The New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) has sparked outrage among electric vehicle drivers by ordering Tesla to decommission 64 Supercharger stalls along the state’s busiest highway. Despite Tesla’s offer to expand and upgrade its charging infrastructure, NJTA has awarded an exclusive contract to a single unnamed charging provider, forcing the shutdown of Tesla’s widely used Superchargers at service plazas throughout the route.
On May 30, @TeslaCharging revealed that NJTA’s decision prohibits Tesla from continuing to operate or co-locate on the Turnpike. This move comes despite Tesla’s offer of above-market commercial terms and the proposal to install its next-generation “Magic Dock” hardware, allowing both Tesla and non-Tesla vehicles to charge. Additionally, Tesla offered to fully upgrade Turnpike locations with screens, faster hardware, and broader compatibility with the national charging standard.
Tesla’s Superchargers at service plazas currently boast a 99.9% uptime and less than 1% congestion, unmatched numbers in the EV industry. However, NJTA’s decision to shut the door on Tesla has left the EV leader in a challenging position.
“This removes Turnpike access to the most reliable, least congested, and most cost-effective charging in the state,” Tesla stated. The company expressed disappointment in NJTA’s decision, which goes against New Jersey’s own climate goals of achieving 100% zero-emission new car sales by 2035.
Tesla has been preparing for this potential roadblock for three years by opening 116 new Supercharger stalls off Turnpike exits to minimize disruption for drivers. Despite these efforts, the exclusivity enforced by NJTA represents a significant shift away from consumer choice and may raise questions about transparency in public contracting.
CEO Elon Musk responded to the news by suggesting potential corruption behind NJTA’s decision. Tesla remains open to investing in Turnpike locations if NJTA or Governor Phil Murphy reverse course. In the meantime, Tesla drivers will have to rely on off-ramp Superchargers, which, while convenient, do not provide the same level of access as service plaza Superchargers.
NJTA’s decision to remove critical charging infrastructure is seen as a setback for New Jersey’s EV adoption goals. Tesla’s commitment to sustainable transportation remains unwavering, and the company hopes for a reconsideration of the decision to allow Tesla to continue serving drivers along the Turnpike.