Tesla has a possible fix for chaotic charging lines

"Tesla is piloting a digital "waitlist feature" at five Supercharger locations in the US. The feature helps drivers know who gets dibs next on available plugs and how long they must wait. Without the queue, EV owners typically rely on vague parking lot etiquette to decide who is next. Tesla wants EV drivers to wait their turn."

"The feature allows drivers to join a virtual queue when all charging stalls are occupied. A Tesla owner shared a video on X showing a new "Join Waitlist" button appearing on their car's infotainment screen. After entering the queue, drivers could see how many cars were ahead of them and receive estimated wait times for an available charging stall."

"The drivers said other EV owners can still bypass the queue, though the system will notify users that they're skipping ahead. Tesla reposted that video. The company also confirmed in a separate comment that the waitlist is also available for Supercharger-capable non-Tesla vehicles through the automaker's app."

"Without a formal queue system, EV drivers at busy charging stations often rely on informal parking lot etiquette to determine who plugs in next. Unlike gas stations, where drivers typically wait directly behind an open pump, EV charging layouts can make it less obvious which vehicle is next in line. Tesla's feature effectively creates a digital single-file line at crowded charging stations."

Tesla is piloting a digital waitlist feature at five Supercharger locations in California and New York. The feature lets drivers join a virtual queue when all charging stalls are occupied. It provides visibility into how many cars are ahead and estimates how long drivers must wait for an available stall. Without a formal queue, drivers often rely on informal parking lot etiquette to decide who charges next, especially when station layouts make the next vehicle unclear. A “Join Waitlist” button appears on a car’s infotainment screen, and drivers can see their position and wait time. The system can still be bypassed, with notifications when users skip ahead. Tesla also makes the waitlist available for Supercharger-capable non-Tesla vehicles through its app.

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