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Tesla submits its application to build batteries at Giga Berlin

Credit: @MLUKBrandenburg | Twitter

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Tesla has officially submitted amended application documents to build electric vehicle battery cells at its German production plant, Giga Berlin.

On June 3rd, the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment, and Climate Protection (MLUK) announced that Tesla changed its application for the construction and operation of the Giga Berlin production facility. The changes were primarily due to the addition of the plan to produce electric vehicle battery cells on-site.

Tesla has planned for Giga Berlin to become another battery manufacturing site for its electric cars for some time now. Since the facility was announced in late 2019 by CEO Elon Musk, Giga Berlin remains as somewhat of a hub for Tesla’s entire European operation. The vehicles built at the facility will not only be given to the citizens of Germany but the vehicles will be exported across the continent to help alleviate the demand that Tesla has obtained over the past few years. Europe remains as one of the most heavily-concentrated regions for electric vehicles, and Teslas, in particular, are highly popular in several countries, including Germany, France, Norway, and others.

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Along with the demand for its vehicles, Tesla needs to continue to expand its battery production operation. In Germany, the company will install a “corresponding auxiliary device for vehicle production,” according to the MLUK press release regarding the matter.

The MLUK release says:

“The production of battery cells is now also to take place on site – for this purpose, a corresponding auxiliary device for vehicle production is requested. In addition, the application contains an expansion of the press shop with two more press lines, which should serve to expand the vertical range of manufacture in the plant.”

Tesla will manufacture its 4680 lithium-ion cells at Giga Berlin. The new, revolutionary cell was unveiled at Tesla’s Battery Day event in September 2020 and will give vehicles more range, power, and performance than its previously used 2170 batteries. Initially, Tesla will send cells from its Kato Road 4680 production lines in Northern California to Berlin.

EXCLUSIVE: Tesla Giga Berlin isn’t facing a 6-month delay: German Minister

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Tesla also outlined a reduction in planned water consumption at the plant. Water consumption was one of the more talked about issues by local environmental groups, but Tesla plans to utilize significantly less water than previously estimated.

MLUK adds:

“In addition, the application contains various measures to reduce water consumption, so that despite the expansion of the plant, water consumption will probably continue to be around 1.4 million cubic meters per year and the expected amount of wastewater will be around 925,000 cubic meters per year.”

The Licensing Authority will decide whether the public should be involved in the decision-making process. Within the next few days, this will be decided.

Tesla slates its initial production phases for Giga Berlin at the end of 2021. Economic Minister of Brandenburg Jörg Steinbach expects production to begin by late-Summer or early-Autumn. As of now, the Model Y will still be the first vehicle produced in Germany at the Giga Berlin plant.

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What do you think? Let us know in the comments below, or be sure to email me at joey@teslarati.com or on Twitter @KlenderJoey.

Joey has been a journalist covering electric mobility at TESLARATI since August 2019. In his spare time, Joey is playing golf, watching MMA, or cheering on any of his favorite sports teams, including the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles, Miami Heat, Washington Capitals, and Penn State Nittany Lions. You can get in touch with joey at joey@teslarati.com. He is also on X @KlenderJoey. If you're looking for great Tesla accessories, check out shop.teslarati.com

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Tesla prepares to expand Giga Texas with new Optimus production plant

Drone operator Joe Tegtmeyer recognized Tesla construction crews performing ground leveling and clearing efforts at the plant earlier today.

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Credit: Tesla Optimus | X

Tesla is preparing to expand Gigafactory Texas once again with a brand new facility that will house the eventual manufacturing efforts for Optimus, its humanoid robot.

It is already building some units on a Pilot line at the Fremont Factory in Northern California, but Tesla is planning to build the vast majority of its Optimus project at Gigafactory Texas.

Tesla Optimus gets its latest job, and it’s not in the company’s factories

It will build one million units per year in Fremont, but CEO Elon Musk said the company would build 10 million units every year in Texas at a new building at Giga Texas.

Musk said:

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“I think there could be tens of billions of Optimus robots out there. Um, now obviously it’s very important we pay close attention to safety here. Then a 10 million unit uh per year production line here the I don’t know where we’re going to put the 100 million unit production line. on Mars. Maybe on Mars, I don’t know.”

Evidently, Tesla is ready to begin thinking about the production efforts of Optimus beyond a theoretical standpoint and is starting to prepare for the construction of the manufacturing plant on Giga Texas property.

