A California Tesla driver named Chad Lauterbach ventured into a remote part of Montana, only to be caught allegedly stealing electricity in a small town. The unusual case unfolded far from the charging infrastructure most EV owners rely on.
Driving an electric vehicle into such isolated territory presents obvious challenges when chargers are scarce. The incident highlights both the range anxiety that can accompany rural EV travel and the trouble that can follow when someone takes a shortcut to power up.