Elon Musk has surprisingly fired Tesla’s Supercharger team, as reported by Reuters and other media outlets. This move has sparked concerns about the future of the largest charging networks in the US.
Several Tesla employees confirmed the layoffs in social media posts on Tuesday. Lane Chaplin, a senior manager in Tesla’s charging division, wrote on LinkedIn:
In the middle of the night, I learned, along with all my #Tesla Global #Charging colleagues, that the Tesla Charging org is no more.
Additionally, the news follows Tesla’s recent announcement of a global workforce reduction exceeding 10%.
Tesla: Revolutionizing EV Charging
Tesla is the global leading provider of fast-charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. Notably, it had 6,249 Supercharger stations and over 57,000 connectors by the close of the first quarter.
Moreover, Tesla outdoes all other providers combined in terms of fast chargers in the United States, as reported by BloombergNEF.
The EV maker had a significant advantage because of the Supercharger network’s quality and extensive coverage. Additionally, it was a major selling point for potential customers.
Steve Gooding, RAC Foundation’s director, expressed concerns that Tesla’s decision might demoralize individuals considering the switch to EVs.
You need reassurance that the people selling you the vehicles see a strong future for the technology.
If manufacturers are reining back their ambitions, it means drivers might think twice about going electric or at least delay a purchase until they see more positive news.
Tesla: Expanding Charging Network Access
Tesla recently reached agreements with multiple car manufacturers in North America, enabling them to use Tesla’s charging standard, NACS, to access its charging network.
Under the leadership of Elon Musk, Tesla has established charging collaborations with numerous automakers, such as Stellantis NV, Volvo, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW. However, the responsibility for managing Tesla’s partnerships with these companies is currently uncertain.
According to Tesla’s website, GM, Volvo, and Polestar were all set to introduce NACS chargers to their customers soon.
Tesla has not replied to media requests for comment. However, Musk said on X on Tuesday:
The company still plans to grow the Supercharger network, just at a slower pace for new locations and more focus on 100% uptime and expansion of existing locations.
As the EV market progresses, the pace of development of Tesla’s charging infrastructure and its consequences for the industry remains uncertain.
