Giga Berlin

Location & History

Giga Berlin-Brandenburg is located in Grunheide, a municipality southeast of Berlin in the state of Brandenburg, Germany. Officially named Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg, it sits on approximately 300 hectares of land and represents Tesla's first European manufacturing facility.

Construction began in early 2020, and despite regulatory challenges and pandemic disruptions, the factory opened in March 2022. The rapid construction timeline -- just two years from groundbreaking to first delivery -- demonstrated Tesla's ability to execute large-scale industrial projects at unprecedented speed.

The site was strategically chosen for its proximity to Berlin's talent pool, excellent logistics infrastructure including nearby Autobahn access, and the support of Brandenburg's state government. It also positions Tesla close to European suppliers and central to its largest continental market.

Production & Vehicles

Giga Berlin currently produces the Tesla Model Y for the European market. The factory has ramped production to over 5,000 vehicles per week, with an annual capacity exceeding 500,000 units. Tesla's goal is to eventually produce 1 million vehicles annually at this facility through expansion phases.

Vehicles built in Berlin feature innovations not found at other Tesla factories, including structural battery packs with 4680 cells and advanced front and rear mega-castings. These casting machines produce single-piece aluminum components that replace dozens of welded parts, reducing weight and improving structural rigidity.

The European-built Model Y also benefits from shorter delivery times for European customers -- typically 2-4 weeks compared to months when vehicles were shipped from Shanghai or Fremont. This local production has been crucial in making the Model Y the best-selling vehicle in multiple European countries.

Battery Production

Giga Berlin includes an on-site battery cell production facility, making it one of the most vertically integrated automotive factories in the world. The factory produces 4680 battery cells -- Tesla's next-generation cylindrical cells that offer higher energy density, longer life, and lower cost per kilowatt-hour.

The 4680 cells produced in Berlin are used in the structural battery pack, which forms part of the vehicle's body structure. This innovative approach reduces total part count, lowers weight, and increases range. Tesla aims to produce enough cells at Giga Berlin to supply all European-built vehicles, reducing dependence on external battery suppliers.