Elon Musk Fires Tesla's Entire Supercharger Team

Wednesday, May 01, 2024

Elon Musk has shut down the division that runs Tesla's Supercharger business, dismissed two senior executives and fired hundreds more staff as the electric-car maker continues its restructuring amid a sharp downturn in the EV market.

Posted by Corky at 12:30 PM | 69 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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Patrick George, the editor of InsideEVs.com, does a good job of explaining what this inexplicable move means to America's EV industry. "That's why it's so hard to figure out the logic behind these recent massive cuts to the Supercharger team, right as Tesla seemed poised to become even more of a charging superpower than ever before," George writes.

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"Musk announced internally on Monday that the head of the superchargers group, Rebecca Tinucci, and Daniel Ho, head of new products, would be leaving along with their entire teams. About 500 people were in the supercharger group, the memo said.

The entire public policy unit will also be disbanded following the departure of its leader, Rohan Patel, in the middle of April.

"Hopefully these actions are making it clear that we need to be absolutely hard core about headcount and cost reduction," Musk wrote in the memo, which was first reported by The Information. "While some execstaff are taking this seriously, most are not yet doing so."

Any manager "who retains more than three people who don't obviously pass the excellent, necessary and trustworthy test" should resign, he added."

He stole Trump's Loyalty Test!

#1 | Posted by Corky at 2024-04-30 04:22 PM | Reply

They fired Tinucci. Jfc.

#2 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-04-30 06:06 PM | Reply

Also, Tesla Autopilot linked to 200 crashes and 29 deaths from lack of driver attention.

#3 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-04-30 06:10 PM | Reply

Slightly off subject but you would think that electric utility companies would try to make a role for itself by facilitating the expansion of EV charging stations. Theoretically, every pole is an electric charging station. Perhaps if they partnered with a company like WiTricity, they could make EV Charging ubiquitous.

witricity.com

#4 | Posted by FedUpWithPols at 2024-05-01 01:02 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Obligatory

www.youtube.com

#5 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2024-05-01 01:10 PM | Reply

Cutting costs by firing everybody ...Genius!

#6 | Posted by moder8 at 2024-05-01 01:42 PM | Reply

"sharp downturn in the EV market"

It should say a slowdown in growth of the EV market. At this point, there will still be more EV's sold this year than last. A "sharp downturn in the EV market" would imply that there will be fewer sales than last year.

I do have to ask though.. Who in their right mind would own Tesla stock right now?

#7 | Posted by Whatsleft at 2024-05-01 02:00 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

I considered one of their cars a couple of years ago. I'm so very glad I didn't buy one.

#8 | Posted by qcp at 2024-05-01 02:00 PM | Reply

Also, am I the only one starting to notice more and more Teslas broken down on the side of the freeway? It used to be that I never saw a broken down Tesla.

#9 | Posted by moder8 at 2024-05-01 02:03 PM | Reply

Musk is living in a megalomaniacs alternate reality

#10 | Posted by AMERICANUNITY at 2024-05-01 02:05 PM | Reply

Another view...

Musk Undercuts Tesla Chargers Biden Had Lauded as a Big Deal'
www.bnnbloomberg.ca

... Elon Musk has upended a deal the White House saluted early last year to open Tesla Inc.'s electric-vehicle chargers to other automakers, dealing a blow to President Joe Biden's EV agenda.

Musk decided in the last week to eliminate almost the entire Supercharger team at Tesla, a person familiar with the matter told Bloomberg News on Tuesday. The CEO hasn't publicly confirmed the move or offered a rationale, but has said the company will slow the expansion of its charging network.

In addition to potentially compromising budding partnerships with other carmakers looking to tap Tesla's chargers, another consequence of Musk's move may be undercutting Biden's EV push in the midst of his reelection campaign. Presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump has repeatedly attacked electric cars on the campaign trail and predicted a "bloodbath" for the auto industry if he isn't elected. ...

#11 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-05-01 02:09 PM | Reply

Theoretically. Practically, you're talking about building in utility easements. What Charging Stations really are is a real-estate venture. The charging business is secondary to owning the property and there's usually much higher return businesses to put on those.

#12 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-05-01 06:01 PM | Reply

The best charging locations have gas stations on them, but they're volume businesses and don't want you parking there for an hour.

#13 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-05-01 06:02 PM | Reply

@#12 ... The charging business is secondary to owning the property ...

Owning, or leasing.

For example, leasing a part of a motel's parking lot to build a charging station.

