Tesla changes lease policy, didn’t use old cars as robotaxis
arstechnica.comPublished: 5/15/2025
Summary
Tesla's leasing policies have upset some customers who feel misled about their cars' future. Until recently, Tesla prevented former leasers from buying their EVs at the end of a lease, instead keeping them in its ride-hailing network. However, after expanding the policy to Model 3 and Y leases last November, Tesla has started selling these vehicles separately. This has annoyed some customers who feel they were promised ongoing use but only got a one-time transaction. Some owners believe it was an oversight if buyouts were permitted earlier, while Tesla's share price has benefited from Musk's promotion of autonomous driving capabilities, with rides in Austin expected next month.