| Component: (Network and Table) | |
|---|---|
| Network | 101270 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting and Information about Geographic Areas - Schedule of Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Area (Detail) (http://www.teslamotors.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentReportingAndInformationAboutGeographicAreasScheduleOfLongLivedAssetsByGeographicAreaDetail) |
| Table | Schedule Of Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Table] |
| Reporting Entity [Axis] | 0001318605 (http://www.sec.gov/CIK) |
| Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items] | Period [Axis] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016-12-31 | 2015-12-31 | |||||
| Geographical | Geographical | |||||
| United States [Member] | International [Member] | Geographical | United States [Member] | International [Member] | Geographical | |
Long-lived Assets | ||||||