Tesla has recently addressed a common concern among owners who have encountered unexpected charges at third-party Supercharger stations by introducing a new software feature. This update aims to assist owners with Free Supercharging perks in avoiding surprise bills when charging at non-Tesla-owned stations.
The confusion arose from Tesla’s Supercharger for Business program, where companies can purchase and brand their own Supercharger stalls. While these stations may look and function like standard Tesla chargers, the pricing is set by the host business, potentially leading to charges not covered by Tesla’s free credits.
One Cybertruck owner shared their experience after visiting a Wawa-owned site last month, expressing uncertainty about how their free Supercharging benefits would apply. Although they were not charged during their visit, they later discovered a message in the app stating that the first charge was covered, but subsequent charges would need to be paid for at third-party stations.
In response to such feedback, Tesla Charging has rolled out a dedicated toggle in the vehicle’s navigation settings called “Only Add Superchargers Accepting Free Supercharging.” This feature ensures that the Trip Planner directs drivers exclusively to Tesla-owned sites where their free charging perks are valid.
Tesla emphasized that the new routing option is not limited to customers with free Supercharging credits and is also available to those without such benefits who prefer charging at official Tesla locations. To utilize the filter, vehicles must have Online Routing enabled and an active connectivity plan.
While the specific software update containing this feature has not been specified, it is speculated that it could be part of the new Spring Update currently being rolled out. This enhancement aims to provide a seamless and hassle-free charging experience for Tesla owners, regardless of their Supercharging status.