Tesla applies for Giga Berlin expansion

Tesla has finally decided to submit its environmental impact application as it moves forward with its plans to expand the German Gigafactory outside Berlin. This is the first step in the winding road of German bureaucracy and it will be some time before the actual expansion begins.

Gigafactory Berlin has an approval for a production capacity of 500,000 cars and is currently producing the Tesla Model Y. When Tesla opened the factory, it planned to reach a level of 250,000 cars per year by the end of 2022. This unfortunately did not happen, but Giga Berlin ended 2022 with 3,000 cars per week or about 150,000 electric cars per year.

Last month, the team at the factory confirmed that it managed to increase production to 4,000 vehicles per week, which brings it closer to 5,000 "magic units: what Tesla considers to be "full speed operation". Further steps of growth should take much less time, not hindering external factors, Arena EV reports, Telegrafi broadcasts.

Now, the application filed with the local government does not talk about the expansion of the factory structure or the addition of additional land and buildings. According to Tesla, the factory already in place has enough space to accommodate increased production. The application is simply to determine the environmental impact of increased production.

If the application is approved, Tesla will begin the hiring and training process along with internal improvements to the factory. One of the biggest problems the company faces is water use. The application apparently indicates that the plant will not use any more water than it already does, despite doubling approved production levels.

Environmental groups are already preparing to oppose the application, Tesla faced a number of objections from various groups when he was building the company. In addition to deforestation and animal species affected by the factory, water is a serious problem.

Europe is increasingly facing regular water shortages and this situation is not improving. Tesla is recycling its water used for production and has improved its processes over the years, but that alone does not guarantee the success of its application. /Telegraph/