Overview
- Tesla rolled out the Emergency Drive Away feature in an over‑the‑air update on Thursday that lets a driver shift into Drive and depart while the charging cable remains attached.
- The function requires software 2026.38.3, works at U.S. Superchargers without new stall hardware, and excludes Model S and Model X vehicles built before 2021.
- An in‑car warning says using the feature will damage the vehicle and the Supercharger and that short camera recordings will be shared with Tesla; the company said deliberate misuse will bring additional penalties but did not specify what they are.
- The feature follows a deadly August shooting at a Twin Falls, Idaho Supercharger and owner pressure for a native escape option after aftermarket products such as EVject drew interest and prior legal disputes with Tesla.
- The change gives drivers a rapid escape option but raises questions about who will bear repair costs, how penalties will be enforced, and whether Tesla will expand the feature beyond the U.S.