- Tesla is suing EVject over the Escape Connector, claiming it is unsafe and poses risks of injury and damage.
- Tesla seeks to block the import of the adapter in the US and demands $75,000 in damages, citing overheating issues during tests.
OUR TAKE
EVject’s “Escape Connector” has sparked a legal battle with Tesla, which deems it a safety risk. Tesla claims the connector overheats, endangering users and its charging infrastructure. In fact, no innovation can be at the expense of safety, and Tesla’s caution reflects its responsibility to consumers.
–Jasmine Zhang, BTW reporter
What happened
Tesla is suing EVject over its MagSafe-style Escape Connector, claiming it is unsafe and poses a high risk of injury and damage to property. Tesla’s tests indicated the product heats up to 100 degrees Celsius during high-current simulations, making it dangerous.
They argue that EVject falsely advertises the adapter as compatible with Tesla’s North American Charging Standard vehicles. Tesla seeks to block the import of the adapter in the US, ban the company from marketing it as safe, and demands $75,000 in damages for potential harm to their charging cables and infrastructure.
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Why it’s important
EVject’s product, designed for a quick escape from charging stalls, has ignited Tesla’s fury, with the automaker accusing it of being a ticking time bomb. Tesla’s claims—that the connector can overheat to a scalding 100°C during high-current charging—highlight serious risks, not just for users but for the integrity of Tesla’s charging infrastructure.
While EVject markets its connector as a necessary safeguard against potential attacks, Tesla argues it’s a hazardous gimmick that jeopardises both lives and property. As electric vehicle adoption soars, this case underscores the critical need for rigorous safety standards amidst the rush for novel solutions. Will innovation or caution win out in this electrifying showdown? From my perspective, nothing is more important than security, and innovation cannot be built at the expense of security.
