Tesla has announced a new safety feature for its cars. The brand took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to show off its new Emergency Drive Away feature. It allows drivers to pull away from a Supercharger without manually unplugging in an emergency.
How it Works
With the feature, while plugged into the Supercharger, Tesla owners can still put the car into drive. An Emergency Drive Away Alert will appear on the Tesla’s screen. Once you select “Activate,” the handle will break away and fall to the ground, and you’ll be able to drive on.
Tesla describes Emergency Drive Away as a “peace of mind feature” and cautions that it “shouldn’t be used lightly.” A subsequent post reiterates that this feature is for emergency use only and that “use of this feature will damage your vehicle and the Supercharger.” Tesla warns that “Deliberate misuse will invoke additional penalties,” though the company didn’t specify what they might be.
The feature is rolling out over the air now.
The Background
A tragedy inspired the feature. Back in August, 10 people were shot, three fatally, at a restaurant and nearby charging station in Twin Falls, Idaho. This safety feature provides a way out in the event of such an emergency.
Prior to Emergency Drive Away, Teslas could not shift away from a Supercharger until the driver manually disconnected the vehicle from the port.
The feature is included in software update 2026.38.3. It will not function on Model S sedans or Model X SUVs sold before 2021.
