Tesla has announced plans to implement a virtual queuing system at its Supercharger stations, with pilot tests set to begin in the second quarter of 2025. The move comes in response to a viral video showing an altercation between drivers at a charging site, highlighting growing tensions at public EV charging stations.
Charging an electric vehicle requires time, even with high-speed chargers, leading to interactions between drivers that can sometimes escalate. Tesla’s virtual queue system aims to streamline access by organizing the order in which vehicles charge, likely following a first-come, first-served basis. “While all-out fights are rare, limited parking spaces and queue-jumping can create frustrating experiences for EV owners,” the company noted.
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In addition to the new queuing system, Tesla has reaffirmed its commitment to a 20 percent year-over-year expansion of its Supercharger network, which it says will help reduce congestion and minimize potential conflicts. The automaker stated that broader deployment of the virtual queue will depend on user feedback from the initial pilot phase.
It remains unclear how the system will accommodate non-Tesla EVs, as the company continues expanding Supercharger access to other brands. As more EVs gain entry to the network, particularly in urban areas, concerns over charging station congestion and driver disputes are likely to persist.
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Virtual queuing pilots starting in Q2 at select sites. Goal is a net customer experience improvement for the ~1% cases of a wait time. Wider rollout this year if feedback is positive. We also continue to expand the network 20%+ year-over-year, closely tracking site-level demand.
— Tesla Charging (@TeslaCharging) February 19, 2025