Tesla's new emergency departure feature may damage charging stations

Tesla has introduced a new "emergency departure" feature in the United States. This function allows drivers to move their vehicle during an emergency, even if the Supercharger cable is still plugged in. However, Tesla has stated that using the feature can damage both the vehicle and the charging station.

While the exact cost of potential damage was not initially specified, further inquiries revealed that the feature could cause up to $25,000 in damage to a Supercharger. The actual cost depends on the specific circumstances of the charging station. Following use of the emergency departure function, the vehicle must be taken to a service center for inspection of the charging port, though the cost of these inspections has not been disclosed.

The repairs required for a charging station could involve electrical and civil engineering work, extending beyond the charging cable or the vehicle itself. Tesla noted that a liquid observed leaking from a charging station in a demonstration video was coolant from the cable, which would be cleaned during mandatory servicing of the Supercharger.

Reports indicate that the hardware cost for a site equipped with eight V4 Superchargers can reach $500,000, averaging $62,500 per unit before installation. Tesla has not yet clarified whether drivers will be held responsible for Supercharger repair costs if the emergency departure feature is used in a genuine emergency. The feature supports V2, V3, and V4 Superchargers but not home chargers. Tesla also confirmed that intentional misuse of the feature will incur additional penalties.