Property Plant and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Interest expense capitalized	$ 12,000	$ 37,300	$ 46,500	$ 96,000
Property, plant and equipment, net	11,246,295		11,246,295		$ 10,027,522
Other long-term liabilities	2,555,319		2,555,319		2,442,970
Depreciation and amortization expense	300,000	$ 197,500	797,000	$ 534,200
Capital leased assets	1,400,000		1,400,000		688,300
Accumulated depreciation on property and equipment under capital leases	193,700		193,700		100,600
Gigafactory [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Cost transferred to asset class			604,100
Costs related to construction activities	4,470,000		4,470,000		3,150,000
Gigafactory 2 [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Cost transferred to asset class			649,500
Build To Suit Arrangements [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,680,000		1,680,000		1,630,000
Accrued liabilities	109,000		109,000		14,900
Other long-term liabilities	1,620,000		1,620,000		1,670,000
Production Equipment [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 1,140,000		$ 1,140,000		$ 473,300