Tesla introduced the Emergency Drive Away feature, allowing drivers to shift into drive and depart while the charging cable is still connected. This function was developed following a shooting incident at a Supercharger station in Twin Falls, Idaho. It enables immediate vehicle movement without manually unlocking the port or disconnecting the cable.
The company warns that using this feature causes physical damage to both the vehicle's charging port and the charging station. Repair costs for a Supercharger station can reach up to $25,000 depending on the model. The process involves the rupture of a glycol-based coolant line within the cable, necessitating professional maintenance for both the car and the station.
The feature is compatible with Supercharger V2, V3, and V4 stations, but it does not function with home chargers. Tesla notes that a single V4 post in a business configuration costs $62,500, meaning the potential damage represents approximately 40% of the equipment's value. The car must be taken to a service center after the feature is activated.
Tesla has not yet clarified who will bear the repair costs if the feature is used during a genuine emergency. The company has also not disclosed potential penalties for misuse. There is a possibility that Tesla may charge the repair expenses directly to the payment method linked to the owner's account.
