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Tesla Adds Emergency Drive‑Away Option After Shooting

Tesla has rolled out a new emergency drive‑away feature that lets drivers move their vehicles while still connected to a Supercharger, following a shooting incident at an In‑N‑Out Burger in Twin Falls, Idaho. The feature, announced on X, requires owners to unlock the charge port via the car’s infotainment system, the Tesla app, or a button on the charger handle before shifting into Drive. Activation involves holding the brake and tapping an on‑screen prompt, after which the system warns that driving with the cable attached could damage the vehicle and the charging station. The update is available only for U.S. Superchargers and excludes pre‑2021 Model S and Model X cars, with Tesla warning that misuse could trigger penalties and cost up to $25,000 in damages. Owners must install the latest software to access the option, and it remains unclear whether a fee will apply during real emergencies. Tesla’s move aims to give drivers a quick exit in dangerous situations while discouraging abuse of the system.

· Engadget

The essential points

  1. 01Tesla’s emergency drive‑away feature lets cars shift into Drive while still plugged in, a response to a 2026 shooting at an Idaho Supercharger
  2. 02Activation requires unlocking the charge port and tapping an on‑screen prompt while holding the brake, with warnings of potential damage
  3. 03The update is limited to U.S. Superchargers and excludes pre‑2021 Model S and X vehicles, pending a software upgrade
  4. 04Tesla cautions that misuse could incur penalties and up to $25,000 in electrical and civil costs, but it is unclear if a fee will be charged in emergencies
The full brief

Tesla has rolled out a new emergency drive‑away feature that lets drivers move their vehicles while still connected to a Supercharger, following a shooting incident at an In‑N‑Out Burger in Twin Falls, Idaho. The feature, announced on X, requires owners to unlock the charge port via the car’s infotainment system, the Tesla app, or a button on the charger handle before shifting into Drive. Activation involves holding the brake and tapping an on‑screen prompt, after which the system warns that driving with the cable attached could damage the vehicle and the charging station.

The update is available only for U. S. Superchargers and excludes pre‑2021 Model S and Model X cars, with Tesla warning that misuse could trigger penalties and cost up to $25,000 in damages.

Owners must install the latest software to access the option, and it remains unclear whether a fee will apply during real emergencies. Tesla’s move aims to give drivers a quick exit in dangerous situations while discouraging abuse of the system.