A strategic vote is underway for Tesla’s Berlin Gigafactory

The only Tesla factory in Europe has big ambitions, but to achieve them, it must convince the local population.

There is a slight tension in the air currently in the suburbs of Berlin. In Grünheide, where the only Tesla Gigafactory in Europe is located, the pace needs to quickly accelerate. Between the repatriation of production for the Model 3 and the anticipated arrival of the 25,000-euro city car by 2025, additional space is needed.

However, this need must first be approved by a popular vote regarding its legitimacy, balancing economic development and ecological respect. The green lobby is very powerful in Germany, but so are the other German automakers.

Thus, the issue goes beyond mere necessity for Tesla to increase production. It is a difficult moral dilemma, and Tesla is not simply passive in this discussion. The American manufacturer also has demands, such as the extension of a train line close to their factory. Up until now, Tesla bore the costs, but that seems to be coming to an end.

Furthermore, the social conflict in Sweden and Denmark raises concerns, as German unions are also very powerful. So, under the guise of negotiating an expansion of their German production site, Tesla is mainly testing its popularity.

This vote is open until February 16, 2024, for all residents of the municipality over the age of 16. However, the mayor clarified that the result of this vote will only serve as an “indicator” for decision-making, and will in no way be binding. It is widely assumed that negotiations are taking place at a much higher level, at the state or federal level, certainly not at the local level…

With an current capacity of 500,000 cars per year (not yet achieved over a full year like 2023), Tesla aims for 1 million units annually starting in 2026. So, there’s an urgency.

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