Tesla Turns Tides: Lease-to-Own Option Reinstated After Robotaxi Delay
In 2019, Tesla introduced an unusual policy in the United States that prevented customers from purchasing their leased vehicles at the end of the lease term. The company stated that the returned vehicles would be repurposed for its future autonomous robotaxi fleet. At the time, Tesla CEO Elon Musk declared, “We need these cars back,” adding that over one million robotaxis would be deployed by 2020.
However, that promise never materialized. Instead, Tesla opted to refurbish the returned vehicles and resell them at premium prices. According to industry sources, the vehicles were upgraded with features such as “Full Self-Driving” ($8,000–$15,000) and “Acceleration Boost” ($2,000) before being sold to new buyers.
While the practice remained legally permissible, it caused significant confusion and frustration among customers, depriving them of the traditional lease-end purchase option commonly available in the automotive market.
After years of criticism, Tesla reversed its stance on November 27, 2023. In a public announcement, the company stated that vehicles leased under new agreements would be “eligible for purchase at the end of the lease term.”
This policy shift marks a departure from Tesla's earlier ambitions for a fully autonomous taxi network, reflecting a more conventional approach to vehicle leasing and ownership.
