Tesla Emergency Drive Away is a new feature that lets a car shift into Drive while it remains connected to a Supercharger. Tesla Charging announced it on X on October 1, and the update is rolling out over the air.
However, the on-screen warning reveals the trade-off. Tesla says using the feature will damage the car and the charger.
How Tesla Emergency Drive Away works
Until now, a Tesla would not leave Park with a charge cable attached, so a driver had to unplug first. In Tesla’s demo video, a car that stays connected shows a charge-cable warning on its screen.
Instead, shifting into Drive now brings up an “Emergency Drive Away” prompt. Then the driver holds the brake pedal and taps Activate. In the video, Tesla says the handle breaks away and falls to the ground, but the car can carry on.
The fine print on the screen
The prompt warns that driving with the cable connected will cause damage to the vehicle and the Supercharger. Tesla also says to use the feature only in an emergency. Meanwhile, small print at the bottom adds a detail Tesla’s post does not mention: “Short camera recordings will be shared with Tesla.”
Cost is the other catch. Another user asked what a drive-away could cost, and Tesla Charging replied that “electrical & civil cost can be up to $25k,” depending on the Supercharger. It also said a service visit is mandatory for the charge port.
Depends on the Supercharger, but electrical & civil cost can be up to $25k. Service visit mandatory for the chargeport. Only use in case of an emergency.
Tesla Charging, on X
Who gets it, and why now
According to Drive Tesla Canada, the feature arrives in software update 2026.38.3. It currently applies only to US Superchargers. Model S and Model X cars built before 2021 do not get it.
Tesla’s announcement does not say why it built the feature. The timing, however, follows an August 1 attack in Twin Falls, Idaho. Police video shows a gunman firing at Teslas parked at a Supercharger next to an In-N-Out restaurant. NBC News reported that the attack left three people dead and seven wounded.
Still, Tesla has not said whether activating the feature carries a fee beyond repair costs. The Supercharger network keeps growing. For example, Tech My Money reported that every 2027 GM EV will plug into Tesla Superchargers. Tesla’s recent safety news includes a door-handle recall in China.
