Home ›› 14 Aug 2021 ›› World Biz

Tesla hopes to make cars at Berlin plant

Reuters . Berlin
14 Aug 2021 00:00:00 | Update: 14 Aug 2021 00:46:44
Tesla hopes to make cars at Berlin plant
Elon Musk– Reuters Photo

Tesla hopes to make the first cars at its “Gigafactory” in Gruenheide, near Berlin, in October or soon afterwards, Chief Executive Elon Musk said on Friday.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party leader Armin Laschet visit the construction site of Tesla's Gigafactory in Gruenheide near Berlin, August 13, 2021.

Tesla has pushed back the expected opening of the gigafactory to late 2021, blaming German bureaucratic hurdles. The plant has also faced local public resistance due to environmental concerns.

“We’re looking forward to hopefully getting the approval to make the first cars maybe in October if we are fortunate,” Musk said on a visit to the plant with Armin Laschet, Germany’s conservative candidate to succeed Angela Merkel as chancellor.

Yet the environmental agency in Brandenburg has yet to give final approval, meaning a further delay cannot be ruled out, even until 2022.

Laschet, whose personal approval ratings have dropped ahead of a Sept. 26 federal election after he was seen laughing on a visit to a flood-stricken town, said Germany needed to cut red tape.

“Sometimes one has the impression that inventing something new is technologically easier than dismantling bureaucracy in Germany,” he told reporters, standing side-by-side with Musk.

Asked if he had any tips for Laschet to help energise his election campaign, Musk replied: “We’re adding energy right now. This plant’s all about energy, green energy that’s sustainable.”

×