The New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) has made the decision to not renew their contract with Tesla which will remove 64 Supercharger stalls from service areas along the New Jersey Turnpike. The NJTA has since awarded an exclusive contract to Applegreen Electric to install Universal Open Access EV chargers for all electric vehicles. Crews will begin installing chargers at several service areas on June 6, 2025 (including Vince Lombardi and Joyce Kilmer) and will be completed within all 21 service areas by April 2033.
Tesla's Response and Mitigation Efforts
Anticipating the possibility of not renewing its contract, Tesla has proactively installed 116 Supercharger stalls off the Turnpike over the past three years. These alternative locations are integrated into Tesla's in-car Trip Planner, ensuring that drivers can access charging stations without significant detours . Tesla emphasized that its Superchargers offer 99.9% uptime, less than 1% wait times, and approximately 30% lower costs per kilowatt-hour compared to alternatives.
Effects on EV Drivers and Infrastructure
The lack of Tesla Superchargers along the Turnpike might cause issues for EV drivers. Tesla's Superchargers are reliable and quick. How Applegreen's chargers will perform is uncertain. Some drivers are anxious about the possibility of longer wait times or a higher cost for the new charging infrastructure.
Political and Strategic Implications
The NJTA's decision has generated speculation about potential political implications. Some critics are speculating that the NJTA's decision is a political response to Elon Musk for his support of former President Donald Trump and his fiscal overhaul. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, has called the decision "corruption." Musk did not provide any evidence to support his conclusion of corruption.
Future of EV Charging in New Jersey
With New Jersey attempting to achieve 100% zero-emission new car sales by 2035, it becomes imperative to ensure the availability and reliability of EV charging infrastructure. Tesla has pledge to invest in Turnpike sites if the NJTA or Gov. Phil Murphy re-evaluate their current stance . The impact of this transition will be followed carefully by industry stakeholders and EV drivers alike.
Conclusion
The removal of Tesla's Superchargers from the New Jersey Turnpike represents a significant move away from their established EV infrastructure strategy, revealing not only practical steps but also political upheaval and market motivation. While NJTA wants universal chargers in order to open up the access, Tesla owners are still upset about losing one of the most reliable and cheapest networks on one of the busiest highways in the country.
The decision to remove the Superchargers has opened up debates about access, preference, and the future of fast charging in the U.S. Ultimately, the success of this project will be determined by whether Applegreen Electric is able to provide more uptime, as good of pricing, and better user experience than Tesla. Either way, until that is determined, this is one more gamble that, even with testing from Applegreen Electric, holds real responsibility for tens-of-thousands of EV drivers that pass through New Jersey each day.
Source(Image / Thumbnail): fastcompany
