Tesla adds emergency drive-away mode for Supercharger stations

Tesla has pushed a software update called "Emergency Drive Away" that enables drivers to move a vehicle out of park while it remains connected to a Supercharger, but only in urgent circumstances. Activation requires selecting an alert and pressing a bottom-screen button, after which the car disengages from the charging handle. The company cautioned that employing the function will harm both the vehicle and the charger and could lead to undisclosed penalties for misuse.

The feature was introduced after a fatal shooting near an In-N-Out in Twin Falls, Idaho, where Dale Schultz was inside a Tesla at a charging station. Max de Zegher, Tesla's senior director of charging in North America, emphasized that the aim is to enhance safety and that the firm is moving or closing stations deemed unsafe. Tesla has not detailed what punitive measures will be applied for improper use.