Tesla has asked German authorities for approval to make significant changes at its factory near Berlin as part of its ambitious plan to expand the site into Europe's biggest car plant.
• Tesla submitted an application detailing modifications it wants to make at the Grunheide factory in its first stage of expansion.
• The modifications include building a battery cell testing lab, extending water recycling, and expanding or changing parts of existing facilities.
• The changes are aimed at doubling capacity to 1 million vehicles per year and 100 gigawatt hours of battery production.
• Tesla has faced delays in opening the factory due to local objections over environmental and water usage concerns. Locals have until mid-September to comment on the latest proposals.
• Tesla has committed to not using additional water and instead recycling the 1.4 million cubic meters it is licensed for.
• When fully operational, the expanded plant would have a greater output than Volkswagen's Wolfsburg plant.
• Currently, Tesla produces around 5,000 cars per week in Grunheide and has not provided a timeline for ramping up production.
