Tesla has turned its showrooms into rental counters and starting this month, anyone in California can walk into select stores, show a driver’s license, provide a credit card, and drive away in a Model 3, Model Y or even a Cybertruck for as little as $60 a day. No mileage limits, free Supercharging and full self driving all included at no extra charge. Is there a catch? You have to return it within a week and can’t cross state lines.
The program began quietly on November 1 and goes until the end of the year. It’s only available in two locations—San Diego and Costa Mesa—but Tesla promises to add more by New Year’s Eve. The minimum rental is three days and the maximum is seven. The first 48 hours are considered an extended test drive, but you will be charged for each additional day you keep the keys.
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Pricing is straightforward; Model 3 or Model Y start at $60 per day. When you upgrade to a Model S or Model X, it costs $90. The Cybertruck is priced in the middle, at $75. Tesla does not provide base versions, thus all cars have long-range batteries, upgraded interiors, and glass roofs. Taxes and fees increase the final price slightly, but even with California’s high taxes, a weekend in a Model Y costs less than $200.
The icing on the cake is free supercharging, which is available at any Tesla-owned charger and has no limit on how many times you may recharge. Fill up at a nearby station or travel up to Santa Barbara. Plus, Full Self Driving (Supervised) is also available throughout your rental period. That means the vehicle can steer, brake, and change lanes on its own while you keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.
Tesla threw in one clever incentive for anyone on the fence about buying. If you order a new car within 7 days of returning your rental the company will discount the purchase price by up to $250. It’s not a big discount but it covers delivery costs or a couple of tanks of gas in any other car.
Here are the rules: you have to be 21+, have full coverage and leave a credit card on file. The car has to stay in California—GPS tracks where you are and Tesla will know if you cross into Nevada. If you return with less than half a charge, it’s a $30 fee. Otherwise, return it to the same store, charged or not, and walk away.
Tesla hasn’t said if this will be available outside of California or beyond December 31. For now, the deal is simple: sixty bucks a day and you get the full Tesla experience, no long term commitment required. In a market where electric car sales have hit a speed bump, that might just be what some buyers need to sign on the dotted line.
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