Tesla has introduced a new feature named Emergency Drive Away, which enables drivers to shift into Drive and depart from a Supercharger station while the charging cable is still connected. This update is currently being rolled out exclusively to vehicles located within the United States.
The functionality is included in software update 2026.38.3. It is compatible with all Supercharger stations across the US, though the company noted that Model S and Model X vehicles manufactured prior to 2021 are not supported by this new capability.
Tesla explicitly warns that utilizing this feature will cause damage to both the electric vehicle and the charging equipment. The company states that the function is intended strictly for emergency situations and cautions that deliberate misuse of the feature will result in additional penalties.
Previously, Tesla vehicles were programmed to remain in Park while a charging cable was attached, requiring users to manually unlock the port via the touchscreen, mobile app, or handle button. The new update removes this software lockout to allow for an immediate exit.
