Electric vehicle (EV) ownership has skyrocketed, and with it, a growing frustration among drivers—charging station congestion. Tesla is now stepping up to address the issue, rolling out a virtual queue system designed to take the stress out of public charging. The initiative, set to be trialed at select locations in the coming months, could mark a turning point in the battle against ‘charge rage.’
▶️EXPLORE: A Huge EV Charging Upgrade is Coming To Australia
The Rise of EV Charging Rage
Anyone who has waited in a long queue for a petrol pump knows how frustrating delays can be. Now, imagine that frustration compounded by longer charging times and increasing EVs on the road. Charging rage is becoming an all-too-common issue, with reports of altercations at busy charging stations popping up on social media and online forums. In extreme cases, tensions have even escalated into violence, with one incident in the US allegedly leading to a fatal shooting over access to a Tesla Supercharger.
While Tesla maintains that wait times are uncommon—claiming customers only face delays about 1% of the time—any delay can be infuriating, particularly during peak hours.
▶️MORE: Are Tesla Superchargers worth it in Australia?
How Tesla’s Virtual Queue System Might Work
While Tesla has yet to reveal the exact details of how the virtual queue will operate, it’s likely to function similarly to digital line-management systems used in other industries. Upon arriving at a Supercharger location, drivers may need to check in through the Tesla app, joining the queue until a spot becomes available. The charger would then be unlocked exclusively for the assigned vehicle, preventing queue jumpers from causing chaos.
A potential sticking point is how this will apply to non-Tesla EVs. Tesla recently opened parts of its Supercharger network to other brands. If the queue system doesn’t support non-Tesla users from the start, it could create further friction at charging hubs.
▶️MORE: Why Did Tesla’s Australian Sales Plunge to Lowest?
A Growing Supercharger Network
Tesla has committed to expanding its network by more than 20% this year to alleviate pressure on its existing Supercharger sites. CEO Elon Musk, following backlash over mass layoffs within the Supercharger team in 2024, reaffirmed the company’s investment in charging infrastructure.
He posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Tesla would spend “well over $500M” to build thousands of new chargers this year. However, former employees told Reuters that this budget was significantly lower than previous years, raising concerns about whether Tesla can meet its ambitious growth targets.
Today, the Tesla Supercharger neywork has close to 90 locations, spread across the country as follows:
- New South Wales (NSW) - 34 locations.
- Victoria (VIC) - 26 locations
- Queensland (QLD) -12 locations
- Western Australia (WA) - 8 locations
- South Australia (SA) - 5 locations
- Australian Capital Territory (ACT) - 2 locations
- Tasmania (TAS) - 1 location.
➡️MORE:Home charging guide for Tesla Model 3 & Y
What This Means for Australian EV Owners
Australia’s EV adoption is accelerating, but charging infrastructure has struggled to keep pace. Introducing a virtual queue system could provide much-needed relief at Tesla Superchargers, particularly in high-traffic areas like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. However, the system's success will hinge on user feedback, seamless integration with the Tesla app, and whether it accommodates non-Tesla EV owners.
Tesla plans to test the virtual queue system at select sites before a broader rollout later this year. It could set a new standard for managing EV charging congestion—not just for Tesla but across the entire industry.
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