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Tesla research and development expense, 2009–2025
Tesla reported research and development expense of $6.41 billion for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2025, up 41.2% from $4.54 billion the year before, according to its Form 10-K.
Fiscal years labeled by the year in which they ended. Bars drawn from the table below.
Tesla research and development expense by fiscal year
| Fiscal year ended | R&D expense | Change | Filing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 31, 2025 | $6.41B | +41.2% | 10-K (2026) ↗ |
| Dec. 31, 2024 | $4.54B | +14.4% | 10-K (2026) ↗ |
| Dec. 31, 2023 | $3.97B | +29.1% | 10-K (2026) ↗ |
| Dec. 31, 2022 | $3.08B | +18.6% | 10-K (2025) ↗ |
| Dec. 31, 2021 | $2.59B | +73.9% | 10-K (2024) ↗ |
| Dec. 31, 2020 | $1.49B | +11.0% | 10-K (2023) ↗ |
| Dec. 31, 2019 | $1.34B | −8.0% | 10-K (2022) ↗ |
| Dec. 31, 2018 | $1.46B | +6.0% | 10-K (2021) ↗ |
| Dec. 31, 2017 | $1.38B | +65.1% | 10-K (2020) ↗ |
| Dec. 31, 2016 | $834.4M | +16.2% | 10-K (2019) ↗ |
| Dec. 31, 2015 | $717.9M | +54.5% | 10-K (2018) ↗ |
| Dec. 31, 2014 | $464.7M | +100.3% | 10-K (2017) ↗ |
| Dec. 31, 2013 | $232.0M | −15.3% | 10-K (2016) ↗ |
| Dec. 31, 2012 | $274.0M | +31.1% | 10-K (2015) ↗ |
| Dec. 31, 2011 | $209.0M | +124.7% | 10-K (2014) ↗ |
| Dec. 31, 2010 | $93.0M | +382.3% | 10-K (2013) ↗ |
| Dec. 31, 2009 | $19.3M | — | 10-K/A (2012) ↗ |
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FAQ
Q What was Tesla's research and development expense in its latest fiscal year?
A Tesla reported research and development expense of $6.41 billion for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2025, up 41.2% from $4.54 billion the year before, according to its Form 10-K.
Q What is Tesla's highest annual research and development expense on record here?
A $6.41 billion, in the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2025, among the fiscal years 2009–2025 reported in its 10-K XBRL data.
Q Where does this research and development expense data come from?
A From Tesla's annual reports on Form 10-K, as tagged in XBRL and published by the SEC (company facts). Research and development expense as reported in the income statement.
Source: Tesla's annual reports on Form 10-K via SEC XBRL company facts, updated Oct. 15, 2026. Research and development expense as reported in the income statement. For each year the most recent 10-K that reports it is used, so a figure a company later restated shows the restated value; the filing link shows which report it came from. Change is our arithmetic. Financial data, not investment advice.