The industry is perplexed by Tesla’s recent move to fire its whole Supercharger staff, especially in light of the company’s receipt of $17 million in federal funds for EV charging infrastructure. Several speculations have surfaced, but the exact motivations behind CEO Elon Musk’s actions are still unknown.
It’s possible that Tesla intends to give up on charging entirely. This appears contradictory given that the corporation has the largest and most dependable charging network in the country. Furthermore, Tesla’s recent decision to allow non-Tesla vehicles to use its Supercharger network cemented its position as the industry leader. It is possible that the $17 million donation was a calculated maneuver to deflect criticism of government partiality or the establishment of a state-funded monopoly. Politico notes that substantial antitrust concerns would probably not arise from a 13% proportion of all scholarships received.
Tesla’s cost-efficiency in building charging hubs compared to competitors adds another layer of intrigue. While accepting government support, Musk has publicly criticized the Biden administration, highlighting the stark contrast between accepting federal funds and his political stance.
Another possible meaning of the layoffs is a change in Tesla’s charging approach. The network that is currently in place is still in use, even if the group in charge of developing new Superchargers has been dissolved. This implies that rather than building more infrastructure, the emphasis should be on improving the current setup. Furthermore, the recent collaboration between Tesla and NACS to install charging stations in convenience stores suggests a possible move away from creating brand-new networks and toward making use of already-existing infrastructure.
It’s unclear how Tesla will continue to be involved in the EV charging market. The company’s long-term commitment to the industry is called into question by the layoffs. But with its well-established network, economical strategy, and new alliances, Tesla might reconsider rather than abandoning its plans entirely. What Musk has in store for Tesla’s influence on the development of EV charging infrastructure remains to be seen.
