Here's The Alert You'll Receive If You're Plugged Into A Tesla Supercharger After Charging Is Complete

Tesla Supercharger Alert - Image Via Mayank Pandya Late last night, news broke of Tesla implementing a fee for vehicles still plugged into Superchargers after charging is complete. The fee, $0.40 cent per minute in the U.S. (starting five minutes after charging is complete), was apparently implemented immediately. Evidence of this immediate implementation comes to us via...

By: Eric Loveday

Dec 17, 2016 at 12:11pm ET

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Late last night, news broke of Tesla implementing a fee for vehicles still plugged into Superchargers after charging is complete.

The fee, $0.40 cent per minute in the U.S. (starting five minutes after charging is complete), was apparently implemented immediately. Evidence of this immediate implementation comes to us via a post in the Tesla Model X Owners Group on Facebook.

As of 6:44 PM in California, the notifications were already being pushed to smartphones of Tesla Model X and S owners. Here's how Tesla describes the notification process:

How do I know when I’ve incurred an idle fee?

The Tesla mobile app notifies you both when charging nears completion and again when fully done. Additional notifications will alert you when idle fees are incurred.

Tesla wasted no time in taking action and the general sentiment seems to be that this was long overdue.

UPDATE: Tesla CEO Elon Musk has already decided to alter the program a bit to be less harsh to owners, noting that no fees will be charged if the Supercharging station is not in high demand while parked after a recent charge.

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More details on the fees in the press release below.

Supercharger Idle Fee

We designed the Supercharger network to enable a seamless, enjoyable road trip experience. Therefore, we understand that it can be frustrating to arrive at a station only to discover fully charged Tesla cars occupying all the spots. To create a better experience for all owners, we’re introducing a fleet-wide idle fee that aims to increase Supercharger availability.

We envision a future where cars move themselves once fully charged, enhancing network efficiency and the customer experience even further. Until then, we ask that vehicles be moved from the Supercharger once fully charged. A customer would never leave a car parked by the pump at a gas station and the same thinking applies with Superchargers.

The Tesla app allows owners to remotely monitor their vehicle, alerting them when their charge is nearly complete and again once fully charged. For every additional minute a car remains connected to the Supercharger, it will incur a $0.40 idle fee. If the car is moved within 5 minutes, the fee is waived. To be clear, this change is purely about increasing customer happiness and we hope to never make any money from it.

We’re excited to increase availability during long distance travel and think this change will make the Supercharging experience far better for everyone.

How will I be billed?

You will be billed for any idle fees incurred at your next Service Center visit.

How do I know when I’ve incurred an idle fee? The Tesla mobile app notifies you both when charging nears completion and again when fully done. Additional notifications will alert you when idle fees are incurred.

Which cars can incur idle fees? All Model S and Model X cars can incur idle fees.

Does the idle fee charge anything while you’re still charging? No, an idle fee is only applied once a charge session is complete. At this point, the car is no longer Supercharging and the spot should be made available for the next driver.

Do idle fees apply if there are Supercharger spots still available? Yes, idle fees apply to any car occupying a Supercharger stall once the charge session is complete.

Is there an upper limit on the idle fee? No, idle fees will continue to accrue if the car is not moved within five minutes after the charge session is complete.

Do taxes apply? Supercharger idle fees include tax.

Do idle fees apply to Destination Charging locations? No, idle fees only apply to Superchargers.

Idle Fees By Country

Country Fee United States USD $0.40 Canada CAN $0.50 Austria 0.35 € Belgium € 0.35 Croatia HRK 2.70 Czech Republic 9.50 CSK Denmark kr. 2.60 Finland € 0.35 France 0.35 € Germany 0.35 € Italy € 0.35 Luxembourg € 0.35 Netherlands € 0.35 Norway kr. 3.25 Poland 1.50 PLN Slovakia 0.35 € Slovenia 0.35 € Spain 0.35 € Sweden 3.20 kr Switzerland CHF 0.40 UK £ 0.30 Australia AUS $0.55 China CNY ¥ 2.60 Hong Kong HK $3.10

Japan JPN ¥ 43.00