Tesla is eyeing an expansion of its site in Grünheide, Germany, with plans to increase its footprint from 300 to 470 hectares. This expansion would accommodate facilities such as a train station for goods supply, storage halls, and a childcare center for employees’ children.
However, this entails clearing a portion of the forest, a contentious issue with the local population. Concerns also loom over the factory’s heightened water consumption due to the proposed expansion.
In a recent local referendum, the majority of voters opposed the expansion. Out of roughly 5,400 residents who participated, nearly 3,500 voted against it.
According to Grünheide’s local government, approximately 70 percent of residents over 16 years old took part in the consultation. While the vote is non-binding, it sends a significant message against further growth of the electric car factory.
Currently, Tesla churns out about 6,000 cars weekly in Grünheide, totaling 300,000 cars annually. The company aims to ramp up production capacity to 1 million cars. The establishment of the factory itself was a triumph for Tesla, considering the persistent protests by Grünheide residents and environmental activists over the years.
