The New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) has opted to replace Tesla‘s 64 existing Supercharger stalls along the New Jersey Turnpike with a sole third-party charging provider, a decision that has stirred controversy among electric vehicle (EV) drivers. Announced on May 30, 2025, by Tesla Charging, this move aims to streamline charging operations but raises concerns about reliability and accessibility as New Jersey pushes for 100% zero-emission new car sales by 2035.

Tesla’s Supercharger Network Faces Removal

Tesla’s 64 Supercharger stalls, previously installed at key service areas like Molly Pitcher and Joyce Kilmer, will be decommissioned following the NJTA’s decision to not renew Tesla’s contract. Instead, the NJTA has chosen a single third-party provider to manage all charging infrastructure along the Turnpike, denying Tesla’s request to co-locate. Tesla had anticipated this possibility, spending three years building 116 replacement stalls off the Turnpike to ensure uninterrupted service for its customers. These new sites, including 40 stalls at James Fenimore Cooper Service Plaza and 16 at John Fenwick Service Area, are already operational, with Tesla’s Trip Planner adjusting routes accordingly.

Tesla offered the NJTA competitive terms, including plans to build Superchargers at all Turnpike service plazas with upgraded equipment like larger screens and NACS with CCS1 “magic docks” for broader EV compatibility. Despite this, the NJTA proceeded with its sole-provider strategy, a move Tesla claims undermines the state’s EV adoption goals by removing critical infrastructure rather than expanding it.

Impact on EV Drivers and Adoption Goals

The removal of Tesla’s Superchargers, which boasted 99.9% uptime, less than 1% wait times during peak hours, and 30% lower charging costs per kilowatt-hour, could disrupt the driving experience for EV owners on the Turnpike—a 122-mile corridor handling over 250 million vehicles annually. Tesla emphasized the need for significantly more charging capacity, stating, “We expect that ~30 times more fast-charging capacity is needed to get to full EV adoption.” The decision to reduce, rather than increase, charging options may hinder New Jersey’s target of fully transitioning to zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035, especially given the Turnpike’s role as a major travel route.

For EV drivers, the shift means relying on off-Turnpike charging or the new third-party provider, which may not match Tesla’s reliability or cost-effectiveness. Tesla’s replacement stalls, while strategically placed, require drivers to exit the highway, potentially adding time to trips. This change has sparked frustration among EV owners, with some expressing concerns on X about the lack of non-Tesla charging options and the inconvenience of detouring for charging.

Industry Trends and Future Implications

The NJTA’s decision reflects a broader trend of public authorities consolidating EV charging operations under single providers to simplify management. However, Tesla’s exclusion raises questions about competition and innovation in the EV charging sector. Tesla has long advocated for co-location with other providers to drive down costs and increase capacity, a model that has proven effective in other regions. The company’s willingness to invest in Turnpike sites if the decision is reversed—highlighted by their statement, “We are still willing to invest in New Jersey Turnpike sites if @NJTurnpike or @GovMurphy want to reverse this decision”—suggests potential for future collaboration.

Operationally, the third-party provider will need to match or exceed Tesla’s standards to avoid setbacks in EV adoption. Economically, the loss of Tesla’s cost-effective charging (30% cheaper per kilowatt-hour) could deter price-sensitive drivers. Regulatory-wise, this move may prompt scrutiny of how public-private partnerships balance infrastructure goals with accessibility, especially as states nationwide aim to expand EV usage.

A Crossroads for EV Infrastructure

The NJTA’s choice to replace Tesla’s Superchargers with a sole provider marks a pivotal moment for New Jersey’s EV landscape. While Tesla’s 116 off-Turnpike stalls mitigate immediate disruptions, the long-term impact on EV adoption remains uncertain. As the state navigates its zero-emission ambitions, the balance between streamlined operations and diverse, reliable charging options will be critical to ensuring EV drivers can travel the Turnpike with confidence.