This likely won’t be the juiciest story you read today involving Elon Musk, but if you own a Tesla, it may be the most important.
Starting today, the service areas on the New Jersey Turnpike will begin transitioning fully to Universal Open Access EV chargers.
The chargers, provided by Applegreen Electric, are compatible with all makes and models of EVs.
The universal chargers will be available as of June 6 at the Vince Lombardi, Woodrow Wilson, Richard Stockton, James Fenimore Cooper, Joyce Kilmer, and Walt Whitman Service Areas.
Turnpike Authority officials say they are working diligently with Applegreen to get the universal chargers online soon at three other Turnpike locations. The chargers are expected to be operational in the Molly Pitcher Service Area in July 2025 and the Clara Barton and John Fenwick Service Areas in Fall 2025.
Make sense? Maybe. After all, the state is putting in universal chargers.
State Sen. John Burzichelli (D-Paulsboro) isn’t so sure.
“I have to question the wisdom of eliminating consumer choice by removing 64 Tesla EV chargers from one of the most travelled roads in the state,” he said. “This is a step backward for consumers that risks losing the benefits of competition.”
Burzichelli addressed the GOP elephant in the room.
Musk, already a polarizing figure, is now in a war of words with President Donald Trump. Those will be the juicy stories today. But should that have any impact on efforts to get more proverbial juice for your EV?
Burzichelli doesn’t think so.
“Elon Musk is a polarizing figure who has had a disruptive impact on politics, but the Tesla charging facilities have proven to be the gold standard in the marketplace of EV technology,” he said. “They are fast, reliable and cost effective. New Jersey consumers should not be penalized by being denied the option of Tesla charging services.
“Keeping the Tesla charging stations in place along with other manufacturers would give consumers options, serve the needs of an array of EV motorists and produce the benefits of fair competition. I would encourage the Turnpike officials to reconsider this change, so New Jersey doesn’t take away consumer choice and lose access to Tesla services at a time when energy efficiency and affordability are priorities.”
