Electric - Tesla hopes for fast pace of factory expansion
The US electric car manufacturer Tesla wants to speed up the planned expansion of its German factory. "We hope that approval for the first partial application will be granted in the first quarter," Tesla's plant manager in Grünheide, André Thierig, told Deutsche Presse-Agentur.
"The first partial approval for the expansion will be a milestone for us. It includes a consideration of the environmental impact of further expansion." The Brandenburg State Environmental Agency explained in response to an inquiry that there is no assessment of the timetable as yet. The authority is in the process of obtaining outstanding, final statements from the parties involved.
Environmentalists have concerns
Tesla wants to double production in Grünheide in Brandenburg from the previously planned 500,000 cars per year to one million per year. According to the company, more than 250,000 vehicles are currently produced annually. Optimization of the existing plant is initially planned for the expansion, followed by new buildings for car and battery production. Environmentalists have major concerns. Part of the site is located in a water protection area.
Tesla criticized the end of the purchase premium for e-cars by the federal government. "In our opinion, affordability is the decisive criterion for e-cars. If affordability is compromised, it does not contribute to the decision to buy an electric car," the company said.
In view of massive subsidies in the USA, Tesla does not expect to manufacture all of its batteries in Grünheide for the time being. "We are currently supplying parts for battery cell production to Austin," the company explained. "The Inflation Reduction Act hardly allows any other decision from a business perspective. The US government has created facts." The Inflation Reduction Act had led Tesla to focus on battery production in Austin, Texas.
Tesla Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg
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- Tesla's plant manager in Grünheide, André Thierig, expressed hope for a quick approval of the factory expansion plan, which is located in Brandenburg, Germany, by the first quarter.
- The expansion of Tesla's Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg includes a consideration of the environmental impact, as the first partial approval will focus on this aspect.
- Despite environmental concerns, Tesla aims to double its car production in Grünheide from 500,000 to 1 million vehicles annually, with initial optimization of the existing plant and subsequent construction of new facilities for car and battery production.
- Tesla's German factory expansion plans face challenges due to the location of a part of the site within a water protection area, which has raised concerns among environmentalists.
- Although Tesla produces batteries for electric cars in its factory in Austin, Texas, the company still hopes for approval for further expansion of its Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg, citing the Inflation Reduction Act as a significant factor in their decision to focus on battery production in the USA.
Source: www.stern.de
