Tesla has introduced an Emergency Drive Away feature, allowing drivers to shift into gear and depart while the vehicle remains connected to a Supercharger. The company explicitly states that this action causes damage to both the electric vehicle and the charging station.
Repair costs for a Supercharger following the use of this feature can reach up to $25,000, depending on the station type. This estimate covers electrical and civil engineering repairs. Additionally, the vehicle requires a mandatory service visit to address the charge port, and the process involves cleaning up glycol coolant leaked from the cable.
The feature is compatible with V2, V3, and V4 Supercharger stalls but does not function with home charging equipment. Tesla has confirmed that deliberate misuse of the function will result in additional penalties, although the specific criteria for misuse and the exact penalty amounts remain undisclosed.
Tesla has not clarified who is financially responsible for the repair bills. The company maintains payment methods on file for all Supercharger sessions, similar to how it processes idle and congestion fees. For context, the hardware cost for a single V4 Supercharger post is approximately $62,500.
