In a surprising twist, George Bahadue, a former Sr. Manager of Site Acquisition and Business Development for Tesla’s Commercial Charging, has announced his return to the company, shedding light on the values that drew him back. This comes after a tumultuous period where Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, made the controversial decision to lay off the entire charging organization, consisting of around 500 employees.
The firing occurred during a round of layoffs when Musk requested Rebecca Tinucci, then head of charging, to reduce her team by 15 to 20%. Tinucci complied but resisted further cuts. In response, Musk not only dismissed her but also her entire team. This drastic move was intended as a stern message to other executives, emphasizing the importance of adhering to his directives. Despite the upheaval, Musk confirmed that Tesla would still invest approximately $500 million in Supercharging infrastructure this year.
Over recent weeks, Tesla has begun rehiring some of the laid-off employees. Bahadue’s return was publicly shared on LinkedIn, where he expressed his deep connection to Tesla’s mission. Quoting Tinucci, he reflected on the drive to leave a positive impact on the future: “You work at Tesla because you hope to have at least a small impact on our collective future… by accelerating the transition to sustainable energy. And that mission is too important to allow any distractions.”
Bahadue acknowledged the significant challenges in EV infrastructure and the crucial role Tesla plays. He highlighted his dedication to the Tesla mission, emphasizing that charging infrastructure remains a major barrier to EV adoption. “My heart is with our customers, our site hosts, all the stakeholders that make EV charging possible, and the Tesla mission of changing the world,” he wrote.
This heartfelt declaration underscores the importance of Tesla’s work and the resilience of its team members. Bahadue’s nod to Tinucci was particularly poignant, recognizing her contributions and leadership in building Tesla’s formidable charging network. His return, driven by a strong sense of purpose, exemplifies the dedication of those committed to advancing sustainable energy, despite the challenging circumstances.