In a shocking turn of events, Tesla has reportedly fired its entire Supercharger division, according to staff who worked in the team. This decision comes as a surprise to many, as Tesla’s Supercharger network is considered the largest fast-charging network for electric vehicles globally, with over 50,000 Superchargers in operation.
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, announced that the company would be cutting one in ten jobs as it faces tough competition from more affordable rivals. In a memo first reported by The Information, Musk emphasized the need for “absolutely hard core” cost reduction measures.
Multiple employees have confirmed their departures online, with William Jameson, a strategic charging programs lead at Tesla, revealing on Twitter that Musk had “let our entire charging org go.” Musk himself stated on social media that while the company still plans to grow the Supercharger network, it will do so at a slower pace for new locations.
Industry watchers and experts have expressed surprise at the decision, as Tesla’s Supercharger network is widely regarded as industry-leading. Fred Lambert, editor-in-chief of electric vehicle news website Electrek, expressed being “extremely perplexed” by the move, highlighting the success of Tesla’s charging network.
The layoffs in the Supercharger division come shortly after Tesla reported its first quarterly revenue decline since 2021. In addition to the cuts in the Supercharger department, the firm’s entire public policy unit is also reportedly being eliminated, as reported by the Financial Times. This news has raised concerns about the future of Tesla’s charging infrastructure and its ability to maintain its competitive edge in the electric vehicle market.