Tesla Launches EV Rental Program in California

Tesla has launched a short-term rental program for its electric vehicles at two California locations, offering customers an opportunity to drive models from its lineup for three to seven days starting at $60 per day. The initiative, which began in early November, is available at the company's stores in San Diego and Costa Mesa, with plans to expand to additional sites across the United States before the end of the year.

The program allows renters to select from premium trims of the Model 3, Model Y, Model S, Model X, or Cybertruck. Daily rates vary by model: $60 for the Model 3 or Model Y, $75 for the Cybertruck, and $90 for the Model S or Model X. Rentals include unlimited mileage, free access to Tesla Superchargers for charging, and supervised use of the Full Self-Driving advanced driver-assistance feature. Vehicles must remain within the state of pickup, and renters face a $30 fee if the car is returned with less than 50 percent charge. Insurance details were not specified in the program's terms.

To encourage purchases, Tesla offers a $250 credit toward a new vehicle for customers who buy within seven days of completing their rental. The company describes the service as an...