Home » Business News • US business news • US Employment News » Tesla Fires Supercharger Team As Cost-Cutting Continues

Tesla Fires Supercharger Team As Cost-Cutting Continues

By Nithya Bose in Business News, posted May 2, 2024

Tesla has terminated its entire Supercharger division, employees who have left the team said.

The move is part of broader cost-cutting measures at the company, which CEO Elon Musk hinted at earlier this year.

The Tesla Supercharger network consists of over 50,000 fast-charging stations worldwide, making it the largest network for electric vehicles.

Tesla has faced increased competition from more affordable rivals.

It prompted Musk to announce plans to cut one in ten jobs and focus on cost reductions.

In a memo, Musk said there is a need to be "absolutely hard core" about cost reduction.

William Jameson, former strategic charging programs lead at Tesla, announced his departure on social media.

He said the entire charging organization had been let go.

"What a wild ride it has been," he wrote.

Musk later said the Supercharger network's expansion would continue but slower for new locations.

This decision has sparked concerns among industry experts.

Elon Musk said there is a need to be "absolutely hard core" about cost reduction

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, noted Tesla's move could affect consumer confidence in electric vehicles.

He said: "If manufacturers are reining back their ambitions then it means drivers might think twice about going electric or at least delay a purchase until they see more positive news."

Need Career Advice? Get employment skills advice at all levels of your career

Andres Pinter, CEO of Bullet EV Charging Solutions, said his team "woke up to a sharp kick in the pants this morning."

He said Musk could "reconstitute the EV charger team in bigger, badder, more Muskian way" to continue to benefit from US government funding to develop the network.

Tesla's Supercharger network has been widely regarded as industry-leading, and recent agreements with rival automakers in North America have enabled other brands to use Tesla's "NACS" charging standard.

The layoffs also coincide with Tesla's first quarterly revenue decline since 2021, following reduced sales and an investigation into the safety of its Autopilot system.

Additionally, the Financial Times reported Tesla's entire public policy unit would be cut.

Follow us on YouTube, X, LinkedIn, and Facebook