Tesla’s recent decision to downsize its electric vehicle (EV) charging team is sending ripples through the industry, potentially putting the brakes on the expansion of charging infrastructure. With plans in place to roll out new fast-charging stations, this move could throw a wrench into President Joe Biden’s ambitious efforts to electrify U.S. highways.
The Biden administration’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, aimed at expanding the country’s charging network with a $5 billion investment over five years, had Tesla as a key player. Being the leader in the EV market and operating the largest network of fast chargers in the U.S., Tesla’s involvement was pivotal to the success of the program.
However, news of Tesla’s sudden layoffs in its EV charging division has left a void in the infrastructure plans. Charging companies are now scrambling to fill the gap left by Tesla’s withdrawal, with landlords seeking new partners for their charging projects.
The fallout from Tesla’s layoffs is expected to delay the rollout of the NEVI program, as projects awarded to Tesla will need to be reassessed and potentially restarted. This setback could further exacerbate the already sluggish progress of the federal initiative, which has seen only a few federally funded charging stations become operational.
In response to the layoffs, Elon Musk stated that Tesla plans to continue growing its Supercharger network but at a slower pace, focusing more on improving existing locations. However, the implications of this decision remain unclear.
While Tesla’s change of plans may disrupt the EV industry, it could also create opportunities for other players. With most automakers adopting Tesla’s North American Charging Standard, there is potential for charging startups and recently laid-off Tesla employees to fill the void left by Tesla’s retrenchment.
Rivals such as EVgo are already looking to capitalize on this opportunity by reaching out to those affected by Tesla’s layoffs. As the industry adjusts to these developments, the future of EV charging infrastructure in the U.S. remains uncertain.
