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Tesla Supercharger idle fees in California, the case and the claim
Last checked August 30, 2026
Shenkman v. Tesla, Inc., case number RG21102833, is a proposed settlement for California customers who bought a Tesla with free lifetime Supercharging and were later charged Supercharger idle fees. The claim deadline is September 25, 2026, and each eligible vehicle needs its own form.
The plaintiff's argument was that a purchase agreement promising Supercharger access could not be reconciled with idle fees, and that Tesla went further by disabling or threatening to disable Supercharging when those fees went unpaid. Tesla denies wrongdoing and the court has not ruled on who is right.
Who the class covers
- You took delivery of an eligible Tesla in California before December 16, 2016 and still owned it after that date.
- You were a California citizen as of June 21, 2021.
- Your purchase agreement described the car as Supercharger Enabled, Supercharger Hardware, or Supercharger Hardware & Access.
What the settlement offers
Relief is tied to what happened to your car. Idle fees paid through the settlement date can be refunded. An owner whose Supercharger access was disabled for less than 30 days may receive $50; for 30 or more consecutive days, $350. Current owners may also get non-cash relief, and former owners may choose a $10 payment instead. The administrator and the court decide every amount.
Status and deadline
The settlement is proposed, meaning the court has given it preliminary approval and a final approval hearing is still ahead. Claims are being taken now. The cutoff for submitting is September 25, 2026, and a late form is not counted.
Filing with the administrator
Claims go through the settlement administrator's site, teslaidlefeeclassaction.com. You need the LoginID and PIN printed on your notice. If you never received one or lost it, the administrator can issue new credentials on request. Submit one claim form per eligible vehicle.
After submission the administrator checks your vehicle against Tesla's records and the class definition. Payments follow final approval. Filing is free, whether you use the administrator's site directly or find the case through Payout, which never takes a share.
Questions about the Tesla Idle Fee case
I own two eligible Teslas. Do I file once?
No. The settlement requires a separate claim form for each eligible vehicle.
What if I no longer own the car?
Former owners are in the class and may elect a $10 payment, along with any idle fee refund the administrator calculates.
Has the court finally approved this settlement?
Not yet. It is a proposed settlement, and payments wait for the final approval order.
I lost my notice. Can I still claim?
Yes. Contact the administrator through the claim site to request your LoginID and PIN before September 25, 2026.
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