Tesla has implemented further layoffs, targeting its electric vehicle (EV) charging team. This move follows the announcement of job cuts affecting over 10% of the company’s workforce. The latest round of layoffs has impacted senior executives, including Rebecca Tinucci, Senior Director of EV Charging, and Daniel Ho, Head of New Vehicles, according to The Information. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, emphasized the need for rigorous cost reductions and staff evaluations in an email to executives, instructing them to terminate employees who fail to meet the standards of excellence and necessity. Tesla’s Supercharger network has been a key competitive advantage, offering widespread availability, high uptime, and the North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector technology, which has gained widespread adoption among major automakers. Will Jameson, a charging team lead who was let go, expressed his concerns on Musk’s social media platform X, questioning the implications for the charging network, NACS, and industry collaborations. Musk indicated in the email that Tesla will prioritize completing ongoing Supercharger construction projects but scale back its expansion plans. Additionally, Tesla is disbanding its public policy team, led by former Vice President Rohan Patel, who recently departed the company. This team was instrumental in securing funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and pursuing a federal grant for an EV charging corridor for Tesla’s electric semi-truck. These cuts align with Tesla’s ongoing restructuring and focus on accelerating its autonomous driving capabilities, despite facing challenges in the first quarter with declining EV sales and a 55% drop in profits.
Tesla Cuts Charging Team Amidst Leadership Shuffle and Cost Reduction Measures
