Tesla Supercharger Layoffs May Already Be Impacting New Charging Site Construction
In a shocking move, Tesla laid off its entire Supercharger staff, raising questions about its future and ability to continue offering a superior experience to a growing number of EV owners. InsideEVs reported on the most immediate impact of the layoffs, as it learned that some new charging sites had already been canceled.
The publication reported that Tesla canceled four planned Supercharger sites in New York City, with the story breaking just hours after the layoff news hit the wires. Though the automaker’s next moves are a mystery to everyone, likely including many at the company, it will not move forward with new locations in the South Bronx, South Brooklyn, and two in Queens.
Tesla’s charging network makes up a significant portion of DC fast chargers in the U.S., with around a 30 percent share. The company’s Superchargers are so good that several other automakers opted to adopt the standard for current and future EVs, and the layoffs could cause executives some heartburn. It should also be concerning for the federal government, which has pushed hard for charging network expansions, including giving Tesla big money to open its network to outside brands.
It's entirely possible that another charging company fills the gap if Tesla’s layoffs slow Supercharger growth or impact its ability to offer a superior experience, but so far, none have shown any willingness to make strides to improve their chargers.
[Image: Tesla]
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Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.
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Could be a smart move though. Once the standard (that Tesla owns and designed) is set, Tesla bows out of the market while still owning the rights to the design. Other companies come in and purchase rights to use it, and Tesla can sit back and profit off the design without having to lay out capital to continue to build the network.
I see Tesla introducing disruptive charging technology within 3 years.
What happened to the other companies that were going to build charging stations? Maybe I'm not remembering clearly OR maybe the money the government gave them hasn't been applied to building some at this point. Sincere question/no snark.
The only way this makes sense to me (still looking) is if it is tied to the realization that they have a capital issue (cash crunch) which is getting in the way of their plans.