Proposed Expansion of Giga Berlin Rejected - Italy Could Be Tesla's Next Destination
Tesla's factory in Germany, located outside Berlin, has an annual production capacity of 500 000 cars. Although the factory's production rate has been increased to 6 000 cars per week, it only reaches half of the targeted capacity.
Nevertheless, Tesla has plans to double its capacity to one million vehicles per year. To achieve this goal, the company wants to expand the factory, as well as build a railway station for freight and even a kindergarten near the factory. However, since its inception, Giga Berlin has faced opposition from the local community and environmental organizations, arguing that deforestation and the factory's high water consumption are damaging the region's groundwater resources.
In a local referendum, two-thirds of residents have now voted against Tesla's expansion plans for Giga Berlin. Although the vote is not binding, the conflict between Tesla and environmentalists has intensified after a group of activists occupied part of the forest.
This has led Italy's Economy Minister, Adolfo Urso, to express the hope that Tesla will choose to establish a new factory in Italy instead. The Economy Minister has revealed that discussions with Tesla about a potential factory in the country are already underway, but that BYD and other unspecified Asian car manufacturers have also shown interest in setting up operations in Italy.
Nevertheless, Tesla has plans to double its capacity to one million vehicles per year. To achieve this goal, the company wants to expand the factory, as well as build a railway station for freight and even a kindergarten near the factory. However, since its inception, Giga Berlin has faced opposition from the local community and environmental organizations, arguing that deforestation and the factory's high water consumption are damaging the region's groundwater resources.
In a local referendum, two-thirds of residents have now voted against Tesla's expansion plans for Giga Berlin. Although the vote is not binding, the conflict between Tesla and environmentalists has intensified after a group of activists occupied part of the forest.
This has led Italy's Economy Minister, Adolfo Urso, to express the hope that Tesla will choose to establish a new factory in Italy instead. The Economy Minister has revealed that discussions with Tesla about a potential factory in the country are already underway, but that BYD and other unspecified Asian car manufacturers have also shown interest in setting up operations in Italy.
