Tesla Rolls Out Emergency Drive-Away Feature After Supercharger Shooting

Tesla has introduced a new "Emergency Drive Away" feature, enabling its vehicles to move while still connected to a Supercharger during urgent situations. This development comes months after a driver was shot inside a Tesla taxi at a Supercharger station located at an In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls, Idaho. Previously, drivers needed to unlock the charge port via the vehicle's infotainment system, the Tesla app, or a button on the charger handle, a process deemed problematic for quick emergency exits.

Following the Idaho incident, Tesla owners advocated for a rapid escape system. The company announced the Emergency Drive Away feature on X, demonstrating its activation. If a driver shifts into Drive with the charger still attached, the infotainment system displays a notice to activate the override. It also warns that driving with the cable connected could damage both the car and the Supercharger station, explicitly stating, "Use only in an emergency." To activate, users must hold the brake pedal and tap "Activate" on the screen.

Access to this new safety feature requires an upgrade to the latest software. Currently, it is exclusively available for Superchargers within the United States and does not support pre-2021 Model S and X vehicles. Tesla also stated on X that deliberate misuse "will invoke additional penalties," clarifying that electrical and civil costs could amount to "up to $25k" if the feature is abused, though it remains unclear if Tesla would charge for activation in genuine emergencies.

What to watch: Monitor further details on potential charges for legitimate emergency use.

Editor's note: The article effectively summarizes the new safety feature, its activation requirements, and the associated warnings regarding potential costs.