v3.20.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jan. 01, 2020
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2020
USD ($)
Customer
Dec. 31, 2019
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2019
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2019
USD ($)
Customer
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]          
Deferred revenue   $ 1,530,000,000 $ 1,470,000,000   $ 1,470,000,000
Deferred revenue recognized out of prior period balance   57,000,000 37,000,000    
Deferred revenue recognized in next 12 months   810,000,000      
Total sales return reserve from buyback options   594,000,000 639,000,000   639,000,000
Sales return reserve from short term buyback options   106,000,000 93,000,000   93,000,000
Maximum repurchase price of vehicles under resale value arrangement   149,000,000 214,000,000   214,000,000
Resale value exercisable by leasing partners   113,000,000      
Leasing revenue recognized   239,000,000   $ 215,000,000  
Resale value guarantees, lease revenue recognized   35,000,000     48,000,000
Unrecognized tax benefits   274,000,000 273,000,000   273,000,000
Unrecognized tax benefits, that would not affect effective tax rate   248,000,000 247,000,000   247,000,000
Increase in net loss attributable to common stockholders   $ 8,000,000      
Number of years for loans payable   30 years      
MyPower customer notes receivable, net of allowance for credit losses   $ 358,000,000 402,000,000   402,000,000
MyPower customer notes receivable, net of allowance for credit losses, current   9,000,000 9,000,000   $ 9,000,000
Allowance for credit losses   45,000,000      
Non-accrual notes receivable   0      
Past due notes receivable   $ 0      
Number of customers representing more than ten percentage of accounts receivable | Customer   1     0
Accounts receivable from OEM customers excess percentage   10.00%     10.00%
Gross cost of operating lease vehicles   $ 2,940,000,000 2,850,000,000   $ 2,850,000,000
Net accumulated depreciation related to leased vehicles   $ 412,000,000 $ 406,000,000   $ 406,000,000
Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 [Member]          
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]          
Increase to the allowance for credit losses $ 37,000,000        
0.25% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2019 ("2019 Notes") [Member] | Recourse debt [Member]          
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]          
Interest Rate   0.25%      
Maturity year   2019      
1.25% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2021 ("2021 Notes") [Member] | Recourse debt [Member]          
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]          
Interest Rate   1.25% 1.25%   1.25%
Maturity year   2021      
2.375% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2022 [Member] | Recourse debt [Member]          
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]          
Interest Rate   2.375% 2.375%   2.375%
Maturity year   2022      
2.00% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2024 [Member] | Recourse debt [Member]          
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]          
Interest Rate   2.00% 2.00%   2.00%
Maturity year   2024      
5.50% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2022 [Member] | Recourse debt [Member]          
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]          
Interest Rate   5.50%      
Maturity year   2022      
Customer payments [Member] | Energy Generation and Storage [Member]          
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]          
Deferred revenue   $ 149,000,000 $ 156,000,000   $ 156,000,000
Deferred revenue recognized in next 12 months   5,000,000      
Deferred revenue recognized   21,000,000     17,000,000
Unbilled transaction price allocated to performance obligations, expected of more than one year   102,000,000      
Accrued Liabilities And Other [Member]          
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]          
Resale value guarantees, current portion sales to customers   74,000,000 115,000,000   115,000,000
Vehicles [Member]          
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]          
Net carrying amount of operating lease vehicles   $ 53,000,000 83,000,000   83,000,000
Solar Energy Systems [Member]          
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]          
Product warranty description   we also provide a warranty on the installation and components of the energy generation and storage systems we sell for periods typically between 10 to 25 years.      
Sales To Leasing Companies With Guarantee [Member]          
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]          
Deferred revenue   $ 20,000,000 29,000,000   29,000,000
Resale value guarantee   164,000,000 238,000,000   238,000,000
Leasing revenue recognized   33,000,000 53,000,000    
Net carrying amount of operating lease vehicles   132,000,000 $ 190,000,000   190,000,000
Automotive Regulatory Credits [Member]          
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]          
Deferred revenue recognized   $ 140,000,000     $ 0
Deferred revenue, recognition period   12 months