The green light has been given by German environmental authorities for the expansion of Tesla’s Gigafactory near Berlin. This news may not please everyone. It’s official – the environmental authorities in the German state of Brandenburg have approved Tesla’s request to enlarge its Gigafactory located in Gruenheide, near Berlin, where the Model Y is produced. This is a new hurdle cleared in the growth plans of the automotive manufacturer, which aims to increase battery production capacity to 100 GWh and also enable the production of one million vehicles per year.
Under the scrutiny of environmentalists, several acts of vandalism, including a fire, against this expansion were carried out by environmental activists in the spring. The concern is that the extension of the factory could endanger the water supply in the region, as it is located in a protected area for drinking water. Additionally, since the Gigafactory is in the middle of a forest, its expansion would involve the felling of many trees. Activist groups had managed to halt the factory’s production lines for nearly a week, putting 12,000 employees on reduced hours.
This approval marks a significant step for Tesla’s operations in Germany and signals potential growth and development for the company in the region. As Tesla continues to innovate and expand its production capabilities, the approval for the Gigafactory expansion sets the stage for increased electric vehicle production and battery manufacturing.
Overall, the expansion of the Gigafactory in Germany represents a milestone in Tesla’s global operations and highlights the company’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions and electric vehicle technology.