This is a high risk high reward gamble by Tesla. If people take this offer, they are basically getting to lease to own.

Musk is betting that the car will be so good that people will want to keep it.

If it's true, then buyers are getting a great deal and Tesla wins with a lot of cars on the market, and in turn, a lot of leverage to get their charging stations all over the place.

If it's not true, then it all goes to hell over a year period where people are returning them and Tesla is buying them back.

Musk is basically saying "there is nothing better than a Tesla, and I am willing to bet the farm on it."