Tesla intends to construct a Research and Development (R&D) facility in Berlin, close to the Grünheide location of its factory.

In an exciting development for the German capital, Tesla has announced the location of its European Development Center for Electric Vehicles and Batteries. The new centre will be situated in an old factory in Berlin-Koepenick, approximately ten kilometers away from the Gigafactory in Gruenheide, which Tesla began operating in March 2022.

The development centre will be nestled in an old industrial area with plenty of open space, offering a suitable environment for the company's innovative work. Initially, around 130 engineers from the Gigafactory in Gruenheide and smaller sites in Berlin will move to the new centre.

Mayor Igel, the district mayor of Treptow-Koepenick, commented on the project on Facebook, calling it a great success for Berlin. After considering three dozen potential sites, Koepenick was chosen for the development centre. Confidential talks with the company took place for months before the decision was made, and there were indications that the centre might have gone elsewhere, but it was ultimately chosen for Berlin-Koepenick.

Lars Moravy, Vice President for Vehicle Development at Tesla, announced the location of the development centre. The head of the new centre is Moravy himself. Plans are in place to employ around 250 people at the new centre in the future.

Currently, there are 20,000 square meters of halls available, with the possibility of future expansion. Work on the renovation will begin as soon as the applications are approved. The focus of Tesla's future work in Koepenick will be on electric vehicles, battery technology, and charging infrastructure.

Tesla may conduct initial technical tests at the chosen site in Berlin-Koepenick this year, but it is more likely to be in 2026. No information was provided about any potential expansion of the new development centre beyond the initial 20,000 square meters. The new development centre in Berlin-Koepenick is in the eastern part of Berlin, but the exact location within Koepenick remains undisclosed.

This new development marks a significant step forward in Tesla's growth in Europe and underscores the company's commitment to innovation and sustainability. With the Gigafactory in Gruenheide already operational, the addition of the development centre in Berlin-Koepenick further cements Berlin's position as a hub for electric vehicle and battery technology development.

Tesla intends to construct a Research and Development (R&D) facility in Berlin, close to the Grünheide location of its factory.