Connect with us
tesla model y germany tesla model y germany

News

Tesla set to build batteries at Giga Berlin faster than previously thought, despite recent reports

Credit: Tesla

Published

on

Tesla is still planning to build electric vehicle battery cells in Germany at Giga Berlin, and faster than previously projected. This contradicts reports earlier this week that Tesla was delaying battery production in Germany with intentions to prioritize cell manufacturing in the United States, which would help the automaker benefit from recent government incentives.

Earlier this week, the Wall Street Journal reported Tesla was planning to delay battery cell production outside of the United States as recently-signed tax credit plans benefit domestic battery manufacturing. Citing people familiar with the matter, the WSJ claimed cell production equipment in Germany was potentially being shipped to the United States as the battery manufacturing plans had taken a drastic turn.

German Minister responds to reports of Tesla’s alleged updates to Giga Berlin battery plans

However, Tesla indirectly debunked the reports, according to German media outlet RBB24 on Friday (via Google Translate):

“The U.S. car manufacturer Tesla continues to produce batteries in Grünheide (Oder-Spree) in Brandenburg. The U.S. electric car manufacturer said this to third parties according to rbb information on Friday.”

Advertisement

The translation is slightly incorrect, as Tesla does not currently build battery cells in Germany.

The report also states that it is prioritizing U.S. production, but battery manufacturing systems and machinery has already been installed in Giga Berlin. It plans to begin battery production sometime early next year.

The battery manufacturing facility will provide cells for Tesla’s all-electric vehicles built at Giga Berlin, the automaker’s European production facility. Giga Berlin currently produces the Model Y crossover.

The battery facility will reportedly create 2,000 jobs in Grunheide, the municipality where the factory is located.

How U.S. battery production will benefit Tesla

According to the new stipulations of the EV tax credit, which is tied to the introduction of the Inflation Reduction Act, starting in 2023, EVs will only qualify for certain credits if the battery used in them meets certain conditions (via Congressional Research Service):

Advertisement
  • Critical Minerals ($3,750): Starting in 2023 (and after the Treasury issues guidance on this requirement), to qualify for this portion of the credit, at least 40% of the value of the battery’s applicable critical minerals must have been extracted or processed in the United States or in a country with which the United States has a free trade agreement, or recycled in North America. The 40% amount increases to 50% in 2024, 60% in 2025, 70% in 2026, and 80% in 2027 and thereafter.
  • Battery Components ($3,750): Starting in 2023 (and after the Treasury issues guidance on this requirement), to qualify for this portion of the credit, at least 50% of the value of the battery’s components must have been manufactured or assembled in North America. The 50% amount increases to 60% in 2024 and 2025, 70% in 2026, 80% in 2027, 90% in 2028, and 100% in 2029 and thereafter.

Tesla is going to benefit from these tax credits anyway, as it plans to build battery cells at its Gigafactory Texas production plant just outside Austin.

Tesla also manufactures the 4680 cells at a facility near the Fremont Factory in Northern California. Teslarati recently reported that Tesla filed to build battery cell manufacturing equipment at the Fremont Factory, where it currently does not manufacture cells.

I’d love to hear from you! If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please email me at joey@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.

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

Advertisement
Comments

Elon Musk

Tesla says it is working on rides for the handicapped and disabled with Robotaxi

Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed that this was a focus by responding, “Absolutely,” to the embedded post on X above. Tesla said it is developing its own “wheelchair-accessible vehicle,” also known as a WAV. 

Published

on

Credit: Teslarati

Tesla says on its Robotaxi app that it is working on enabling “accessibility rides” that would give the handicapped and disabled the ability to hail a Robotaxi to get to an appointment.

While Robotaxi will obviously revolutionize the way we travel for our work commutes, daily activities, and other things, but there is true potential to enable serious change for those who cannot drive.

Autonomous transportation would make life easier for those who are unable to obtain a driver’s license. Of course, with today’s ride-sharing platforms, things are much easier than they once were.

However, rides from Uber and Lyft, while plentiful, always have an opportunity to be unavailable in some regions, especially rural ones, due to a lack of drivers.

Robotaxi aims to solve this problem through autonomous transportation, a technology that Tesla has been developing for years.

Advertisement

However, new language in the Robotaxi app shows that Tesla is working on a solution for people who need rides for medical reasons, and it uses a picture of the Robovan to hammer this point home:

Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed that this was a focus by responding, “Absolutely,” to the embedded post on X above. Tesla said it is developing its own “wheelchair-accessible vehicle,” also known as a WAV.

Advertisement

This is likely the Robovan, which was unveiled on October 10 at the Robotaxi event last year:

Tesla unveils the Robovan at ‘We, Robot’ event

It is pretty interesting to see two Musk ventures working on solutions for those who are physically impaired or have other disabilities. With Tesla, Robotaxi will unlock immense potential for those who are unable to drive themselves, addressing a genuine need in today’s world.

