Tesla rolls out loaner, valet service

Tesla Motors unveiled a service and warranty program that could ease concerns about owning an all-electric vehicle.

Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk announced today the company is building a loaner fleet of 85 fully loaded Model S vehicles. If an owner's Model S acts up and needs service, Tesla will bring the loaner to their door and take away the troubled one.

Other luxury car companies provide high-end service. However, Tesla has tried to raise the bar by allowing Model S owners to keep the loaner car if they end up liking it better.

Musk wrote on the company blog today:

The Model S loaners will be available for immediate purchase at a price that is lower by 1 percent per month of age and $1 per mile. If you like the service loaner more than your other car, you can just keep it.

All damage to the battery is covered, even if an owner doesn't properly maintain the car's battery or leaves the pack at a low state of charge for years on end. The only exceptions are collision or intentional abuse. Under the warranty the company will replace the battery at no cost with one that has an energy capacity equal to or better than the original pack before the failure occurred, Musk wrote on the blog.

Photo: Tesla Motors

This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com