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A mother and her daughter had an unexpected experience when renting a Tesla: they were trapped inside the vehicle because they didn't understand how to open the doors. The incident drew attention to the difficulties that some users face when dealing with the technology of modern electric cars.
In 2021, an ordinary trip turned into a headache for a mother and her 16-year-old daughter. The two, who were in the United States to visit colleges, ended up stuck in a rented Tesla Model 3, after the vehicle ran out of charge in the middle of estrada.
The unusual and frustrating situation occurred after the vehicle rental company offered the electric model as the only option available at the time.
The mother had asked for a gasoline or diesel-powered vehicle, but according to her, an employee told her that only the Tesla was available.
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Even though she was uncomfortable because she had never driven an electric car, she accepted. When she got to the vehicle, she noticed that the tire pressure was low and that the battery had less than half a charge.
The estimated autonomy was only 150 kilometers, which increased the tension even more.
No adapter, no help and no way out
The problem escalated when the lady was unable to locate a Tesla charging station.
The car also did not come with an adapter, which made it impossible to use other types of electric chargers.
The situation got out of control when the car battery died, leaving mother and daughter stranded on the side of the road, not knowing what to do.
She called the rental company's support team, but according to her report, she did not receive any effective help.
To make matters worse, the Tesla's doors, which rely on electrical power to open normally, no longer worked.
Not knowing how to activate the manual emergency release system, the two were trapped in the car.
The Tesla Model 3 has an emergency lever next to the window switch, but the woman and her daughter were unaware of this function. Both of their cell phones were also running out of battery, which made the situation even more tense.
Trunk becomes escape route
Unable to get out through the doors, the solution they found was unusual. A tow truck driver, called by phone, explained how they could get out of the car: crawling through the trunk and using the rear door lock. It was an improvised method, but it worked.
After the rescue, the truck driver took the two to a nearby hotel.
The next day, with no taxis or ride-hailing services available in the area, a hotel employee was paid to take them to their next destination.
After exposure, company reimburses customer
Even after the episode, the story had another chapter. After returning the vehicle, the lady received charges from the rental company for the costs of charging the Tesla. She refused to pay and ended up on a list of customers blocked by the company.
The situation only changed after she shared her story with the American broadcaster CBS News. Due to the repercussion, the company decided to refund all the amounts paid by the customer during the inconvenience.
In a note sent to the press, the company acknowledged the problem. “We understand that some customers may be driving an electric vehicle for the first time, so we provide digital materials and other resources to help them.”, said a spokesperson.
He also stated that he regrets what happened and confirmed a full refund, including travel expenses.
