Discounts, freebies, and zero-interest loans - Tesla tries every trick to give its EV sales a boost

Buying a Tesla used to feel like joining an exclusive club with a long waiting list. That feeling is long gone, and today, the company is practically holding the door open, enticing buyers with a bunch of incentives. Faced with falling sales, the once undisputed giant of electric cars is rolling out aggressive offers designed to clear its inventory before the end of the third quarter.

The Austin-based automaker is not leaving any stones unturned. For anyone considering a new Tesla delivered by September 30, the company is offering a broad range of perks. Starting with a huge incentive for those looking to lease - a $7,500 credit directly lowering the cost of entry. On top of that, every new vehicle comes with a free trial of the company's "Full Self-Driving (Supervised)" system, giving new owners a one-month taste of the advanced driver-assistance technology.

This deal is paired with a trial of Premium Connectivity, which enables features like live traffic visualization and in-car streaming. Owners of the Model 3 and Model Y get a 30-day trial, while those going for the high-end Model S, Model X, or the polarizing Cybertruck receive a full year of the service for free.

Drilling down into the specifics for each model reveals a calculated strategy. Tesla is dangling two very different carrots for the popular Model 3. Buyers who buy the $8,000 Full Self-Driving package can secure 0% APR financing on their vehicle loan, a rare offer in today's market.

Alternatively, for those who prefer to pay with cash, Tesla is providing 18 months of free Supercharging, a valuable perk for anyone planning frequent road trips. This forces a choice between long-term financing savings and immediate savings at the charging station.

The brand's best-selling vehicle, the Model Y crossover, also sees some great deals. The financing rate has been slashed to a 3.49% annual percentage rate (APR) from a previous 5.54%. For lessees, the monthly payment drops to $349 from $399 on a standard 36-month contract with a $3,000 down payment.

The unconventional Cybertruck isn't left out from this last-minute dash for Q2 finish line. It also qualifies for the 0% APR financing deal when bundled with the FSD package and gets a free upgrade to the more rugged 20-inch "Cyber" wheels fitted with all-terrain tires.

Why the sudden generosity? The numbers tell the story. In the first half of this year, Tesla sold 31,000 fewer cars than it did during the same period in 2024. While the company still holds a commanding position with roughly half of the entire American market for electric cars, its grip is loosening.

The overall EV market actually grew by a modest 1.5%, indicating that other automakers are successfully gaining customers that might have once defaulted to a Tesla. With the shift in the $7,500 federal tax credit looming, Tesla is pushing hard to move its current inventory.

For consumers, this creates an attractive, if temporary, buyer's market. The combination of manufacturer discounts and the potential for federal credits presents a unique window of opportunity. Tesla's sales momentum has slowed, and the increased competition in the EV space is forcing the brand to work harder for every sale. It seems that for now, the company is banking on discounts and freebies to regain its footing, rather than introducing the more affordable, next-generation model many have been waiting for.

Source