Tesla Abruptly Lays Off Entire 500-Person Supercharger Team

Elon Musk’s decision to lay off the majority of Tesla’s electric vehicle (EV) charging team has sent shockwaves through the industry, leaving carmakers who were depending on Tesla’s infrastructure for their new EVs blindsided. The move, which saw the layoff of nearly 500 employees, has left General Motors, Ford, and other automakers who had signed deals with Tesla in a state of uncertainty.

According to Reuters, these companies had plans to utilize Tesla’s 50,000+ global charging stations for their upcoming EV models. However, Musk’s decision to cut the team has left them questioning the future of the network and the impact it will have on their own EV production.

The laid-off team members themselves were reportedly in complete shock upon hearing the news. Internal emails obtained by The Information and Electrek revealed that Tesla CEO Elon Musk informed executives of the layoffs, which included key figures such as Rebecca Tinucci and Daniel Ho.

Despite the layoffs, Musk took to Twitter to reassure the public that Tesla still plans to grow the Supercharger network, albeit at a slower pace with a focus on 100% uptime and expansion of existing locations. Tesla is the largest recipient of federal EV charging grants under a bipartisan infrastructure law, receiving over $17 million in grants.

The demanding work culture at Tesla has also come under scrutiny in light of the recent layoffs, with employees speaking out about their dedication to the company. Musk himself has been known for his intense work ethic, often putting in 100-hour weeks.