Tesla Sues EVject Over Allegedly Dangerous EV Charging Accessory For Minimum $75,000

Tesla has filed a lawsuit against EVject, a startup company producing an electric vehicle (EV) charging accessory designed to prevent carjacking. The legal action by Tesla is filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

According to the lawsuit, Tesla alleges that EVject’s “Escape Connector” poses major safety risks and damages Tesla’s brand reputation. In detail, the $299 Escape Connector is marketed as a safety device that allows EV owners to quickly disconnect from charging stations in emergency situations without leaving their EV. EVject claims this feature protects drivers from potential carjackings, animal attacks, and adverse weather conditions at public charging stations.

However, Tesla alleges that the device is “highly unsafe and poses a high risk of injury to person and/or property.” Tesla’s testing revealed that the Escape Connector could reach temperatures as high as 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit) after 30 minutes of charging at 420 amps when used with a Tesla Supercharger cable and EV charge port.

In regards to Tesla’s complaint, the company states, “During an over-temperature event, a user of the Connector may be burned during (or following) charging by touching or grabbing the Connector. In addition, the high temperature present in the Connector poses a risk of fire and ignition of other combustible materials in the charger cable, the vehicle connected to the Connector, and the Supercharger infrastructure.”

Tesla is seeking several remedies through the court:

• A ban on EVject advertising the product as safe
• Prohibition of importing the adapter into the U.S.
• A minimum of $75,000 in damages

Furthermore, the lawsuit also accuses EVject of false advertising, trademark dilution, and unlawful trade practices. Tesla argues that EVject’s marketing claims of the product “working seamlessly” with DC fast charging have harmed Tesla’s brand.

Currently, EVject’s website markets the Escape Connector as “fully compatible” with North American Charging Standard (NACS) vehicles and lists many Tesla models by name. Notably, the company has acknowledged that the adapter may get hot when charging certain models, such as the Cybertruck.

As this legal action spotlights the ongoing tensions between established EV automakers and aftermarket accessory producers, the issues of safety, compatibility, and brand protection are likely to become increasingly prominent.

With the outcome of this lawsuit potentially having major implications for the EV accessory market, it may influence future regulations surrounding third-party charging equipment. As the case progresses, the EV industry will be paying close attention to the results.

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