Location, location, location.

#14 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-05-01 07:17 PM | Reply

@#13 ... The best charging locations have gas stations on them ...

I'm not yet convinced of that.

When I go to a gas station, I can fill up and be on my way in a few minutes.

Charging stations are a different experience.

You're hooked up to the "refill process" for a long time.

So, the ~in and out quickly~ locations of gas stations may not be suitable for the ~park and wait~ locations needed for EV recharging.

#15 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-05-01 07:21 PM | Reply

EVs don't seem like a good idea unless you are a home owner with the ability to charge it overnight. You could charge it at work if you're lucky but you can't bank on that.

#16 | Posted by snoofy at 2024-05-01 07:35 PM | Reply

@#16 ... EVs don't seem like a good idea unless you are a home owner with the ability to charge it overnight. ...

I'd also add...

What percentage of the trips in an EVs require batteries capable of hundreds of miles before recharging?

My car is used mostly for trips around town. Even when I commuted, the mileage was less than 100 miles a day, actually less than 50 miles a day).

So why does an EV need to drag those heavy batteries around, batteries that can go for hundreds of miles that I'll not need them for?

That's why I'm leaning towards a hybrid for my next car.

Batteries good for around town, but a back-up plan for longer trips.

#17 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-05-01 07:48 PM | Reply

"So why does an EV need to drag those heavy batteries around, batteries that can go for hundreds of miles that I'll not need them for?"

Same reason a hybrid carries a small engine and electric motor that probably weighs about the same.

Why does any car carry around a couch in the back that hardly ever gets used?

You're cherry picking your objections.

#18 | Posted by snoofy at 2024-05-01 07:56 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

@#18 ... Same reason a hybrid carries a small engine and electric motor that probably weighs about the same. ...

Does it?

The hybrids seem to be so much smaller than the EVs.

And I can "recharge" the hybrid engine in minutes, not requiring an overnight stay.

Let me ask this differently, when I travel 700+ miles in a day to visit familty, want to pull into a rest area, gas up in minutes, and continue on my way.

I do not want to be a long-term ~visitor~ of that rest area in order to charge batteries.

#19 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-05-01 08:03 PM | Reply

------ mooch.

www.politico.com

Biden should have known better.

#20 | Posted by horstngraben at 2024-05-01 08:08 PM | Reply

#15 | POSTED BY LAMPLIGHTER

If you do any long distance travelling you'll see charging stations at gas stations, this is because conveniently located near highway. They don't care if you hang out and spend money.

Snoofy is also correct having home charging is really needed to own an EV.

EV is great as you stated for around town, locally the best charging is at your house.

I own a hybrid, it's wonderful, but am considering an EV with home solar, with gas prices rising the way they are.

But I'd keep my truck.

#21 | Posted by oneironaut at 2024-05-01 08:09 PM | Reply

@#21 ... They don't care if you hang out and spend money. ...

That's one point I proffer.

When I refill my gas tank, I do not need to "hang out."

The EV industry needs to reduce the recharge times for EVs. Significantly.

#22 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-05-01 08:20 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

"when I travel 700+ miles in a day"

When you travel 700 miles, which is like 12 hours, there will be a point where you're going to stop for 30 minutes, and that is when you recharge the batteries and get something to eat.

#23 | Posted by snoofy at 2024-05-01 08:43 PM | Reply

@#23 ... there will be a point where you're going to stop for 30 minutes ...

Really?

I didn't.

And with the 70mph+ speed limits, it was 10 hours or less, not 12.

There was one stop to fill the gas tank, which takes a couple three minutes.

How Long Does It Take to Charge a Tesla? (2023)
www.motortrend.com

... Summary: How Long Does It Take to Charge a Tesla?

- - - Tesla Superchargers are the quickest way to charge a Tesla, adding up to 200 miles in 15 minutes.

- - - At a Supercharger, a full charge typically takes about an hour. ...

#24 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-05-01 08:54 PM | Reply

How did you pee?

How did you get 700 miles on one tank?

#25 | Posted by snoofy at 2024-05-01 08:57 PM | Reply

Regardless, it's not unreasonable to budget another hour into your ten hour trip.

#26 | Posted by snoofy at 2024-05-01 08:58 PM | Reply

#12
Witricity is promoting wireless EV charging. If this technology were applied to utility poles, on street parking could be the site of EV charging stations; no real estate investment required. This could be especially important for apartment dwellers. Parking lots of businesses, apartment complexes, etc could be set up as charging stations. Of course, the practicality of such solutions depend on the range of the wireless charger.

