Summary
- Tesla drivers in Sweden facing long lines at Supercharger stations due to ongoing sympathy strikes
- IF Metall union blocking new Supercharger stalls from getting energized
- Tesla Charging Director Max de Zegher working to roll out new stations despite challenges
- Encouragement for Swedish public to reach out to elected officials for assistance
- Tesla has faced multiple obstacles in Sweden, including import blockades, license plate withholdings, and maintenance issues
Article
Tesla drivers in Sweden have been experiencing long wait times at Supercharger stations during holiday travel due to ongoing sympathy strikes preventing over 100 new stalls from being energized. The largest auto and metalworkers union in Sweden, IF Metall, has been striking against Tesla for over a year, leading to delays in bringing new stations online. Tesla’s Charging Director, Max de Zegher, acknowledged the situation and emphasized the importance of energizing the new stalls for the benefit of Swedish EV drivers and the country’s EV infrastructure.
Despite the challenges caused by the sympathy strikes, Tesla is still working to roll out new Supercharger stations in various locations in Sweden. The company’s efforts to build new sites in cities like Malung, Käppen, Vansbro, Idre, Särna, and Sunne are ongoing, but the delays in connecting the stations to the grid have been causing issues for EV drivers in the country. De Zegher urged the public to reach out to elected officials to assist in getting the new sites energized as quickly as possible. Additionally, Tesla opened up its Supercharger network to all EV brands in November, further highlighting the importance of resolving the current situation.
The strikes against Tesla in Sweden began in November 2023, when IF Metall initiated efforts due to the company’s refusal to sign a collective bargaining agreement. The strikes have since evolved into various phases, including attempts to cease imports, withhold license plates for new Tesla vehicles, and halt service and maintenance operations. Prior to the sympathy strikes affecting the Supercharger stalls, a dockworkers’ union had also tried to block vehicle imports, prompting Tesla to find alternative delivery methods. Despite the challenges posed by the strikes, Tesla has managed to navigate through the disruptions and continue operations.
IF Metall’s efforts to disrupt Tesla’s operations in Sweden have extended to blocking repairs and maintenance services at Tesla service sites, as well as encouraging the withholding of license plates by the country’s leading mail provider. Despite these obstacles, Tesla has found ways to work around the issues and ensure that buyers can still receive their vehicles. By signing purchase agreements or leasing contracts in advance and retrieving their plates and registration documents directly from the mail provider, Tesla has been able to maintain its operations in the face of continued labor disputes.
The situation in Sweden has highlighted the challenges faced by Tesla and EV drivers in the country due to ongoing strikes and labor disputes. The delays in energizing new Supercharger stations have caused inconvenience for drivers and hindered the growth of the EV infrastructure. Despite these obstacles, Tesla remains committed to expanding its network and providing charging solutions for Swedish EV drivers. The resolution of the labor disputes and the successful energization of the new Supercharger stalls will be crucial in ensuring the continued growth and adoption of electric vehicles in Sweden.
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