TRENTON, NJ – Long before Elon Musk and President Donald Trump feuded, while it was still envogue to burn tesla dealerships and damage cybertrucks, New Jersey wanted to show the President’s number two guy who was in charge.
Now that the two are feuding and Elon Musk is beginning to gain favor once again among the far-left, it’s too late to save his company’s electric charges from the scrap heap along the New Jersey Turnpike.
The New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) has begun phasing out 64 Tesla Supercharger stalls at rest stops along the New Jersey Turnpike, replacing them with universal electric vehicle (EV) chargers operated by Applegreen Electric. The transition, which started on June 6, has sparked debate among EV drivers and raised questions about the state’s EV infrastructure strategy.
The decision stems from a 2023 agreement between the NJTA and Applegreen, the company managing restaurants and travel marts at Turnpike rest stops.
Applegreen was granted exclusive rights to install and operate EV chargers at all 21 service areas, effectively ending Tesla’s presence on 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 planned for the Molly Pitcher rest stop in July and the Clara Barton and John Fenwick rest stops by fall 2025.
Tesla expressed disappointment, noting it offered to co-locate its chargers alongside Applegreen’s and upgrade existing stalls to support non-Tesla EVs.
The company argued that removing its reliable, high-uptime chargers could hinder New Jersey’s goal of 100% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035. To mitigate the impact, Tesla has built 116 Supercharger stalls at off-Turnpike locations, such as Wawa stores, to ensure continued access for its customers. These sites are integrated into Tesla’s in-car Trip Planner for seamless navigation.
It was never about going green, New Jersey, it was about corporate profits and political agendas.
Critics of the NJTA’s decision, including some EV drivers, argue that Tesla’s Superchargers, known for their 99.9% uptime and lower cost per kilowatt-hour, offered a superior charging experience.
Applegreen’s chargers, while universal and supporting both CCS and NACS standards, reportedly have fewer stalls per location and higher rates, potentially leading to longer wait times.
Some drivers expressed frustration on social media, noting detours to off-Turnpike chargers add inconvenience on the busy 117-mile corridor connecting northern and southern New Jersey.
Supporters of the move, including NJTA officials, emphasize the need for universal chargers to serve all EV owners, not just Tesla drivers.
The authority aims to nearly triple the number of charging stations across the Turnpike and Garden State Parkway, addressing range anxiety and supporting the state’s growing EV population, which reached 91,000 registered vehicles in 2022.
The switch has drawn mixed reactions. Some see it as a step toward equitable access for all EV drivers, while others view it as a setback for reliable infrastructure.
As the transition continues, the NJTA faces pressure to ensure Applegreen’s chargers match the performance and availability of Tesla’s network, especially on one of the Northeast’s busiest highways. For now, EV drivers will need to adapt to the new charging landscape or seek out Tesla’s nearby alternatives.
