Published
July 25, 2026
Tesla agreed to a proposed settlement over idle fees and disabled Supercharger access for certain early vehicles with free lifetime Supercharging. Eligible California class members can claim cash and account relief by September 25, 2026.
What Is the Tesla Supercharger Idle Fee Settlement About?
The proposed settlement resolves claims in Shenkman v. Tesla, Inc. that Tesla improperly charged Supercharger “idle fees” to certain customers who purchased vehicles with free lifetime Supercharging. The lawsuit also alleges that Tesla disabled, or said it would disable, a vehicle’s Supercharger access when those fees were not paid.Tesla denies wrongdoing and contends that its conduct complied with applicable law and its customer agreements. The court has not decided which side is right.
Status
Claims Open
Proposed settlement awaiting final approval
Claim Deadline
September 25, 2026
Online or postmarked by this date
Benefits
Up to $350 + Fee Relief
Paid idle-fee refunds, cash and account relief
Proof Required
Yes
LoginID and PIN from the notice are required online
Who Qualifies?
You may be a settlement class member if all four statements below are true:• You received a Tesla vehicle in California before December 16, 2016;
• You continued to own that vehicle after December 16, 2016;
• You were a citizen of California as of June 21, 2021; and
• Your vehicle falls within one of the three Liability Subclasses.
The Liability Subclasses cover class members whose Tesla Motor Vehicle Purchase Agreement described the vehicle as “Supercharger Enabled,” “Supercharger Hardware,” or “Supercharger Hardware & Access” before December 16, 2016.
The class excludes the judge and the judge’s family and staff, Tesla and its officers, directors and related companies, and anyone who previously excluded themselves from the class.
What Benefits Can Class Members Claim?
The relief is cumulative, so an eligible class member may qualify for more than one benefit.Refund of Paid Idle Fees
A class member who submits a valid claim may receive a refund of all Supercharger idle fees they paid through the settlement date. Tesla’s records will determine the refund amount. Unpaid fees and fees Tesla previously waived are not refundable.$50 or $350 Supercharger Disabling Payment
A class member may receive $50 if an eligible vehicle’s Supercharger access was disabled for less than 30 days because of unpaid idle or other fees.A class member may receive $350 if access was disabled for at least 30 consecutive days because of unpaid idle or other fees. The paper claim form asks for the approximate year or years of a claimed 30-day disabling period. Tesla’s records will be used to verify the duration; if the records show fewer than 30 consecutive days, the payment will be $50 instead of $350.
Supercharger Access and Unpaid-Fee Relief
For class members who still own an eligible vehicle 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 unpaid idle fees through the settlement date.The settlement does not prevent Tesla from assessing or collecting idle fees incurred after the settlement agreement was executed.
$10 Former-Owner Payment
A class member who no longer owns a Tesla with free Supercharging may elect a $10 cash payment instead of the non-cash Supercharger relief by submitting a valid claim and attesting that the eligibility requirements are met.Do I Need to File a Separate Claim for Each Vehicle?
Yes. If Tesla’s records show that you had or have more than one eligible vehicle, you must submit a separate claim for each vehicle for which you want benefits. The settlement administrator may send a separate notice with a separate LoginID and PIN for each eligible vehicle.The paper form says a VIN is not required unless you purchased more than one Tesla vehicle in California before December 16, 2016. If you owned more than one, the VIN identifies the vehicle covered by that particular claim. Duplicate claims for the same vehicle will be rejected.
How Do I File a Claim Online?
Visit the official Tesla Idle Fee settlement claim portal and enter the LoginID and PIN printed on your notice. Complete the claim selections that apply to you and submit the form no later than September 25, 2026.If you cannot locate your LoginID and PIN, use the official settlement contact page and follow its instructions for requesting your claim credentials.
How Do I File a Paper Claim?
Download the official paper claim form, select the benefits that apply, sign it under penalty of perjury, and mail it according to the instructions printed on the form. The envelope must be postmarked no later than September 25, 2026.Is Proof Required?
The claim form requires you to attest under penalty of perjury that the information you provide is true and that you meet the class requirements. Online filing requires the LoginID and PIN from your notice. The claim form does not instruct most claimants to upload purchase receipts; Tesla’s records are used to determine paid idle-fee amounts and to verify Supercharger disabling periods.Keep a copy of your submitted form and any records that support your claim. The official notice and settlement agreement control if there is any conflict with this summary.
What Is the Claim Deadline?
Online claim forms must be submitted by September 25, 2026. Paper claim forms must be postmarked by September 25, 2026. Cash and refund benefits require a valid, timely claim.What Are the Important Dates?
• Claim deadline: September 25, 2026• Objection deadline: September 25, 2026
• Final Approval Hearing: December 2, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time
The hearing date or time may change, so check the official settlement website for updates.
When Will Settlement Benefits Be Issued?
Benefits will not be distributed unless the court grants final approval. Even after approval, appeals may delay distribution. The settlement notice does not promise a specific payment date.Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for the Tesla Supercharger idle fee settlement?
The class generally includes people who received an eligible Tesla in California before December 16, 2016, continued to own it after that date, were California citizens as of June 21, 2021, and fall within a Liability Subclass based on the purchase agreement.
What benefits does the settlement provide?
Eligible class members may qualify for paid idle-fee refunds, $50 or $350 disabling payments, Supercharger access and unpaid-fee relief, or a $10 former-owner payment. Benefits are cumulative where the requirements are met.
What is the claim deadline?
Online claims must be submitted by September 25, 2026. Mailed claims must be postmarked by September 25, 2026.
What if I lost my LoginID and PIN?
Use the contact page on the official settlement website and follow its instructions for requesting your claim credentials.
Do I need a separate claim for every eligible vehicle?
Yes. Submit a separate claim for each eligible vehicle. If you purchased more than one qualifying vehicle, identify the vehicle covered by each paper claim using its VIN.
Official Settlement Notice
Sources
• Official Tesla Idle Fee Class Action Settlement Website• Official Settlement FAQs
• Long-Form Settlement Notice
• Settlement Agreement
• Shenkman v. Tesla, Inc., Case No. RG21102833, Superior Court of California, County of Alameda
Case Title
Shenkman v. Tesla, Inc.
Case Number
RG21102833
Court
Superior Court of California, County of Alameda
Final Approval Hearing
December 2, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time
Administrator
Simpluris
Official Website
Tesla Idle Fee Class Action
