A change in top management is on cards in Tesla. As Tesla looks for a replacement for its CEO –Elon Musk– who is heavily involved with the Trump administration, the company will also have to find a replacement for its Head of Battery Architecture — Vineet Mehta. After 17 years of service, Mehta has parted ways from the American EV maker.
Mehta joined Tesla in 2007 and played an important role in battery innovation during his tenure. This is the second major exit in the past one year after Drew Baglino, head of battery and powertrain, also left the company in April 2024. Vineet Mehta’s departure comes as Tesla faces mounting challenges.
The EV giant saw first-quarter deliveries fall by 13 percent, amid growing investor concerns fueled by backlash against CEO Elon Musk’s political activity, intensifying global competition, and customer anticipation for an updated Model Y—its top-selling vehicle. The company’s stock has also fallen about 30 percent this year.
Tesla upcoming developments
Tesla has been actively upgrading its battery technology, introducing new formats for both the Model S and the Cybertruck. In recent months, Tesla has been embroiled in a wave of disruption, including high-profile resignations, public backlash, and acts of vandalism. Some vehicle owners have reported damage, with one capturing footage of a concrete slab being thrown through a car window—resulting in an estimated $600 (approx. Rs 50,780) repair bill.
Tesla’s infrastructure has also been targeted. Several charging stations were found destroyed, and protests have reportedly taken place outside company offices and dealerships, often linked to Musk’s political stances.
The company’s leadership has seen notable exits as well. In March, Petter Winberg, principal engineer for crash safety, left after more than 14 years. Other recent departures include the chief information officer and Tesla’s former global lead for vehicle automation and safety policy.
(With inputs from Reuters)
