Certain California Tesla owners who bought vehicles with free lifetime Supercharging may qualify for refunds and cash payments under a proposed class action settlement.
The proposed settlement would resolve allegations that Tesla improperly charged Supercharger “idle fees” to some early customers and disabled, or threatened to disable, Supercharger access when those fees were not paid. Tesla denies wrongdoing, and the court has not ruled that the company violated the law.
Claims must be submitted online or postmarked by September 25, 2026.
Who may qualify for the Tesla settlement
The settlement covers people who meet all of the following requirements:
- received a Tesla vehicle in California before December 16, 2016;
- continued to own the vehicle after December 16, 2016;
- were California citizens as of June 21, 2021; and
- bought a vehicle whose Motor Vehicle Purchase Agreement described it as “Supercharger Enabled,” “Supercharger Hardware,” or “Supercharger Hardware & Access.”
The settlement excludes the judge and the judge’s family and staff, Tesla and related insiders, and people who previously excluded themselves from the class.
The official claim portal requires the LoginID and PIN included with the settlement notice. People who cannot locate that information can contact the settlement administrator using the details on the official site.
What benefits are available
The proposed settlement provides several forms of relief. Benefits are cumulative, so an eligible class member may qualify for more than one benefit.
Refund of paid Supercharger idle fees
Class members who submit a valid claim may receive a refund of Supercharger idle fees they paid through the date of the settlement agreement. Tesla’s records will be used to calculate the refund.
The settlement does not cover fees that were never paid or were already waived, and it does not prevent Tesla from charging idle fees incurred after the settlement agreement was executed.
$50 or $350 for disabled Supercharger access
Class members may claim:
- $50 if an eligible vehicle’s Supercharger access was disabled for less than 30 days because of unpaid idle fees or other fees; or
- $350 if access was disabled for 30 or more consecutive days for that reason.
Tesla’s records will be used to confirm the length of any disabling period. If the records do not support a 30-day period, an otherwise valid claimant may receive $50 instead of $350.
$10 for former owners
A class member who no longer owns the eligible Tesla may elect to receive a $10 payment by submitting a valid claim and attesting that they meet the class requirements.
Restored access and waived unpaid fees
For class members who still own eligible vehicles received in California before December 16, 2016, Tesla has agreed not to disable Supercharger access, to restore access if it was previously disabled, and to waive qualifying unpaid idle fees through the date of the settlement.
How to file a claim by September 25
Claims can be submitted through the official settlement website. A separate claim is required for each eligible vehicle listed in Tesla’s records.
To file online, class members must use the LoginID and PIN printed on their notice. A paper claim form is also available and can be mailed to the settlement administrator.
Online claims must be submitted by September 25, 2026. Mailed claims must be postmarked by the same date.
When will payments be sent?
The Alameda County Superior Court granted preliminary approval on June 25, 2026, according to the settlement materials. A final approval hearing is scheduled for December 2, 2026, in Shenkman v. Tesla, Inc., Case No. RG21102833.
Payments and other settlement benefits will not be distributed unless the court grants final approval and any appeals are resolved. The hearing date may change, so class members should check the official settlement website for updates.
What the Tesla lawsuit alleged
The lawsuit alleged that Tesla promised certain early customers free lifetime Supercharging but later imposed idle fees when vehicles remained connected after charging was complete. It also alleged that Tesla disabled, or said it would disable, Supercharger access when customers did not pay those fees.
Tesla denies the allegations and maintains that its conduct complied with California law and its agreements with customers. The settlement resolves the dispute without a finding that Tesla did anything wrong.
What Tesla owners should know
Receiving a Tesla in California before December 16, 2016 does not by itself establish eligibility. The class definition also includes ownership, California-citizenship, and contract-language requirements.
People who received a notice should compare their circumstances with the official class definition and use the court-authorized website—not an unofficial claims service—to file. Submitting a claim is free.
This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Class members with questions about their rights may contact the settlement administrator or consult their own attorney.