Title: Tesla Rolls Out An Emergency Drive-Away Feature After Supercharger Shooting
URL Source: https://www.engadget.com/2275509/tesla-supercharger-emergency-drive-away-feature/
Published Time: 2026-10-02T12:03:04+00:00
Markdown Content:
But it’s only available for Superchargers in the US.
Tesla
Tesla has [introduced](https://electrek.co/2026/10/01/tesla-emergency-drive-away-supercharger-shooting/) a new feature that will allow you to drive away even while you're still plugged into a Supercharger in case of emergencies. This comes a couple of months after a driver was [shot inside of the Tesla taxi](https://www.teslaoracle.com/2026/08/03/tesla-driver-survives-in-twin-falls-shooting-owners-ask-for-emergency-charge-port-unlock-at-superchargers-to-flee-safely/) he was charging at an In-N-Out Burger location in Twin Falls, Idaho. To be able to go from Park to Drive on a Tesla after charging, you'll have to unlock the charge port from the vehicle's infotainment system or its app, or by pressing a button on the charger handle. As you can see, that's a problem if you need to get out of there quickly.
After the incident, Tesla owners called for the automaker to implement a quick get-away system, even if they have to pay for it so that it doesn't get abused. Now, Tesla has announced Emergency Drive Away [on X](https://x.com/TeslaCharging/status/2105793365027819830) with a short demo of how it can be activated. If you shift into Drive while the charger is still attached to your car, your infotainment system will show a notice that you'll have to activate the feature to override the lock. It also shows a warning that driving with the cable connected will cause damage to your car _and_ to the Supercharger station. "Use only in an emergency," it says. To switch on the feature, you'll have to hold the brake pedal and tap Activate on the screen.
To gain access to the feature, you must upgrade to the latest software. At the moment, it only works with Superchargers in the US, and pre-2021 Model S and X vehicles are not supported. On X, the company says deliberate misuse "will invoke additional penalties."When [asked](https://x.com/TeslaCharging/status/2105811650310009179) what kind of physical and monetary damages one can expect if the feature is used, the company [replied](https://x.com/TeslaCharging/status/2105811650310009179) that "electrical and civil cost can be up to $25k." It's not quite clear if Tesla will ask you to pay for activating the drive-away feature in case of actual emergencies.
Does anyone know if this works if the touchscreen is frozen or the battery is dead? Just wondering.
I’d rather pay $25k in damages than risk my life. Glad they added this, even if it’s clunky.
Wait, the feature is only for US Superchargers? That feels like a pretty concerning limitation given the incident was in Idaho.
Finally, something practical. I hope they don’t charge for using it during an actual emergency though.