Tesla Takes on Depreciation Anxiety With New Finance Option

Tesla Australia has introduced a guaranteed future value (GFV) loan program for buyers of new Tesla vehicles — with the Model Y and Model 3 as the headline models — in direct response to one of the most persistent concerns around electric vehicle ownership: depreciation.

The program is available through a partnership with Australian automotive finance platform Driva, which already operates the LeaseMyTesla novated lease program with Tesla. According to CarsGuide, the scheme allows prospective buyers to lock in a guaranteed minimum future value for their vehicle at the time of purchase. Because the loan is structured around that residual figure, monthly repayments are lower than a standard loan over the same term — the buyer finances only the difference between the purchase price and the locked-in future value, rather than the full purchase price.

According to The Driven, the program went live in Tesla stores on 10 July 2026 and is currently limited to private buyers — rideshare drivers are excluded at launch. Driva and Tesla have indicated a separate loan product tailored to rideshare drivers is planned for later in July 2026, so buyers in that category should check current availability before enquiring.

As CarExpert reports, Tesla says the program allows customers to have their final loan payment covered by the vehicle's trade-in value, meaning no out-of-pocket expense to finalise the loan — provided the vehicle meets agreed mileage limits and fair wear-and-tear guidelines. That conditionality is load-bearing: buyers who exceed the annual kilometre cap or return a vehicle with damage outside fair wear and tear may not be covered by the guarantee and could face a shortfall. Buyers should obtain the specific kilometre limit in writing before signing.

At the end of the loan term, buyers have four options: return the car to cover the final payment with its trade-in value; pay out the balloon balance and keep the vehicle; refinance the remaining balance; or sell the car privately and keep any amount above the guaranteed figure if the market value exceeds it.

Finance Partnership and Structure

The GFV loan operates similarly to a standard balloon-payment loan, with one key distinction: Driva guarantees the minimum return value of the vehicle at the end of the term, removing the risk that the car is worth less than the balloon amount at trade-in. The guaranteed value is set upfront by Driva based on the model, loan term, and agreed annual mileage.

Driva is not a new partner for Tesla. It has been Tesla's finance partner for the LeaseMyTesla novated lease program since 2024, so the infrastructure underpinning the GFV product is an extension of an existing commercial relationship, not a standing-start arrangement.

While GFV products are structurally common — Hyundai and other established brands have offered equivalent programs in Australia for years — Tesla's entry into the space is notable given the context: between 2023 and 2025, aggressive price cuts damaged resale values across the used Tesla market in Australia. The average Model Y lost approximately 25.5% of its value between January 2024 and January 2025. Tesla's own pricing decisions are, in effect, the reason a resale-floor product is now necessary.

That history raises the central buyer question: how conservatively is Driva setting the guaranteed residual? The specific GFV percentages being offered have not been publicly disclosed by Tesla or Driva. A conservatively set residual carries minimal financial risk for the lender but may provide limited genuine protection for the buyer — the guarantee functions as a floor, not a promise of strong resale performance. Prospective buyers should request the guaranteed dollar figure upfront and compare it against independent depreciation forecasts for the specific variant and term before signing.

Prices and What's Eligible

The GFV program applies to any new Tesla model sold in Australia financed through Driva, though current marketing focuses on the Model Y SUV and Model 3 sedan.

Model Y pricing before on-road costs (as at July 2026, per CarsGuide and Tesla Australia):

• Premium RWD: from $58,900
• Long Range AWD: from $68,900
• Model Y L (six-seat, three-row extended body): from $74,900
• Performance: from $89,400

Model 3 pricing before on-road costs (CarsGuide, CarExpert):

• RWD: from $54,900
• Long Range AWD: from $67,900
• Performance: from $80,900

All variants of both models are priced below the 2025–26 Luxury Car Tax (LCT) threshold for fuel-efficient vehicles ($91,387 for 2025–26, applying to vehicles consuming less than 7L/100km — all Tesla models qualify), meaning buyers using a novated lease remain eligible for the FBT exemption under Australia's Electric Car Discount. Buyers considering the GFV loan versus a novated lease should model both structures: the novated lease FBT exemption can produce significant after-tax savings that a standard GFV loan does not replicate.

Both the Model 3 and Model Y come with Tesla's updated 5-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty for vehicles delivered from 1 January 2026, an upgrade from the previous 4-year/80,000 km cover. The high-voltage battery carries a separate 8-year warranty.

Model Y Demand Running Hot

The timing of the GFV launch coincides with exceptional momentum for the Model Y. In May 2026, the Model Y became the first electric vehicle in Australian history to top the country's overall monthly new car sales chart outright — not just among EVs — recording 5,605 deliveries and outselling the Ford Ranger (4,474) and Toyota HiLux (4,005). It then broke its own record in June 2026 with 8,072 deliveries, Australia's best-ever monthly result for any single model since the Holden Commodore era, making the Model Y the best-selling vehicle in Australia for two consecutive months.

Tesla's total Australian deliveries reached 23,588 in the first half of 2026, a 66.7% year-on-year increase — a sharp reversal from a 24.8% sales slump in 2025. The six-seat Model Y L, which began Australian deliveries in early 2026 priced from $74,900 before on-roads, contributed to the June surge according to industry reports, and Tesla country director Thom Drew has described it as resonating strongly with families and fleet buyers. The Model Y L is currently the only six-seat battery-electric vehicle available in the Australian market.

For buyers considering either model under the GFV structure, the total cost picture warrants careful modelling: lower monthly repayments are attractive, but the balloon payment or trade-in obligation at term end means the overall cost depends heavily on how the car's actual resale value tracks against the guaranteed figure — and on whether the buyer plans to keep the car beyond the loan term. If you intend to hold the vehicle long-term, a standard loan financing the full amount may produce a lower total cost of ownership. The GFV structure delivers its clearest benefit to buyers who plan to upgrade at the end of the term and want certainty that the trade-in will cover the balloon with no out-of-pocket shortfall.

Sources

• The Driven
• CarExpert — GFV program
• CarsGuide — GFV and pricing
• CarExpert — June 2026 sales record
• The Driven — May 2026 record month
• The Driven — Model Y wait times
• Chasing Cars — Model Y L pricing
• Autotalk Australia — Driva partnership detail
• Tesla Australia — Model Y warranty
• Tesla Australia — Model 3 warranty