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It is not the end of the road for the Tesla’s Supercharger network in Australia, the US car giant told customers today – but it is unclear if work will ever start on new locations.
Construction of certain new Tesla Supercharger locations will continue in Australia amid reports the expansion of the fast-charging network has been halted – and the dismissal of the global team behind it.
In an email to local customers this afternoon seen by Drive, Tesla said “the Supercharger network will continue to be expanded” in Australia, and “projects currently in construction are continuing to be completed and put into operation.”
However – crucially – the US car giant does not say if future projects not already under construction, and only in the planning stages, will ever come to fruition.
MORE: New Tesla Superchargers in Australia scrapped – report
It follows a report from technology website EFTM earlier this week claiming a Victorian business preparing to add four Tesla Supercharger stations in its car park had been advised it would not go ahead.
This location was still in the planning stages, and ground had not been broken on the four charging stalls.
In the email to customers today, Tesla Australia said “Supercharger sites are continuing to be serviced and maintained by our team, with operational support being provided.
“The Supercharger network is still core to Tesla’s mission of accelerating the world’s transition to sustainable energy. Reducing costs and increasing efficiency are important for fulfilling our mission and remain a priority.
MORE: Tesla lays off Supercharger, new model launch teams – report
“Customer experience for charging continues to be a top priority for the Supercharger network and we continue to focus on the ease of charging, competitive pricing and investing in the charging experience holistically.”
Earlier this month, reports emerged that Tesla had laid off the team behind Superchargers – one of the world’s largest electric-car fast-charging networks, in operation for 14 years with more than 50,000 plugs globally.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said on X (formerly known as Twitter) hours after the overseas reports that Tesla “still plans to grow the Supercharger network.”
However, he said it would occur at “a slower pace for new locations” to place “more focus on 100 [per cent] uptime and expansion of existing locations.”
“[Supercharger] sites under construction will be completed and we will add additional Superchargers anywhere where there are gaps,” he said.
The CEO did not explicitly confirm the layoffs, but implied the report was accurate by unfollowing two X accounts run by passionate Tesla owners and shareholders, commenting “don’t post leaks of confidential information and expect me to follow.”
The latest information from Tesla Australia calls into doubt the long-term future of the Supercharger network – and if it will ever expand beyond charging locations already under construction.
The move to lay off the Supercharger team caught industry analysts by surprise, given the network is considered a key asset – and source of revenue – of the US car giant, particularly as it opens it up to electric cars from other brands globally.
In North America, most car makers have announced plans to adopt the bespoke charging plus used on US-market Teslas – called NACS – to streamline access to the Supercharger network.
Drive approached Tesla Australia for comment prior to reporting on the EFTM report on Monday, but a response has not been received since.
The US electric-car giant customarily does not respond to requests from comment from media, and the only public statements typically made by the company are those sent in emails to customers – such as the one discussed above – or in X posts by Elon Musk.
The post Tesla Supercharger construction to continue in Australia, but long-term expansion in doubt appeared first on Drive.
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