.png)
California residents as of June 21, 2021, who purchased a Supercharger-enabled Tesla vehicle before Dec. 16, 2016, may be eligible to claim cash payments and other benefits from a class action settlement.
Tesla Inc. agreed to settle a class action lawsuit alleging it improperly charged idle fees to certain customers who bought vehicles with free lifetime Supercharging. The lawsuit also claims Tesla disabled or threatened to disable Supercharger access for those who did not pay these fees.
Who can file a claim?
Class members must meet all of the following criteria:
- The purchased a Tesla vehicle in California before Dec. 16, 2016.
- They continued to own the vehicle after Dec. 16, 2016.
- They resided in California as of June 21, 2021.
- They fall within one of the following three liability subclasses:
- They purchased a vehicle Tesla’s motor vehicle purchase agreement described as “Supercharger-enabled” before Dec. 16, 2016.
- They purchased a vehicle described as “Supercharger hardware” before Dec. 16, 2016.
- They purchased a vehicle described as “Supercharger hardware and access” before Dec. 16, 2016.
The settlement administrator used Tesla’s records to identify class members .
What benefits can class members receive?
The settlement provides both cash and noncash benefits, and class members may qualify for more than one type of relief. The available compensation includes:
- No disabling and waiver of idle fees: For class members who still own an eligible Tesla vehicle, Tesla will not disable Supercharger access, will restore access if it previously disabled it and will waive any unpaid idle fees incurred up to the date of the settlement.
- $10 payment: If a class member no longer owns an eligible Tesla vehicle, they can submit a claim to receive a $10 payment.
- Idle fee refund: Class members who submit a valid claim form may receive a refund of all Supercharger idle fees they paid through the date of the settlement. The settlement administrator will determine the refund amount using Tesla’s records. This benefit only covers fees the class member actually paid and not those Tesla previously waived.
- Disabling payment: If Tesla disabled a class member’s vehicle due to unpaid idle or other fees, they may receive:
- $50 if Tesla disabled the vehicle’s Supercharger access for less than 30 consecutive days
- $350 if Tesla disabled the vehicle’s Supercharger access for 30 or more consecutive days
To receive the $350 payment, claimants must identify the approximate year(s) during which Tesla disabled their vehicle for 30 or more consecutive days. The settlement administrator will use Tesla’s records to verify the disabling period.
How to claim a class action settlement payment
Class members can file a claim online or download a PDF claim form to print, complete and mail to the settlement administrator.
Settlement administrator's mailing address: Tesla Idle Fee Class Action Settlement, c/o Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 25226, Santa Ana, CA 92799-9958
The claim deadline is Sept. 25, 2026.
Required information
To file an online claim form, class members must log in with the login ID and PIN from the settlement notice they received. Those who are unable to locate their ID and PIN should contact the settlement administrator by emailing info@TeslaIdleFeeClassAction.com and providing their full name and mailing address.
Payout options
The settlement administrator will mail checks to the address class members provide on the claim form.
Settlement fund breakdown
The settlement fund will cover:.
- Settlement administration costs: To be determined
- Attorneys’ fees: Up to $1,000,000
- Attorneys’ expenses: Up to $100,000
- Service award to class representative: Up to $10,000
- Payments to class members: Remaining funds
Important dates
- Deadline to file a claim: Sept. 25, 2026
- Final approval hearing: Dec. 2, 2026
When is the Shenkman v. Tesla Inc. payout date?
The settlement administrator will distribute settlement payments approximately 60 days after the court resolves any appeals and grants final approval of the settlement.
Why did this class action settlement happen?
The class action lawsuit alleged Tesla charged idle fees to certain customers who purchased vehicles with free lifetime Supercharging and, in some cases, disabled or threatened to disable Supercharger access if they did not pay those fees.
Tesla denies any wrongdoing, and both sides agreed to settle to avoid the uncertainty, expense and time of continued litigation.
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.svg)