Tesla finally implements a long-awaited safety measure in its Superchargers

Tesla has just released a new software update for its electric vehicles that includes a new feature called Emergency Drive Away – which could be translated as Emergency Escape. As its name suggests, this feature allows the driver of a vehicle of the brand to leave the charging point even though the cable is still connected. Something that until now was completely impossible.

In this way, the driver is allowed to escape the location in a situation that puts their life at risk, such as a shooting or an attempted robbery.

Why now and not before?

This software update comes just after a fatal shooting that took place about two months ago in the United States. On that occasion, a man deliberately fired at people who were peacefully inside their Teslas while charging the vehicle’s battery. This case has led the American manufacturer to take action to try to prevent something like this from happening again.

It is important to point out, however, that, as the company itself explains, leaving the charging point without having disconnected the cable should only be done in an emergency, since this manoeuvre will cause damage to both the Supercharger and the vehicle itself. For this reason, the improper or premeditated use of this new feature will lead to penalties. Tesla also warns that the vehicle’s cameras will record a short sequence that will be sent to the company’s control centre to assess whether a genuine emergency existed that justified the sudden departure.

To leave the Supercharger hurriedly in an emergency, the driver must press the brake pedal and select the gear. At that moment a warning message will appear on the screen which, if accepted, will allow the vehicle to move even with the cable still connected.

Emergency Drive Away lets you shift into Drive while still plugged into a Supercharger https://t.co/40GSzyP4lG

— Tesla Charging (@TeslaCharging) October 1, 2026

The Emergency Drive Away feature is part of software update 2026.38.3 and is currently available only in the United States. Tesla has indicated on X that, for the time being, it will be limited to that market. It is unknown, at this point, whether it could later reach other countries as well.