Additionally, Neuralink is continuing its development of technology to fight against various physical and mental disabilities. A great question to ask is, “Which will be more beneficial for humans?”

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Cybertruck

Tesla gives big hint that it will build Cyber SUV, smaller Cybertruck

“Those are definitely things we’ve considered. Wait & see is probably the best way I can answer that. We’re working on so many innovative & fun things.”

Published

on

Credit: @ApexRedPanda

Tesla appears to have given a significant hint that it plans to build two highly anticipated and requested vehicles: the Cyber SUV and a smaller Cybertruck. This potentially indicates that two new cars could be added to the lineup soon.

For some time, Tesla fans have been requesting two things: a true SUV and a more compact Cybertruck. The SUV has been on the minds of fans and owners for some time, as Tesla does not currently build a full-size SUV that competes with vehicles like the Chevrolet Tahoe or Ford Expedition.

Tesla’s longer Model Y did not scale back requests for this vehicle type from fans

Meanwhile, the compact and smaller Cybertruck has been teased for years, especially since the all-electric pickup seems to be a viable option for international markets; however, its size does not seem ideal for the tight roadways in other regions.

Lately, there have been more hints than ever that Tesla is finally considering these two vehicles. It’s all but confirmed, but Tesla has always left breadcrumbs for fans to find and speculate over.

Advertisement

In an interview with Bloomberg, Tesla Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen said that the company has considered these two vehicles for its lineup, but he would not give a definitive “yes” or “no” regarding their development:

“Those are definitely things we’ve considered. Wait & see is probably the best way I can answer that. We’re working on so many innovative & fun things.”

Recently, the speculation regarding the Cyber SUV has been well-fueled, as a recent promotional video Tesla released seemed to show a mock-up design hiding in plain sight:

Credit: Tesla

Interestingly, Tesla said in a regulatory filing early this year that it would not adopt the Cybertruck’s stainless steel exoskeleton for new vehicles. However, it could still launch a design inspired by the Cybertruck, but using different materials.

As far as the more compact Cybertruck design, this would enable fans in Europe and Asia to purchase the all-electric pickup.

There have been concerns from a regulatory perspective in some countries outside of North America, as the sheer size and sharp edges have caused some concern for other governments:

Advertisement

Tesla Cybertruck gets pushback in Europe, increasing need for ‘international’ version

However, back in 2019, just after the Cybertruck’s unveiling, CEO Elon Musk admitted that there was a place for a smaller version.

Continue Reading

News

Tesla Robotaxi is headed to a new U.S. state following latest approval

“Only a trained employee, contractor, or other person authorized by the company can operate or monitor the vehicles.”

Published

on

Credit: Joe Tegtmeyer | X

Tesla Robotaxi is headed to a new U.S. state following its latest approval, which was revealed on Friday night.

Tesla has been operating its Robotaxi platform in Texas and California, with Austin being the first city where the company could test a ride-hailing platform without anyone in the driver’s seat.

First launching in Austin in late June, Tesla’s focus has been expanding its service area, its fleet of Robotaxi vehicles, and its rider population, which has grown most recently due to its public launch.

However, Tesla is also filing applications in states where these autonomous driving programs can operate, aiming to expand to all 50 states eventually. CEO Elon Musk said earlier this year that the company should be able to offer Robotaxi rides to roughly half of the U.S. population.

Alongside Texas and California, Tesla recently gained permission to test its Robotaxi in Nevada, marking the third state where it had some form of regulatory permission to perform rides using an unreleased version of the Full Self-Driving suite.

Advertisement

Tesla adjusts one key detail of Robotaxi operations in Austin

Now, Tesla has gained another approval in a new state, its fourth, marking a significant step in its expansion across the U.S.

In Arizona, Tesla gained regulatory approval to begin testing autonomous vehicles on public roads.

The vehicles in Austin and the Bay Area of California both use what Tesla has been referring to as “Safety Monitors” in the cars. During city operation in Texas, the Safety Monitor sits in the passenger’s seat. When the route takes the car on the highway, the Safety Monitor jumps into the driver’s seat.

Tesla explains why Robotaxis now have safety monitors in the driver’s seat

In California, the Safety Monitor is always in the driver’s seat.

In Arizona, Tesla will also utilize what a communication said was “Safety Drivers,” insinuating that the monitor would be in the driver’s seat. However, another line in the email states:

Advertisement

“Only a trained employee, contractor, or other person authorized by the company can operate or monitor the vehicles.”

It sounds as if there is the potential for the Safety Monitor to be in either seat, much like Tesla’s process in Austin. However, this is currently unconfirmed.

The new approval marks a drastic step forward for Tesla as it has received two new approvals in just two weeks. Regulatory hurdles seem to still be the biggest bottleneck for Tesla in terms of gaining permissions to operate in new states, but things seem to be moving along pretty well so far.

Continue Reading

Trending