Drone operator Joe Tegtmeyer recognized Tesla construction crews performing ground leveling and clearing efforts at the plant earlier today:

Production is still slated for 2027, at least at Gigafactory Texas. As previously mentioned, the company is building some units in Fremont for the time being, at least until subsequent versions of the Optimus project advance.

Tesla has done a great job of advancing Optimus forward, but it also has truly grand expectations for the project.

Musk said it could potentially be the biggest product in the history of the planet, as it will revolutionize the way humans perform tasks, probably eliminating monotonous tasks from everyday life.

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Tesla reveals its first Semi customer after launch

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla revealed its first customer for the all-electric Semi truck after it launches next year. Who it truly is should not be a surprise.

The Semi is going to finally start deliveries to new companies outside of Tesla’s pilot program starting in 2026. The company has been building a dedicated production facility in Reno, Nevada, that has finally taken shape, but Tesla was evidently not finished with the Semi’s development.

Tesla shares rare peek at Semi factory’s interior

Last week at the Annual Shareholder Meeting, Tesla said it had implemented some new designs into the Semi, helping with efficiency, updating its design, and making it a more suitable vehicle for hauling loads, as the changes also helped increase payload.

Tesla has obtained a lengthy list of companies that have committed to implementing the Semi in their own fleets, hoping to bring their logistics lineups up to date with electric powertrains and autonomous technologies.

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While it is already operating a pilot program with PepsiCo. and Frito-Lay, Tesla will expand to other businesses, primarily using it internally after its launch.

Head of the Semi program at Tesla, Dan Priestley, said the company would be the first user of the vehicle after its launch next year. It has been using it to a certain extent, but the company has not been able to completely abandon gas haulers.

Instead, it will implement the Semi into its fleet for more sustainable vehicle logistics starting next year:

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Tesla has already received orders for the Semi from a variety of large companies, including Walmart, Sysco, Anheuser-Busch, UPS, DHL, J.B. Hunt, among others.

Many analysts see the Tesla Semi as a major contributor to future growth and increasing value within the company, especially from a Wall Street perspective. Some firms say the Semi is one of several near and medium-term contributors to the company increasing its market cap.

Cantor Fitzgerald is just one of those firms, as last week it explicitly listed the Semi as a catalyst.

Analyst Andres Sheppard said, “Overall, we remain bullish on TSLA over the medium to long term. We continue to see meaningful future upside from Energy Storage & Deployment, FSD, Robotaxis/Cybercab, Semis, and Optimus Bots.”

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Tesla China rolls out Model Y L V2L adapter, and it’s free for early owners

Tesla China announced the rollout of the Model Y L’s AC external power adapter on social media platforms such as Weibo.

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Credit: Tesla China

Tesla China has released a useful new accessory for the Model Y L, and it is free for some owners. With the accessory, the Model Y L effectively becomes a giant power bank that owners can use to power appliances when they are camping, or if their homes are hit by a power outage. 

Tesla Model Y L V2L adapter

Tesla China announced the rollout of the Model Y L’s AC external power adapter on social media platforms such as Weibo. As per the product’s advertisement, the Model Y L could provide up to 2,200W of power with its adapter, allowing it to support numerous appliances on the go. Of course, but could also be used to charge devices during power outages. 

Tesla China notes that the adapter’s current is 220V, and it also features an IP44 protection grade. Tesla notes that the adapter could operate at temperatures between -30℃ ~ +50℃. The Model Y L’s V2L functionality would not work if the vehicle’s battery is less than 10%, however. 

Tesla China’s official shop is selling its AC external power adapter for a reasonable price. The product could be purchased for RMB599, which is equivalent to $85. That’s a great price for an accessory that could make car camping sessions several times more convenient.

Free for early Model Y L owners

While the Model Y L’s AC external power adapter is priced reasonably at the Tesla China shop, the accessory is available for free for early owners of the extended wheelbase six-seat all-electric crossover. This was highlighted in a message that Tesla China reportedly sent to owners of the vehicle.

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“Your Tesla account is eligible for a free Model Y L dedicated AC external power adapter. Please log in to the online store to add the adapter to your cart. Once the system verifies it correctly, the price will automatically change to 0 yuan before placing the order. We will send it to you via express delivery subsequently. 

“This free qualification is only for the first owner of the Model YL who did not receive an AC external power adapter at pickup, valid until February 28, 2026. Failure to place an order upon expiration will be considered as a waiver of eligibility. If there is a temporary shortage of goods, please be patient and we will reschedule the replenishment by the end of January 2026,” Tesla China wrote. 

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