Tesla hands out new chargers in response to overheating

(Credit: Tesla)

Tesla announced Friday that it’s sending Model S owners upgraded wall chargers for their cars, after several drivers reported accounts of overheating.

A statement from the Palo Alto, Calif., company said a variety of factors could cause chargers to overheat, including “higher than normal electrical resistance.” Tesla said it’s fixed this issue with an over-the-air update rolled out last month. The update lets the car keep the charging current at a level that won’t overheat the adapter.

“This update increases robustness and safety considerably in the unlikely event that a home wiring system, receptacle, adapter or cord is unable to meet its rated current capacity,” according to the statement. But, just in case, the company is also sending out an “improved adapter with a thermal fuse,” in a f… [Read more]