Property Plant and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands |
12 Months Ended | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 31, 2016 |
Dec. 31, 2015 |
Dec. 31, 2014 |
Dec. 16, 2016 |
Dec. 16, 2015 |
|
| Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items] | |||||
| Interest expense capitalized | $ 46,700 | $ 41,500 | |||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 5,982,957 | 3,403,334 | |||
| Liability recorded relating to guarantees | 1,210,028 | 422,798 | |||
| Other long-term liabilities | 1,891,449 | 364,976 | |||
| Depreciation and amortization expense | 477,300 | 278,700 | $ 155,900 | ||
| Total property and equipment assets under capital lease | 112,600 | 58,100 | |||
| Accumulated depreciation related to assets under capital lease | 40,200 | 22,700 | |||
| Build To Suit Arrangements [Member] | |||||
| Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items] | |||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | $ 1,320,000 | $ 206,100 | |||
| Liability recorded relating to guarantees | 3,800 | 1,300 | |||
| Other long-term liabilities | $ 1,300,000 | $ 201,300 | |||
| Gigafactory [Member] | |||||
| Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items] | |||||
| Costs related to construction activities | $ 825,300 | $ 317,500 | |||