Tesla Adds Emergency Drive Away Feature to Superchargers
Tesla released a software update allowing drivers to drive away from charging cables during emergencies to escape dangerous situations.
Tesla Inc. released an over-the-air software update on Thursday introducing an Emergency Drive Away feature. The tool allows drivers to shift a vehicle into drive and break away from a Supercharger cable during emergencies, bypassing the standard safety lock that prevents shifting while the car is plugged in.
The update follows a shooting in Twin Falls, Idaho, two months ago, where a victim was killed while inside a Tesla at a charging station. Company leadership stated they decided to offer the feature as a last-resort safety measure, though they maintain that they prioritize safe site selection for their charging network.
Tesla warned that using the feature will damage both the vehicle and the charging equipment. The company further stated that deliberate misuse of the tool will invoke additional penalties.
