Returning Dynamo: Why This Tesla Supercharger Manager Came Back Despite it All
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The drama unfolding at Tesla's charging division hasn't gone unnoticed. Earlier this year, CEO Elon Musk's abrupt decision to lay off Tesla’s entire charging team, totaling around 500 individuals, sent shockwaves through the company. A move fueled by a power struggle with Rebecca Tinucci, the head of charging, who challenged Musk's demand for even deeper cuts. In an aggressive response, Musk axed the whole team and even used the incident as a harrowing warning to other executives.
In the wake of this seismic shift, Tesla vowed to continue its hefty investment in Supercharging—promising $500 million this year. Nevertheless, the sudden lapse in manpower raised pressing concerns about the capacity for rapid deployment of new stations. Yet, as with any good story, there's a twist: Tesla has started rehiring some of the ousted team members, and among them is George Bahadue, Sr. Manager of Site Acquisition and Business Development.
“Two weeks ago, I was asked to return to Tesla in my previous capacity heading up business development and site acquisition for Tesla charging – I accepted,”
Bearing the emotional weight of his return, Bahadue didn’t tread lightly on the subject. He referenced the guiding words of Tinucci, capturing the profound sense of purpose behind the Tesla mission, one that Bahadue felt compelled to return to. Tinucci's vision of a sustainable future had left an indelible mark: “You work at Tesla because you hope to have at least a small impact on our collective future... that mission is too important to allow any distractions.”
Faced with an industry still struggling to meet the needs of electric vehicle (EV) owners, Bahadue weighed his options. His heart, he said, guided him back to Tesla. Charging infrastructure remains a monumental barrier to EV adoption, and Bahadue believes there’s no better place to tackle this challenge than at Tesla.
“One of my mentors told me to follow my heart. My heart is with our customers, our site hosts, all the stakeholders that make EV charging possible, and the Tesla mission of changing the world. Charging is still one of the main blockers to EV adoption and there is much work to be done. Over the years, we have forged amazing site host relationships and I’m excited to get back to working with them to solve this.”
There's no denying Bahadue’s belief in the cause. Amid the chaos, Tesla has indeed acted as a significant player in the North American EV charging infrastructure, rolling out the majority of the fast-charging stations. However, the recent upheaval threatens to hinder this progress, creating ripples that could slow the broader growth of EV adoption.
Electrek’s Take
Bahadue’s eloquent return speaks to the deeper values tying the Tesla workforce together. The sentiment is something many in the industry might find inspiring, though it’s also understandable if others remain wary. Given the turmoil, it wouldn’t be shocking if Tesla has to offer enhanced compensation to lure back top talent.
Tinucci’s legacy deserves acknowledgment. Often misjudged by fervent Musk supporters, her role in establishing Tesla’s globally renowned fast-charging network remains undeniable. She fought valiantly for her team and her vision, ensuring Tesla’s pioneering spirit and commitment to sustainable energy endured.
As Tesla navigates this tumultuous period, it will be interesting to see how the company balances its determined ambitions with the need for stability and trust within its workforce. For now, the rehiring of committed leaders like Bahadue serves as a hopeful sign of resilience.
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