Tesla’s Supercharger Growth Stalls Amid Layoffs and Delays

Tesla’s expansion of its Supercharger network has encountered significant delays due to internal staffing challenges and technical obstacles related to integrating Tesla’s charging technology with other automakers’ systems.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, based on analysis from EVAdoption, the rollout of new Supercharger stations slowed considerably between May and August of 2024. The number of new stations opened during this period dropped by 28% compared to the same timeframe in 2023. Over the first eight months of the year, new Supercharger installations were down by 11%.

This slowdown follows layoffs within Tesla’s Supercharger team earlier in the year. In April 2024, the company let go of most of its Supercharger staff, including team leader Rebecca Tinucci. Although Tesla has since rehired some personnel, the team remains smaller, and the expansion has progressed at a significantly reduced pace.

Elon Musk, CEO, Tesla  had previously announced a plan to invest over US$500 million in 2024 to build new Supercharger stations. Despite these efforts, internal disruptions have delayed progress. The Wall Street Journal reports that Tesla’s partners, who depend on the Supercharger team for support, have struggled to reach their contacts following the layoffs, causing further delays in network expansion.

Tesla’s Supercharger network, which includes approximately 6,500 global charging locations, is a cornerstone of the company’s value proposition, known for its efficiency and ease of use. The recent slowdown comes at a critical time, as Tesla faces increased pressure to extend the network’s availability to non-Tesla EV owners.

In 2022, Musk announced plans to open the Supercharger network to rival EV brands, with Ford and Rivian among the first automakers granted access. However, delays in delivering the necessary charging adapters have hindered the full realization of this plan. Ford, for example, has faced difficulties meeting demand for adapters needed to charge its vehicles at Tesla stations. The automaker plans to integrate Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) port into its future models, but the transition is still in progress.

Furthermore, the technical integration required for non-Tesla vehicles to use the Supercharger network has proven complex. Automakers such as General Motors, Volvo, and Polestar are awaiting crucial software updates that would enable their vehicles to communicate with Tesla chargers. These updates, initially expected to roll out in 2024, have not yet been fully implemented, causing additional delays for non-Tesla EV owners.

Earlier this year, Tesla secured $37 million in public funding as part of a federal program aimed at expanding EV charging infrastructure across the U.S. This funding is intended to support the construction of 88 new Supercharger stations in states like Maryland and Arizona, which are critical for EV infrastructure growth. Despite this financial backing, the pace of network expansion has not met expectations.

In response to the setbacks, Tesla has reaffirmed its commitment to growing its charging network. Musk has emphasized the importance of accelerating Supercharger deployment, particularly in underserved regions. “We are making significant investments to ensure that our Supercharger network can meet the needs of all EV drivers, not just Tesla owners,” Musk stated earlier this year.