The Biden administration has rejected Tesla’s application for a $100 million grant to fund a big-rig charging corridor. This decision has been met with disappointment from Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk.
What Happened
Tesla had applied for funding to build a big-rig charging corridor project, which would have included nine semi-truck charging stations between California and Texas. However, the Department of Transportation (DOT) chose to award funding to 49 other applicants, totaling over $635 million, to build EV charging infrastructure.
Background
This is not the first time Tesla has applied for funding for this project. The company initially requested funding in 2023 from the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure program, but was unsuccessful. The project, known as Project TESSERACT, aims to build a network of charging stations for big rigs.
CEO Responds
Elon Musk responded to the news on social media with a brief message, “Sigh.”
Impact
The status of the big rig charging corridor is now unclear. Tesla has its own fast charging network, with over 65,000 superchargers, including over 11,000 new supercharger stalls opened in 2024. Despite this, the company has faced challenges, including layoffs and the departure of its Senior Director of Charging Infrastructure.
Future Plans
Tesla has announced plans to invest $500 million in expanding its supercharger network in 2024. The company’s CEO, Elon Musk, has stated that the supercharger network is continuing to grow, and that rumors of its decline are “greatly exaggerated.”
Conclusion
The denial of Tesla’s grant application raises questions about the future of the big rig charging corridor project. As the EV industry continues to grow, the need for adequate charging infrastructure becomes increasingly important. Tesla’s plans to expand its supercharger network are a step in the right direction, but the company will need to find alternative funding sources to bring its big rig charging corridor project to fruition.