The other article suggests that the cars cannot be towed when bricked; and that the battery pack is not rechargeable after bricking but needs replacement.
I'm not sure what happens to the value of the dead battery pack when they fit a new pack. Do you get to sell the dead battery back to them or to anyone else? Or is that included in the $40,000 charge?
That's actually the weakest point of the other article - any towing company will be able to move your bricked car even if the wheels leave skid marks all the way onto their tow truck.
Yes, you've hit the stronger point: why should you have to pay $40k, and it's not covered by your warranty or insurance?
I'm not sure what happens to the value of the dead battery pack when they fit a new pack. Do you get to sell the dead battery back to them or to anyone else? Or is that included in the $40,000 charge?