Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.
Tesla is set to expand its European presence with the opening of a new research and development (R&D) center in Berlin-Köpenick by 2026 — reports rbb24. The site, located between downtown Berlin and Tesla’s Giga Berlin factory in Grünheide, will serve as a major hub for engineering and innovation in Europe.
Announced by Tesla engineering VP Lars Moravy earlier this week, the new facility will initially employ around 130 engineers and technicians — many of whom will transfer from Giga Berlin and other local Tesla sites. Over time, staffing is expected to grow to 250, making it one of Tesla’s largest R&D centers in the region.
The center will focus on materials research, vehicle design, battery development, and charging infrastructure, areas that play a central role in Tesla’s long-term cost reduction and efficiency goals. Moravy noted that Berlin’s universities were a key factor in selecting the location, as the company aims to tap into academic talent and foster local research partnerships. Tesla is reportedly investing a high double-digit million sum into the project, which involves converting a vacant factory site.
German officials welcomed the news. Berlin’s Senator for Economic Affairs, Franziska Giffey, described the project as a “lighthouse” for international research and development, while local leaders highlighted that Berlin had been competing with other European regions for Tesla’s selection since late 2024.
The expansion underscores Tesla’s growing commitment to its German operations, even as sales in the country have recently faced headwinds. Giga Berlin, located just eight kilometers away, has seen several major milestones in recent weeks, including the production of its 100,000th refreshed Model Y, the start of production for the new Model Y Performance, and even a system Tesla showed off this week where freshly built vehicles now drive themselves off the production line and into the factory’s outbound lot.
With the R&D center set to open in 2026, Tesla is signaling that Berlin will continue to play a central role in the company’s innovation strategy in Europe.
