Inside Tesla's Supercharger Shake-Up
Here are some possible explanations I have for the recent reorganization in Telsa's supercharging team.
Introduction
Tesla’s recent wave of layoffs, which saw senior executives and long-serving employees exit the company, has sparked questions and speculation about the electric car giant’s strategic direction. Following previous cuts affecting over 10% of its global workforce, this latest round notably included the entire supercharging team and the executive responsible for negotiating NACS adoptions across the industry. These moves have left many wondering about Elon Musk’s rationale for such decisions, particularly at a time when the need for more supercharging stations seems apparent and legacy automakers are committing to the NACS standard. I have some theories on why Tesla made this drastic decision.
Potential Shift to Inductive Charging
One possible explanation is a strategic pivot towards inductive charging technology, especially considering Tesla’s acquisition of wireless charging company Wiferion in 2023. While the flip of Wiferion later that year may suggest an acqui-hire scenario, Tesla might have made significant progress in advancing this technology in recent months, making it commercially viable. This shift aligns with Tesla’s broader goal of developing robotaxis, where wireless charging could eliminate the need for human intervention in charging operations.
Reevaluation of Supercharger Expansion Plans
Moreover, Tesla’s decision to open its supercharger network to non-Tesla EVs earlier this year, seemingly to qualify for federal funds, hasn’t yielded the expected surge in EV adoption among legacy automakers. This, coupled with concerns about maintaining uptime and servicing superchargers amidst increased demand from non-Tesla EVs, may have prompted Tesla to reassess its supercharging expansion plans. Instead, the company could be doubling down on robotaxi development, reimagining charging infrastructure for a driverless future.
Elon Musk's Leadership Style
Elon Musk’s history of workforce shakeups, such as the significant cuts to the autopilot team in 2022, further suggests a fondness for fresh perspectives and employees who are eager to prove themselves. Despite Tesla’s dominance in supercharging market share and reliability, evidenced by its 45,000 worldwide superchargers (12,000 in the US), Musk may believe that a new approach is necessary to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle landscape.
Conclusion
The lingering question remains, has Tesla yielded its charging crown, and if so, which contender will rise to claim it? As Tesla navigates these strategic shifts, the electric vehicle industry eagerly awaits the next chapter in the charging infrastructure saga.