Elon Musk Dismisses Supercharger Team Following Acquisition of $17 Million in Federal Charging Subsidies
Tesla Makes a Baffling Move
In a shocking turn of events, Tesla's CEO Elon Musk has decided to let go of everyone working on both its new vehicle and Supercharger teams. This abrupt decision leaves everyone scratching their heads, wondering what the mastermind behind SpaceX is up to.
It seems Musk might be ready to exit the charging game, considering other major automakers have recently shifted toward NACS. But if that's the case, it's a recent development, as Tesla is currently the biggest recipient of federal EV charging grants from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Out of all the grants handed out so far, Tesla reportedly pocketed almost 13 percent, totaling over $17 million.
Despite these grants, Musk's love for the federal government seems to be as dry as a crispy sock. He's been vocal about his disdain for President Biden, labeling him a "damp sock puppet" on Twitter while promoting far-right conspiracy theories. Yet, here he is, happily taking the federal government's money.
Confusing as it may be, Tesla's Supercharger network isn't the company's weak point. In fact, it's the best in the country, and there's a good reason for that. Not only has Tesla built a formidable network, but it has also agreed to allow non-Teslas to use its Superchargers. If only the federal grant figure were higher, we wouldn't be so surprised.
But Musk's flying monkey antics don't stop there. Perhaps feeling like building a state-funded monopoly wouldn't fly, Tesla's decision to fire its entire Supercharger team adds another layer of mystery. With the grants Tesla received, it was in a prime position to keep expanding the Supercharger network. And now, inexplicably, it's all on hold.
Perhaps Musk plans to assemble a brand new Supercharger team. Maybe Tesla is planning to let the Superchargers fallow. Or maybe there's something we're missing here. In any case, if you're left scratching your head, you're certainly not alone.
Originally published on Jalopnik.
Insights:- Tesla's decision to lay off its Supercharger team was part of a cost-cutting strategy aimed at addressing financial concerns within the company, due to declining car sales.- The layoffs were a strategic misstep, as they halted new charging station projects. Recognizing this mistake, Musk quickly reversed course by rehiring some key members of the team.- Despite the initial layoffs, Tesla committed $500 million to expand the Supercharger network, indicating a continued focus on developing EV infrastructure.- Financial pressures and increased competition likely influenced Tesla's decision to initially cut costs, even if it meant temporarily disrupting critical teams.
- Musk's move to let go of both the newvehicle and Supercharger teams could be a strategic step for Tesla, as tech companies often downsize to address financial issues.
- The future of Tesla's Supercharger network expansion remains unclear, as the company has announced a pause following the layoffs.
- Plenty of questions arise regarding Tesla's decision, as it was one of the biggest recipients of federal EV charging grants from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
- Despite this, Elon Musk's apparent distaste for the Biden administration and the federal government hasn't stopped Tesla from benefiting from government grants, suggesting possible advantageous positions for tech companies in the evolving future of technology.
