You know the feeling. Your electric vehicle is low on charge, reminiscent of the days when your car was running on fumes. You finally find a charging station — only to discover it’s full. Tesla may soon have a solution.
Supply and Demand of Superchargers
The ratio of fast chargers to EVs is unbalanced, often leading to queues at charging stations. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, there are currently over 73,000 fast-charging ports and over 15,000 station locations, serving an estimated 4 million-plus EVs.
We’re now testing a new waitlist feature at 5 Supercharger sites. Share feedback through the Tesla app to help us make it better.
– Los Gatos, CA – Los Gatos Boulevard
– Mountain View, CA – El Monte Avenue
– San Francisco, CA – Lombard Street
– San Jose, CA – Saratoga Avenue
-… pic.twitter.com/epTVzpJxgW— Tesla Charging (@TeslaCharging) May 11, 2026
Tesla Takes Charge
Tesla announced on X that it will test a new waitlist feature to address charging-station congestion. Testing takes place at five Supercharger sites, four of which are in California: Los Gatos, Mountain View, San Francisco, and San Jose. The other test site is in the Bronx in New York.
Based on the video demonstration shared on X, it appears that cars can “get in line” as they approach the Supercharger. In-car navigation shows the estimated wait time and how many cars are ahead of it in line. Think of it like joining a waitlist for a restaurant as you’re on your way to eat.
Tesla’s senior director of charging, Max de Zegher, said on X that “the best wait is no wait,” and that the freedom to hold a spot in line allows for a better charging experience. He noted that the dynamic waiting list will be integrated into the Tesla app in addition to the EV itself. The X post announcing the test locations also called for feedback to be submitted through the app.
A Waitlist That Makes the Cut
While a virtual queue could be helpful, there are a couple of issues to consider. First, there’s no way to crack down on cutting in line. A warning message pops up for those cutting, but it doesn’t prevent them from charging. Non-Tesla drivers also may not be aware of the waitlist.
Feedback from EV drivers on this new feature could help solve this problem, so that in the future, the waitlist can be rolled out to even more Superchargers.
