The US electric car manufacturer Tesla has encountered rejection from the citizens of Grünheide near Berlin with its plans to expand the factory premises. In a survey, 3,499 residents voted no, and 1,882 voted yes, as the community in Brandenburg announced. The community representatives of Grünheide still have to decide on the development plan. The vote in the citizen survey is not binding – but it is considered an important pointer.
In addition to the existing 300-hectare factory site, Tesla wants to build a freight yard, warehouses and a company kindergarten on an additional 170 hectares. To achieve this, more than 100 hectares of forest will be cleared.
Opponents protest – Tesla sees advantages
Conservationists and citizens’ initiatives are against the expansion. For example, they point out that forest needs to be cleared and part of the site is in a water protection area. Critics, but also supporters, made their views clear during the survey using flyers and posters.
Tesla sees advantages for the region if the development plan finally comes through. According to the car manufacturer, freight traffic could be relieved with the works station. It is also about more delivery security with storage space. Tesla recently had to suspend car production for around two weeks because parts were missing due to the uncertain situation in the Red Sea.
Tesla is planning expansion and expansion
Around 5,400 citizens took part in the survey. According to the community, participation was over 70 percent. All residents of Grünheide over the age of 16 who have lived in the community for at least three months were allowed to vote.
Tesla wants to build more cars in Grünheide in the future and expand the factory on the existing site. The company wants to double production capacity from the current target of 500,000 cars a year to one million. Around 12,500 employees currently work there, who recently produced 6,000 cars a week – that’s the equivalent of 300,000 vehicles a year. However, the citizen survey was about the expansion with a freight station and logistics areas on new premises.
