Drivers of EVs in the Northeast are surprised by the decision to take away dozens of Tesla Superchargers from the New Jersey Turnpike, a crucial highway. By introducing this toll change, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) will affect people who drive in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, as the use of electric vehicles is rapidly increasing in the region.
On June 2, 2025, NJTA asked Tesla to decommission 64 Supercharger spots in various rest stops along Interstate 95. Applegreen Electric from Ireland will take over the charging stations where Tesla had them. Drivers and supporters of EVs are frustrated by this change since it conflicts with the U.S.’s goal to create more charging stations.
Why Tesla Superchargers Are Being Removed
The sudden shift resulted from an implemented contract. Just several years back, Applegreen was awarded the opportunity to run many Turnpike service plazas. It gave exclusive privileges to put in and manage EV chargers at those sites. Many of Tesla’s Superchargers, which were available before the agreement, were later affected by it.
The NJTA refused to go along with Tesla’s proposals, which included better business terms, network updates, and serving not only its own cars but also EVs of other brands. According to Tesla, putting their Superchargers next to Applegreen’s would help avoid traffic, as there would be more places for EVs to charge. Nevertheless, the state wanted to maintain exclusiveness rather than embrace diversity.
Impact on Drivers
Tesla’s network is famous for its reliability, as it stays up 99.9% of the time and faces only 1% congestion in places. The electric chargers at Applegreen often cost more, going up to $0.59 per kWh, while most of the prices at other networks fall between just $0.20 and $0.45.
More and more non-Tesla EV owners are using Tesla’s chargers because the industry is now using the North American Charging Standard (NACS), created by Tesla. Already, NACS ports are being set up by Ford, GM, Rivian, Hyundai, and more so that Tesla fast-charging remains easy for them.
Sounds like corruption
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 30, 2025
A Step Backward in Zero-Emission Vehicle
According to Tesla, the bill was a step backward for New Jersey in its move toward making all new cars on the roads zero-emission vehicles by 2035. The move to cut down on charging outlets does not seem to match the goal of supporting EVs. People using EVs are worried that the switch to Applegreen could make it more difficult and less reliable to find charging spots.
A comparison of gas prices on other apps has made users realize that Applegreen’s rates are not necessarily cheap. When visiting Tesla Superchargers during off-peak hours, you may find them more affordable.
Tesla claims to have been aware of this consequence and has put up 116 Supercharger stalls close to the Turnpike for any stranded drivers. When you use Tesla’s onboard trip planning, the navigation will display the official sites for services instead of third-party platforms. Not having the quick and high-speed Superchargers on the Turnpike will affect many drivers when there is a lot of traffic.
This occurrence brings up the question of how EV charging points are placed and who gets to use them. Even though exclusive contracts make development smoother, they might lessen competition and slow progress. Drivers could enjoy superior service if multiple providers set up chargers at the same location, which Tesla welcomed.