#27 | Posted by FedUpWithPols at 2024-05-01 09:00 PM | Reply

That's just not healthy.

Drink water. Stop to pee. Walk around.

#28 | Posted by horstngraben at 2024-05-01 09:05 PM | Reply

@#25 ... How did you get 700 miles on one tank? ...

400 miles per tank. With a stop for a few minutes to refill the tank, and to pee.

Do try to pay attention. :)

#29 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-05-01 09:14 PM | Reply

@#28 ... Drink water. Stop to pee. Walk around. ...

I did all that.

What I didn't do was wait, twiddling my thumbs, waiting for batteries to charge.

And, I'll go back to my original point on this thread, why does my car have to lug around batteries capable of 300 or 400 miles when I go to the store a couple miles from my house?

Are EVs over-designed for the corner cases?

#30 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-05-01 09:17 PM | Reply

#27 | POSTED BY FEDUPWITHPOLS

Non-starter. Any charging rate worth it would produce too much heat and suffer too many losses.

Swap wireless with standard width charging pads and its a maybe.

Unless, maybe, there's a standard method of lowering the charging coil onto the ground like a truck's spare tire winch.

I'm personally hoping aptera.us comes to market. Not the solution for everyone but it suits my daily needs very well. 40 miles per day average charge from the sun where I live with a 500 mile per hour charge rate.

#31 | Posted by IndianaJones at 2024-05-01 09:23 PM | Reply

What I didn't do was wait, twiddling my thumbs

I go check out the gift shops, maybe pick up some tourist stuff. Grab a bite.

I used to hurry up and go, just so I could get to the motel a little earlier.

#32 | Posted by horstngraben at 2024-05-01 09:29 PM | Reply

And there are a variety of ev options, including compact cars. Just look around.

It's dumb when people argue against ev because it isn't ideal for every situation. No vehicle is ideal for every situation.

#33 | Posted by horstngraben at 2024-05-01 09:32 PM | Reply

And further, no source of power is ideal for all situations.

It seems you get the off, you just don't get the trade.

#34 | Posted by horstngraben at 2024-05-01 09:36 PM | Reply

@#32 ... I go check out the gift shops, maybe pick up some tourist stuff. Grab a bite. ...

Yeah, i do not change my travel plans to accommodate poor vehicle designs.

#35 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-05-01 09:38 PM | Reply

@#33 ... It's dumb when people argue against ev because it isn't ideal for every situation. No vehicle is ideal for every situation. ...

I agree. 100%

That's why my next car may be a hybrid.

#36 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-05-01 09:39 PM | Reply

poor vehicle designs.

In a way, I suppose. But it's not about the car, it's about taking time to stretch the legs, get the blood moving a bit better, and stimulate the brain. Throw in lunch, it's an easy hour.

That's lunch on most days. But I work on a computer, so no mobility there. Some of my colleagues have treadmills at there desks, which is annoying during meetings because they're head is bobbing up and down the whole time.

#37 | Posted by horstngraben at 2024-05-01 09:54 PM | Reply

It's a mile to the grocery store. I walk there. I mostly have a car because work requires it. Though once you own a car outright, there's not much point in getting rid of it.

#38 | Posted by snoofy at 2024-05-01 10:00 PM | Reply

Are EVs over-designed for the corner cases?

Do they not make short range EVs with smaller batteries? I really have no idea but it would make sense.

An EV would not work for me... most trips are too far, and too many hills. I would like to try one out some day just to see what they drive like.

#39 | Posted by REDIAL at 2024-05-01 10:01 PM | Reply

"Do they not make short range EVs with smaller batteries?"

Nissan Leaf. Not sure if they still make those.

#40 | Posted by snoofy at 2024-05-01 10:02 PM | Reply

@#37 ... But it's not about the car, it's about taking time to stretch the legs, ...

For me, it is about getting where I want to go.

That is the whole purpose of transportation, no?

#41 | Posted by lamplighter at 2024-05-01 10:06 PM | Reply

Nissan Leaf. Not sure if they still make those.

#40 | POSTED BY SNOOFY

The range was too short.

Needed something between that and a Tesla.

#42 | Posted by oneironaut at 2024-05-01 10:08 PM | Reply

When I refill my gas tank, I do not need to "hang out."
The EV industry needs to reduce the recharge times for EVs. Significantly.
#22 | POSTED BY LAMPLIGHTER

Depends are you on a road trip?

