limit   $ 31.07us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyOnePointZeroSevenToThirtyOnePointZeroSevenMember
Options Outstanding, Number   5,715,734us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyOnePointZeroSevenToThirtyOnePointZeroSevenMember
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price   $ 31.17us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyOnePointZeroSevenToThirtyOnePointZeroSevenMember
Options Exercisable, Number   91,541us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyOnePointZeroSevenToThirtyOnePointZeroSevenMember
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price   $ 31.17us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyOnePointZeroSevenToThirtyOnePointZeroSevenMember
$31.49 - $34.00 [Member]    
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]    
Range of Exercise Price, Lower limit   $ 31.49us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyOnePointFourNineToThirtyFourPointZeroZeroMember
Range of Exercise Price, Upper limit   $ 34.00us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyOnePointFourNineToThirtyFourPointZeroZeroMember
Options Outstanding, Number   2,288,998us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyOnePointFourNineToThirtyFourPointZeroZeroMember
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price   $ 32.07us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyOnePointFourNineToThirtyFourPointZeroZeroMember
Options Exercisable, Number   707,052us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyOnePointFourNineToThirtyFourPointZeroZeroMember
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price   $ 31.98us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyOnePointFourNineToThirtyFourPointZeroZeroMember
$34.57 - $141.60 [Member]    
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]    
Range of Exercise Price, Lower limit   $ 34.57us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyFourPointFiveSevenToOneFortyOnePointSixZeroMember
Range of Exercise Price, Upper limit   $ 141.60us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyFourPointFiveSevenToOneFortyOnePointSixZeroMember
Options Outstanding, Number   2,266,350us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyFourPointFiveSevenToOneFortyOnePointSixZeroMember
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price   $ 60.57us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyFourPointFiveSevenToOneFortyOnePointSixZeroMember
Options Exercisable, Number   127,674us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyFourPointFiveSevenToOneFortyOnePointSixZeroMember
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price   $ 45.62us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_ThirtyFourPointFiveSevenToOneFortyOnePointSixZeroMember
$144.70 - $147.38 [Member]    
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]    
Range of Exercise Price, Lower limit   $ 144.70us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_OneFortyFourPointSevenZeroToOneFortySevenPointThreeEightMember
Range of Exercise Price, Upper limit   $ 147.38us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_OneFortyFourPointSevenZeroToOneFortySevenPointThreeEightMember
Options Outstanding, Number   252,945us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_OneFortyFourPointSevenZeroToOneFortySevenPointThreeEightMember
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price   $ 147.31us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_OneFortyFourPointSevenZeroToOneFortySevenPointThreeEightMember
Options Exercisable, Number   11,542us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_OneFortyFourPointSevenZeroToOneFortySevenPointThreeEightMember
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price   $ 147.38us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_OneFortyFourPointSevenZeroToOneFortySevenPointThreeEightMember
$160.70 - $160.70 [Member]    
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]    
Range of Exercise Price, Lower limit   $ 166.70us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_OneSixtyPointSevenZeroToOneSixtyPointSevenZeroMember
Range of Exercise Price, Upper limit   $ 160.70us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_OneSixtyPointSevenZeroToOneSixtyPointSevenZeroMember
Options Outstanding, Number   18,975us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_OneSixtyPointSevenZeroToOneSixtyPointSevenZeroMember
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price   $ 160.70us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_OneSixtyPointSevenZeroToOneSixtyPointSevenZeroMember
$179.72 - $179.72 [Member]    
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]    
Range of Exercise Price, Lower limit   $ 179.72us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_OneSeventyNinePointSevenTwoToOneSeventyNinePointSevenTwoMember
Range of Exercise Price, Upper limit   $ 179.72us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_OneSeventyNinePointSevenTwoToOneSeventyNinePointSevenTwoMember
Options Outstanding, Number   75,254us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_OneSeventyNinePointSevenTwoToOneSeventyNinePointSevenTwoMember
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price   $ 179.72us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= tsla_OneSeventyNinePointSevenTwoToOneSeventyNinePointSevenTwoMember