If some investors feared that Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter, now X, would handicap the development of Tesla, the businessman did not forget – or rather spared – the electric car manufacturer. In recent weeks, Elon Musk has been much more present internally and has notably launched a layoff plan affecting more than 10% of the company’s employees.
This wave of layoffs continues and it is this time within the Superchargers charging network department that Elon Musk has applied his very controversial methods. Led by Rebecca Tinucci, the team of around 500 people in charge of Superchargers has reportedly been made redundant.
According to two sources cited by ElectrekRebecca Tinucci reportedly fought against pressure from Elon Musk to limit layoffs in his team, but he then decided to fire her and her entire department as an example.
In an email to Tesla executives, Elon Musk explains that“Hopefully these actions make it clear that we must be absolutely uncompromising on cutting staff and costs. While some in the executive branch are taking this seriously, most are not yet doing so.”reports Electrek.
Remember that the Supercharger network is often cited as one of Tesla’s greatest successes. Rebecca Tinucci was also ranked second most influential personality in the automobile industry during the year 2023 by MotorTrendfar ahead of Elon Musk placed in fiftieth position.
Slowdown in growth of the Supercharger station network to be expected
In this logic of reducing expenses, measures affecting the Supercharger network were taken immediately. Leases for new charging stations in the United States have notably been canceled by Tesla, reports Electrek.
Elon Musk later clarified the situation, explaining that “Tesla still plans to expand the Supercharger network, but at a slower pace for new locations”. The brand prefers to prioritize the extension of existing charging stations.
This decision was very badly received by some Tesla owners, who fear that the crowds at the currently existing stations will become too large. Remember that the brand’s sales exploded in 2023 and that the Supercharger network is now partly open to electric cars from other manufacturers.
Tesla has managed to impose its NACS charging standard in North America, which should make the number of vehicles compatible with Superchargers much greater in the years to come. In France, almost all Superchargers present in the territory have just been opened to electric vehicles from other manufacturers.