Tesla, the US electric–vehicle maker, is taking big strides towards its goal of providing cell components, such as electrodes, to the US from its Gruenheide, Brandenburg site. On Wednesday, the company announced plans to do so, and furthermore announced that the automotive products produced at its Brandenburg site would in the “near future“ contain batteries assembled locally. After undergoing necessary preparations, Tesla has expressed its full commitment to complete their mission.
The framework and incentives created by the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is a major contributor to Tesla‘s primary focus on cell production in the US. While building a foundation for the production of batteries in Brandenburg, Tesla encourages and boosts the IRS National Network structure which provides massive potential for the entire industry.
Tesla‘s shift towards cell production in the US is a commendable effort that provides an impetus to the automobile sector while helping create a more sustainable environment.
EU leaders are concerned that the $369 billion allocated in the IRA could lead corporations away from Europe to the US. Stellantis, which is a rival to Tesla, announced that it would be localizing production within the US before the IRA, while Air Liquide pledged to take advantage of the clean energy opportunities provided by the IRA. Holcim AG, the largest cement maker in the world, could benefit from the momentum provided by the IRA in North America. Linde believes the total investment opportunity in the US could exceed $30 billion over the next decade. The European Commission is working on loosening rules on state aid for investments in renewable energy, decarbonizing industry, hydrogen, and zero–emission vehicles. However, German Finance Minister has cautioned that Europe should not oversubsidize in reply to the US. Tesla withdrew their application for €1 billion in German state aid for their battery plant in November 2021. CEO Elon Musk tweeted that “all subsidies should be eliminated,” even with the open application for regional funding from Brandenburg‘s government. The German Economy Ministry is processing Tesla‘s decision, and the change will not affect the number of jobs available on the German site. Musk announced that the 50 gigawatt–hour battery plant in Germany would reach volume production in 2023 — later than the original plan.
European Union (EU) government officials are worrying about the local content requirements of the Generational Recovery Initiative (IRA) causing major corporations to transition away from Europe to the United States (US). Stellantis, a major competitor to automotive industry giant Tesla, revealed their plan to localize production in America before the onset of the IRA. Air Liquide, an industrial gas company, hinted at investing in clean energy, while Holcim AG (the world‘s largest cement maker) viewed the IRA as a viable opportunity for their North American operations. Linde claimed the overall investment value for their US division could reach $30 billion within the next decade. The EC has proposed relaxing regulations on state aid for investments in renewable energy, zero–emission vehicles, and hydrogen production, although Germany‘s finance minister cautioned Europe against overwhelming subsidizing in response to the US. Despite ceasing the €1 billion German state aid application, Tesla still has an open application for local funding. In March 2022, Elon Musk confirmed that their battery plant would reach volume production by the end of 2023 — slightly behind the original plan.
Tesla‘s march toward a more efficient and cost–effective production is well underway. The EV maker is soon to host its Investor Day on March 1, 2023. During the event, CEO Elon Musk is set to explain part three of Tesla’s Master Plan – aimed at scaling automotive production and the battery materials supply chain. This comes after concerns have been raised over Tesla’s struggles to ramp up battery cell production in Fremont, California, and Austin, Texas.
To combat these issues, Tesla announced at the end of January that it would invest more than $3.6 billion to expand its Nevada Gigafactory complex with two additional factories. One of the factories will focus on mass-producing Tesla’s much-anticipated Semi electric truck. The other will be utilized for the production of the company’s new 4680 battery cell.
Tesla’s ambitious plans are sure to excite investors and fans alike, who look forward to the superior performance, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness the EV maker is striving to achieve. Tune in to Tesla’s Investor Day to learn more about the company’s exciting future!