TRENTON, NJ – Long before Elon Musk and President Donald Trump entered a public feud, and while it was still fashionable to protest Tesla dealerships and damage Cybertrucks, New Jersey made it clear who was in charge. Now, as tensions escalate between Musk and Trump, with Musk regaining some favor among left-leaning groups, it is too late to save his electric charging stations along the New Jersey Turnpike. The New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) is systematically phasing out 64 Tesla Supercharger stalls at rest stops, replacing them with universal electric vehicle (EV) chargers operated by Applegreen Electric. This transition, which began on June 6, has sparked significant debate among EV drivers and raised serious concerns about the state’s EV infrastructure strategy. This decision originates from a 2023 agreement between the NJTA and Applegreen, which oversees restaurants and travel marts at Turnpike rest areas. Applegreen was granted exclusive authority to install and operate EV chargers at all 21 service areas, effectively removing Tesla’s presence from the Turnpike.
The new chargers, compatible with all EV makes and models, are now operational at six rest stops: Vince Lombardi, Woodrow Wilson, Richard Stockton, James Fenimore Cooper, Joyce Kilmer, and Walt Whitman. Additional installations are scheduled for the Molly Pitcher rest stop in July and for the Clara Barton and John Fenwick rest stops by fall 2025. Tesla has expressed its disappointment, claiming it offered to co-locate its chargers alongside Applegreen’s and to upgrade existing stalls for non-Tesla EVs. The company argues that dismantling its reliable, high-uptime chargers will seriously undermine New Jersey’s goal of achieving 100% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035.
In a proactive move, Tesla has built 116 Supercharger stalls at off-Turnpike locations, such as Wawa stores, ensuring continued access for its customers. These sites are integrated into Tesla’s in-car Trip Planner for effortless navigation. This entire situation illustrates that the motivations extend beyond just environmental concerns; they reflect corporate profits and political agendas at play.
The NJTA’s plan to nearly triple the number of charging stations across the Turnpike and Garden State Parkway addresses important issues of range anxiety and supports the state’s burgeoning EV population, which reached 91,000 registered vehicles in 2022. The response to this transition has been mixed. Some see it as a vital step towards equitable access for all EV drivers, while others view it as a significant setback for dependable infrastructure. Moving forward, the NJTA faces mounting pressure to ensure that Applegreen’s chargers deliver performance and availability that rivals Tesla’s network, especially along one of the Northeast’s busiest highways. For now, EV drivers must navigate this new charging landscape or seek out nearby Tesla alternatives.