Even in a ICE I like to stop with the family at rest stops.

#43 | Posted by oneironaut at 2024-05-01 10:13 PM | Reply

Regardless, it's not unreasonable to budget another hour into your ten hour trip.
#26 | POSTED BY SNOOFY

Especially when traveling with other people.

By myself, ok... But with others it's a journey.

#44 | Posted by oneironaut at 2024-05-01 10:16 PM | Reply

It's dumb when people argue against ev because it isn't ideal for every situation. No vehicle is ideal for every situation
- Horse

This is why I own a Prius and a F-250 diesel.

You ever see an Asian guy with a 2093 F-250 7.3L? I haven't, my friends think I am crazy, I love it.

Wife drives a mini van, fastest vehicle I own

#45 | Posted by oneironaut at 2024-05-01 10:19 PM | Reply

Nissan Leaf. Not sure if they still make those.

Looks like it. Nissan site shows 2025 models.

#46 | Posted by REDIAL at 2024-05-01 10:43 PM | Reply

The first gen Leaf had like a 69 mile range or something. You should be able to find one for cheap, if you can find one.

#47 | Posted by snoofy at 2024-05-01 10:46 PM | Reply

And, I'll go back to my original point on this thread, why does my car have to lug around batteries capable of 300 or 400 miles when I go to the store a couple miles from my house?

It's so weird that you don't understand this. The answer is "because gas powered cars can." Initial EV models have been criticized primarily for their range. Americans need every possible inconvenience or source of anxiety purged from their existence, so a car that can only go 100 miles before needing a charge is not even part of the conversation. You just get a moped or something for that.

#48 | Posted by JOE at 2024-05-01 11:07 PM | Reply

What Joe said. Because that's how it's built.

"car have to lug around batteries capable of 300 or 400 miles when I go to the store a couple miles"

What's the alternative

Were you hoping you might take 380 miles of batteries out, and get a bit more efficiency from the platform?

A Tesla battery weighs about 1000lb. So your car would be maybe 25% lighter and theoretically 25% more efficient.

25% less efficiency than theoretical maximum, on grocery store runs, when you're already tripling a comparable car efficiency, isn't isn't the show stopper you're making it out to be.

#49 | Posted by snoofy at 2024-05-01 11:21 PM | Reply

@#48 ... It's so weird that you don't understand this. The answer is "because gas powered cars can." Initial EV models have been criticized primarily for their range. ...

Or... maybe I do understand it.

The EV makers focused upon one, just one, aspect of driving --- range.

As a result, we now have EVs that have to lug around overweight (for the task) batteries so I can go shopping.

So, the answer seems to be, buy an EV with smaller batteries, and when you travel, enjoy twiddling your thumbs whilst you wait for your EV to charge.

That does not work for me.

#50 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-05-01 11:22 PM | Reply

If cars were EV and ICE was new, you'd find a reason to think gasoline cars are bad. Reliability and maintenance cost for example. I have to change the oil how often? I'm going to warm the planet more, while being be less energy efficient?

#51 | Posted by snoofy at 2024-05-02 12:06 AM | Reply

@#51 ... you'd find a reason to think gasoline cars are bad. ...

An unsubstantiated hypothetical.

You're usually better than that.

#52 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-05-02 12:31 AM | Reply

I'd like to see them exploring turning the asphalt on highways into Qi chargers. The car charges as you drive along the road. Now that would be awesome and make owning an EV amazing.

#53 | Posted by ABH at 2024-05-02 04:50 AM | Reply

Charging stations are a different experience.

#15 | POSTED BY LAMPLIGHTER AT 2024-05-01 07:21 PM | REPLY

They're not supposed to be. EV rapid charging is a 10 minute stop.

#54 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-05-02 09:35 AM | Reply

A Tesla battery weighs about 1000lb.*

#49 | POSTED BY SNOOFY AT 2024-05-01 11:21 PM | FLAG:

The shortest range Model 3 battery. The Model Y battery clocks in at a heftier 1700 lbs. On the more extreme end, the Hummer EV is 2,818 pounds.

#55 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-05-02 09:36 AM | Reply

Or... maybe I do understand it.
The EV makers focused upon one, just one, aspect of driving --- range.
As a result, we now have EVs that have to lug around overweight (for the task) batteries so I can go shopping.
So, the answer seems to be, buy an EV with smaller batteries, and when you travel, enjoy twiddling your thumbs whilst you wait for your EV to charge.
That does not work for me.

