The municipality of Grünheide, near Berlin, has approved the controversial expansion of Tesla’s factory grounds at Giga Berlin.
Under police protection, the local council voted in favor of a revised development plan, with eleven council members supporting, six opposing, and two abstaining.
The decision comes after public criticism, resulting in a reduced deforestation plan for the expansion. Tesla aims to extend its site to include a freight depot and logistics areas. Environmental activists, however, have announced further protests against the plans. The municipality anticipates the expansion will ease traffic in Grünheide, but environmental groups argue it poses ecological risks and urged council members to vote against it.
Opponents of the expansion have pledged ongoing protests against Tesla’s only European car plant, led by CEO Elon Musk. Hundreds of activists warned of environmental dangers and protested the expansion last week.
The “Tesla den Hahn abdrehen” alliance and the “Tesla stoppen” initiative have announced more actions. A protest camp with tree houses set up at the edge of the Tesla factory in late February will not be removed, following a court ruling. Nearly two-thirds of Grünheide residents rejected the previous expansion plans in a February survey, though this vote was non-binding.
Tesla has assured residents it would address their concerns by reducing the originally planned expansion area from over 100 hectares to around 50 hectares. Both Tesla and Grünheide Mayor Arne Christiani believe the planned freight depot will reduce road traffic. Tesla has also claimed the factory’s water consumption is below the industry average.
Pamela Eichmann, chairwoman of the volunteer-run local council, supported Tesla’s expansion plans. Speaking on Deutschlandfunk, Eichmann stated, “The planned freight depot will relieve citizens of 1,900 truck trips per day.” She emphasized that the council’s decision was made independently of Tesla, and no pressure was exerted by the company.
Tesla’s Grünheide factory, located southeast of Berlin, has been producing electric cars for about two years and employs approximately 12,000 workers. However, the company’s global job cuts will also affect hundreds of positions at the Grünheide plant. Environmental organizations, conservationists, and residents have been critical of the factory, partly because it is located in a water protection area. Legal challenges have been announced.
Despite the opposition, Tesla has dismissed concerns, pointing to the factory’s relatively low water usage. The municipality’s decision marks a significant step forward for Tesla’s expansion plans in Grünheide.
Earlier today, Tesla shared an educational video detailing the water recycling plant and process at Giga Berlin, in what looks to be a video made to showcase the factory’s environmental efforts.
Giga Berlin leads in sustainability, recycling up to 100% of the factory process waste water and using just 1.8 m³ per Model Y, far below the industry average of 3.7 m³. pic.twitter.com/TbqPi0ls7d
— Tesla Manufacturing (@gigafactories) May 16, 2024