Tesla has introduced a feature that allows drivers to shift their vehicle into Drive while it remains connected to a Supercharger, a capability the company announced on X with a short demonstration. The option is intended for emergencies, letting owners leave a charging stall without first detaching the cable. Under normal operation, a Tesla cannot move from Park to Drive until the charge port is unlocked, which can be done through the infotainment system, the mobile app, or a button on the charger handle.
The feature follows an incident a couple of months earlier in which a driver was shot inside the Tesla taxi he was charging at an In-N-Out Burger location in Twin Falls, Idaho. After that event, Tesla owners asked the automaker to add a quick get-away system, with some saying they would pay for it to prevent abuse. Tesla has now responded with Emergency Drive Away, which it detailed in a post on X.
To use the feature, a driver who shifts into Drive while the charger is still attached will see a notice on the infotainment screen requiring activation to override the lock. The screen also displays a warning that driving with the cable connected will damage the car and the Supercharger station, along with the instruction to use it only in an emergency. Activation requires holding the brake pedal and tapping Activate on the screen.
Access to Emergency Drive Away requires upgrading to the latest software. At present, it works only with Superchargers in the United States, and pre-2021 Model S and X vehicles are not supported. Tesla did not indicate whether owners will be charged for activating the feature during genuine emergencies, and it stated on X that deliberate misuse will invoke additional penalties. Asked about the physical and monetary damages that could result from using the feature, the company said electrical and civil costs can reach up to $25k.
The rollout addresses a safety concern raised by Tesla owners who charge at public locations and want a way to depart quickly without exiting the vehicle or reaching for a charger handle. By allowing the car to move while plugged in, the software change removes a step that could delay a driver facing a threat. The feature is limited to the company’s own charging network and a subset of its vehicles for now.
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