Tesla experiences significant layoffs amid slowing EV sales

Tesla's workforce faces a more than 10% reduction as the company navigates a dip in electric vehicle demand and stiffening market competition.

David Ferris reports for E&E News.


In short:

  • Tesla announces job cuts for more than 10% of its workforce due to reduced demand for its electric vehicles and increased competition.
  • The company has also seen high-profile departures including Andrew Baglino, key in vehicle development, and Rohan Patel, former climate advisor.
  • There is a global slowdown in EV market growth, with Tesla facing strong competition from cheaper models and new entries from traditional automakers.

Key quote:

"I don’t want to make this sound too cynical, but it’s an indication that Tesla is a car company."

— Mike Ramsey, auto analyst at Gartner

Why this matters:

These layoffs could lead to a short-term reduction in EV production, affecting availability and potentially slowing down the overall adoption rates of electric vehicles. On the other hand, it might also lead to cost restructuring, resulting in more competitively priced models that could stimulate market demand.

What is the role of electric vehicles in the push for environmental justice?

white and red airplane pouring red powder on fire with dark smoke in background.
Credit: Ben Kuo/Unsplash

Endangerment finding: Trump allies near 'total victory' in wiping out U.S. climate regulation

A small group of conservative activists has worked for 16 years to stop all government efforts to fight climate change. Their efforts seem poised to pay off.
EXXON sign against blue-sky background
Credit: Wolterk/BigStock Photo ID: 151650362

Longtime Exxon lawyers retreat from oil company’s climate cases

Attorneys from the law firm Paul, Weiss are no longer representing the oil company in at least four lawsuits that ask the fossil fuel industry to pay for climate impacts.

Solar panels on a snowy landscape

How Ukraine is turning to renewables to keep heat and lights on

Russia continues to bomb Ukraine’s fossil-fueled power plants, leaving much of the nation shivering during a brutal winter. But Ukraine’s new emphasis on developing decentralized power — from solar panels to wind turbines — is advancing an unexpected green energy transition.
Iceland's snowy, icy, landscape

How a warming planet could turn Iceland into a glacier

Human-driven warming could cause the collapse of AMOC, a powerful ocean current system, and throw Iceland into a deep freeze.
Big yellow mining truck at coal mine work site
Credit: pkproject/BigStock Photo ID: 90725906

Wyoming coal production nosedives, with more trouble ahead

Stockpiles at coal-burning utilities are flush following a mild winter and increasing competition from renewables and natural gas.
The White House with lawn and trees in foreground.

Trump team: EPA pushback fueled fed-firing rule

The regulation is designed to swiftly remove policymaking civil servants who undermine the president’s directives.
Old oil pump jack in a grassy green field.

Illinois taxpayers could be on the hook for millions in cleanup costs from old oil and gas wells

A new report suggests Illinois could be on the hook for plugging and cleaning up thousands of inactive and abandoned oil and gas wells scattered across the state.

From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.