Road rage has been a known issue for some time, but a more recent occurrence, referred to as EV charging rage, is emerging. This situation arises when an electric vehicle (EV) owner bypasses a queue to access one of the few functioning charging ports.
This problem is gaining attention as incidents between EV drivers are frequently shared on social media and forums. There has even been at least one instance where such a conflict turned fatal.
In response to such incidents, including a particular altercation at a crowded Supercharger station, Tesla has announced plans to introduce virtual queuing pilots at select sites starting in the second quarter. This announcement was made in a post on X, stating that the objective is to enhance the overall customer experience, particularly in the approximately 1% of cases that involve wait times. The post did not address the broader issue of prolonged wait times or acknowledge that Tesla owners have previously suggested implementing a queuing system on forums and social media.
Tesla indicated that a broader implementation would occur this year if feedback from the pilots is positive. The company also mentioned in the X post that they continue to expand their network by over 20% annually, with a focus on matching site-level demand.
It remains uncertain whether the proposed queue system will initially be accessible to drivers of non-Tesla EVs. Manufacturers such as GM, Ford, Nissan, and Lucid have already obtained access to Tesla’s Supercharger network.
