Tesla Giga Berlin expansion plans include massive new factory

Tesla is moving forward with plans for a major expansion of Giga Berlin, getting ready to apply for permits for a second production hall that would more than double the size of its existing manufacturing building.

According to German broadcaster rbb24, Tesla intends to submit new permit applications in December 2026 for a production hall north of its current factory in Grünheide. The proposed building would cover approximately 536,000 square metres, compared to the existing hall’s 219,000 square metres.

Construction could begin as early as 2027, although after Tesla’s original experience building Giga Berlin, the broader expansion is expected to take approximately 10 years to complete.

Tesla targets one million vehicles annually

The expansion is part of Tesla’s long-standing goal to increase Giga Berlin’s annual production capacity from 500,000 to one million vehicles.

The factory currently produces an estimated 7,500 Model Y vehicles per week, equivalent to roughly 375,000 vehicles annually. That means Tesla still has considerable room to increase production before reaching its existing capacity, not including any expansion.

Tesla’s original expansion plans, approved in principle in 2024, also called for battery cell production capacity to eventually double from 50 GWh to 100 GWh annually.

Beyond additional manufacturing space, Tesla is planning a dedicated electrical substation, another water recycling system, and its own wastewater treatment facilities. While the expansion would increase water consumption, it is not expected to generate additional sanitary wastewater.

Expansion plans move closer to reality

Tesla’s latest plans build on environmental approvals granted by Brandenburg authorities in October 2024.

“As early as 2023, Tesla outlined the phased expansion of Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg in its application for a partial permit and set out the associated environmental impacts. With the approval notice of October 15, 2024, its fundamental approvability was established. The planned partial permit application for the northern production building builds on that. Once approved, it will allow this building to be erected,” Tesla said in a statement.

The project has faced environmental concerns, particularly around forest clearing and water consumption. Local officials approved revised plans in May 2024 that significantly reduced the amount of forest requiring removal.

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