Why the Future Is Uncertain for Tesla’s Supercharge Network

The future of Tesla Supercharging is uncertain after CEO Elon Musk dissolved the Supercharging team as part of a broader restructuring. The approximately 500 layoffs include senior director of EV charging Rebecca Tinucci and Daniel Ho, director of vehicle programs.

Musk’s sudden decision raised concerns about the future of Tesla’s EV charging system, which has become one of the largest EV charging networks in the world with more than 55,000 charging ports, according to the company.

“I would describe the Supercharger network as one of the jewels in Tesla’s crown.” said Andres Pinter, Co-CEO of Bullet EV Charging Solutions. “Instead of taking victory laps and building out the Supercharger network and taking advantage of that asset, suddenly there’s this pause.”

Bloomberg reported on Monday that Tesla has begun hiring back some of the laid-off employees at the group, citing people familiar with the matter.

It’s been a tough time for Tesla as the electric car maker struggles with market pressures and increased competition in the sector.

Tesla partnered with Ford Motor, General Motors and others last year to open up part of the Supercharge network to non-Tesla drivers.

Musk said in a post that Tesla still plans to develop the Supercharger network, but at a slower pace. He also said he would invest $500 million in expanding the network and creating thousands of new chargers this year. Still, experts question how the recent cuts will affect the overall EV charging landscape.

“We’ve really relied on Tesla’s leadership here in North America,” said Matt Teske, founder and CEO of Chargeway. “I think the sudden sense of that leadership seeming stalled or stalled calls into question where we go from here and who’s going to step up?”

As Tesla takes its next steps, stakeholders and EV buyers are waiting to see how the decision will affect not only the charging landscape, but the wider adoption of electric cars.

Watch the video for the full story and learn how the cuts could shape the future of electric car charging and potentially affect Tesla’s market position. Tesla did not respond to a request for comment.