More Bad News For Tesla, EV Charging Edition

The article discusses recent challenges and shifts in the U.S. electric vehicle (EV) charging landscape, highlighting setbacks for Tesla alongside emerging competitors. Early in the year, the Biden administration canceled federal funding for public EV charging stations, casting uncertainty over the EV sales environment. Tesla, long considered the industry leader with its proprietary Supercharger network, has faced brand reputation issues partly due to CEO Elon Musk’s controversial decisions, including significant staff changes in the charging division. Notably, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority replaced Tesla Superchargers at key service areas with Universal Open Access chargers from Dublin-based Applegreen Electric, signaling a shift away from Tesla’s exclusive network. Applegreen Electric is aggressively expanding its footprint in the U.S., securing contracts beyond New Jersey, including with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Despite federal funding cuts, several states had already secured funding before the cancellation, allowing Applegreen to win most contracts for new chargers along major highways like I-76. The article also notes Tesla’s missed opportunities in the electrification market, such as delays in launching electric trucks and neglecting the convenience store (c-store) segment, which integrates EV charging with traditional fuel stops and amenities. Applegreen’s parent company is capitalizing on this by installing EV chargers at numerous convenience and fuel stations across the Midwest, Northeast, and parts of the Southeast, positioning itself as a key player in the evolving EV infrastructure ecosystem.