Tesla offers loaner cars, valet service

Tesla will use its Model S Performance cars as loaners.

(Credit: Wayne Cunningham/CNET)

Tesla announced today that it would offer its high-end Model S Performance edition, with an 85 kilowatt-hour battery pack, and the Roadster as loaner cars for when owners’ cars are being serviced. As Tesla sells cars directly to owners, the company, rather than a dealer, handles all service and loaner-car issues.

No matter what Model S version is in for service, owners will have their choice of the Model S Performance edition, which retails for $ 87,400, or one of the older Roadster models as a loaner car. Further, Tesla said it will let owners who would like to upgrade purchase the loaner car, with a depreciation rate of 1 percent per month of age and $ 1 dollar per mile on the odometer.

Tesla will deliver the loa… [Read more]