#50 | POSTED BY LAMPLIGHTER AT 2024-05-01 11:22 PM | FLAG:

The Mini Cooper SE has a 114 mile range. The Leaf S is 149 miles.

Short range EVs exist. People do not want them in the US and there are no horsepower taxes to punitively push the masses away from long range EVs.

#56 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-05-02 09:42 AM | Reply

"turning the asphalt on highways into Qi chargers."

Free power to the homeless.

I kinda can't believe you of all people want to give free power to the homeless.

#57 | Posted by snoofy at 2024-05-02 09:57 AM | Reply

"The EV makers focused upon one, just one, aspect of driving --- range."

Tesla also focused on going really fast. And the market is trending is towards making EVs luxury items. So that's two things that aren't range. Speed, and being a status symbol.

Range is simply the most obvious deficiency, along with refueling time.

Since we can't see how much we're actually warming the globe, it's pretty hard to sell that.

#58 | Posted by snoofy at 2024-05-02 10:01 AM | Reply

Sort of. They didn't focus on speed. They focused on acceleration, which is worse than focusing on speed but more appealing to consumers. Porsche focused on speed with the Taycan, hence the 2 speed transmission. Brushless motors without transmissions are not the kings of speeds, they're RPM limited.

#59 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-05-02 10:17 AM | Reply

They definitely don't focus on pure performance, except for the high end vehicles like a Taycan, or the company Rimac and other exotic 2000hp cars. Mostly they can't stop worth a damn though. 0 to 100 to 0 is the actual measure of sports car performance, and Tesla and other heavy EV are known to be bad with stopping distances.

#60 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-05-02 10:19 AM | Reply

Snoofy, I'm much more liberal than you give me credit for. I consider myself a moderate, but I know I'm a hardliner against Hamas. Much of that is from them trying to kill Me in Gaza in 2009. I shouldn't take it personally, they weren't targeting me specifically, but the effect is the same. And I shouldn't been such a whiner about it.

But, I'm also pro student loan repayment, pro increasing the hell out of taxes on the rich and lowering the taxes to the poor and middle class, generally green ... I even just bought a hybrid so you know I'm a serious greenie ... .

But seriously though. I'm not a hard core conservative by any stretch. I'm fervently issue specific with my politics.

#61 | Posted by ABH at 2024-05-02 12:58 PM | Reply

Not student loan repayment ... forgiveness is the right word. Repayment would indicate I'm shadier the government forgiving them. I'm not. I'm all for it.

#62 | Posted by ABH at 2024-05-02 01:07 PM | Reply

Vlad's the genius... finding a way to divide libs over the middle east when their own country is burning under the threat of a coming Fascist President.

Credit where credit is due.

#63 | Posted by Corky at 2024-05-02 01:07 PM | Reply

You can blame Vlad if it makes you comfy, but the real issue is Brandon is stuck trying to appeal to both sides. He's definitely going to lose this one, this is the straw right here. And no, legal weed isn't going to help. The Bernie Bros are ffkin broke and they know why.

#64 | Posted by lfthndthrds at 2024-05-02 10:55 PM | Reply

The solution is simple. Modular batteries that are charged at gas stations and exchanged. Quick and easy.

#65 | Posted by bus_driver at 2024-05-02 11:34 PM | Reply

#65 | Posted by bus_driver at 2024-05-02 11:34 PM | Reply | Flag

Likely a good ways off. Sitz would know better than me but I'm pretty sure batteries have a average number of recharges prior to being junk. Doesn't seem like it'd work like trading out your propane bottle.

#66 | Posted by lfthndthrds at 2024-05-02 11:41 PM | Reply

It's so far from simple. It SOUNDS simple, and you can gimmick a presentation enough to fool politicians and get paid for it. They don't exist because the economics and logistics are insane.

With a lipo battery it's more about the age of the battery chemistry than cycle count. You can put a lot of cycles on in the early days with minimal long term damage as long as you charge at 1C (1 hour), but as you pass the 7 year mark the degradation ramps significantly, capacity drops, and charging cycles accelerate the decay. Fast charging murders lipo battery chemistry. Giant lipo cars are Elon Musk suckering enough people into a solution to a problem that was being addressed by far more competent organizations.

#67 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-05-03 08:20 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Battery Swap was Elon Musk suckering enough California politicians to scam them out of state funds for a project they never had any intention of making.

#68 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-05-03 08:20 AM | Reply

Thanks for the clarification.

#69 | Posted by lfthndthrds at 2024-05-03 09:17 AM | Reply