When Tesla suspended their referral program earlier this year, Elon Musk told customers on X that the program would return with some tweaks. Last month (August, 2024), the company made good on that executive promise with a revised Tesla referral program that rewards buyers and referrers with significant bonuses. Right now that bonus is a $1,000 discount for buyers of a Model S, Model 3, Model X or Model Y, and a $500 credit for the referrer.
To get the discount, just use a Tesla referral link to start your purchase then select the model you wish to order. If you need a referral code for the discount, feel free to use any of our referral links below. Note: some links have already reached the referral cap, so just try the next one down if you don't see the $1,000 discount offer appear.
As the company did in the previous version of the referral program, Tesla has included a limit on the number of referrals a Tesla owner can make in the new program. Only the first 10 referrals from a single person will earn the buyer and the referrer the bonuses in a calendar year. And while a person can refer up to 10 buyers per year (and the buyer will get the credit), the company is limiting the number of referral rewards for the referring customer at 10 referrals per the lifetime of the Tesla account. Tesla has been known to modify the terms and conditions of its referral program before without warning or notification, so it's best to check the "Refer and Earn Terms and Conditions" page on the Tesla web site for details.
The $500 referral credit for the referring customer can be used toward merchandise in the Tesla shop, a new car purchase, Supercharging or even maintenance or service performed at a Tesla service center.
As a regular referrer myself, I will say I'm happy to see the program return with rewards that can be used on really useful things like a new car purchase, Tesla merchandise and accessories or even service and maintenance expenses. Referral rewards in the new program currently expire one year after they are earned. The expiration date is based on the "grant date" which is the day the new buyer takes delivery of his or her new car. Referral orders show up as "pending" in your account before the car is delivered.
The current referral reward for buyers only applies toward the purchase of a Tesla Model S, Model 3, Model X or Model Y. The Model 3 was previously ineligible for referral bonuses (with last year's redesign) but it is again eligible for referral rewards in the new version of the referral program. The Cybertruck and Roadster are not currently eligible for rewards, but this may change in the future as these vehicles ramp up production volume. Tesla has not included any rewards for purchases of Tesla solar power systems or PowerWall batteries in the current version of the referral program.
While used vehicles are not eligible for referral bonuses, new in-stock inventory vehicles are eligible for the referral bonus as well as any federal, state and local incentives. Just make sure to use a referral link when you start shopping for your inventory vehicle. Here's a listing of new inventory Model Y vehicles that are eligible for the referral bonus:
> Tesla Model Y Inventory Near You (includes referral code)
Any person who owns a Tesla car and lives in a region that is eligible to earn referral rewards can refer a new customer to Tesla and earn the referral rewards. If you are buying a Tesla car and have a friend or family member who already owns a Tesla, ask them for their referral code or referral link so you can both earn the reward bonus. Tesla customers can find their referral link in the Tesla mobile app in the "Refer and Earn" link in the account section (the three lines on the top right of the app screen). The referral code is usually a combination of the customer's first name and 5 numbers.
The Tesla customer who successfully refers a new person to buy a Tesla Model S, Model 3, Model X or Model Y earns a $500 credit toward Supercharging, software upgrades, merchandise, service payments or a new Tesla for each new Tesla car buyer they refer who takes delivery. They'll also have a chance to win an invitation to an upcoming Tesla event. The referral will show up as "pending" in the Tesla app until the buyer takes delivery of his or her car. At delivery, the referral credit will be available in the "Wallet" section of the Tesla app to use toward eligible merchandise or services. The first 10 people who order a new Tesla car using the referral link (per year) will receive $1,000 off their purchase price. Tesla's referral program is currently capped at 10 referral rewards per referrer, per lifetime of the account.
An existing Tesla customer can use his or her own referral link for a Tesla car purchase. You will get the current buyer bonus (currently $1,000 discount as of September 2, 2024) but you will not earn any referral rewards.
Tesla has never been big on marketing or advertising, and this is likely one of the reasons their sales growth has slowed lately. But the company has been effective at driving new customers to the brand by tapping into the loyalty and enthusiasm of current Tesla owners. Despite the CEO's antics, Tesla still leads the automotive sector for brand loyalty, with 87% of Tesla owners saying they plan to buy another Tesla and 7% saying they plan to buy a different brand of electric vehicle (only 6% say they plan to go back to a gas-powered vehicle after owning a Tesla EV). By offering useful rewards like a discount on the purchase price of any Tesla car, car accessories, Supercharging and even service credits for referring customers, Tesla should be able to effectively stimulate new car sales with this latest version of the Tesla referral program.
Related Reading:
Tesla Referral Program FAQ (CleanTechnica)
