Tesla To Build Model Y 4680 Packs In Texas & Ship Them To Giga Berlin Due To Delays

Tesla is currently in the process of building two brand new factories in two continents - Giga Berlin and Giga Texas. That is in addition to significant expansion work being undertaken at Giga Shanghai and new factories being considered in Karnataka India and Indonesia.

Giga Berlin began its construction several months ahead of Giga Texas however, bureaucratic bottlenecks, environmental groups’ objections, and overall slower regulatory framework in Germany threaten to derail Giga Berlin’s start date.

Giga Berlin’s production start date has already been pushed back from July to the end of this year. That is despite strong support from the Brandenburg State PM, Brandenburg State Environmental Agency, and Economic Minister

Related news: Elon Musk Confirms Tesla FSD Wide Release ‘Download Button’ Will Not Come Until FSD Beta V10/11

And now, a report quoting inside sources from Tesla suggests, Giga Texas has progressed so far ahead of Giga Berlin that the EV maker is considering building the company’s newest 4680 packs, which are planned to go into the made in Germany Model Ys, in Giga Texas and shipping them to Giga Berlin.

In our previous report, based on Elon Musk’s tweet, we believe there is a good chance that Giga Berlin Model Y will have a 474-mile range, improved performance, and superior handling.

According to the report shared by @SawyerMerritt and initially obtained by @TroyTeslike, even though Tesla is considering shipping 4680 packs from Texas to Giga Berlin, the EV maker has yet to make a final decision.

• There is no final decision about where the cells will come from or the initial Model Y production at Giga Berlin. Tesla is considering building 4680 packs in Texas & shipping them to Berlin until Berlin starts its own cell & pack production & the production rate is high.2/4— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) July 18, 2021

According to the inside source, one reason for the uncertain Giga Berlin start date is that Tesla is dealing with lawsuits in Germany by legacy automakers related to employees switching to Tesla. The source said, "They do everything to delay Berlin."

• Giga Texas is way ahead of Giga Berlin• Tesla is dealing with lawsuits in Germany by legacy automakers related to employees switching to Tesla. The source said, "They do everything to delay Berlin."3/4— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) July 18, 2021

According to Germany’s laws, companies have the right to sue employees if they join a competitor before 2 years have elapsed since they left their post.

This is in addition to several lawsuits brought up by environmental groups to stop Giga Berlin. Brandenburg Economic Minister Jorg Steinbach has questioned the motivation behind Bavarian environmental groups' objection to Giga Berlin.

Related news: Early Tesla Model S Vehicles Will Lose Their Mobile Internet Connection In February 2022

Bavarian State is home to the largest automakers in Germany such as BMW, Mercedes, and Audi. However, Steinbach has stopped short of accusing the Bavarian automakers of having a hand in the Giga Berlin environmental lawsuits.

Despite all the roadblocks, according to the insider source, Tesla still plans to start production at Giga Berlin this December. However, the likelihood that the Giga Berlin battery plant will finish construction in time to supply the first batch of Model Ys remains uncertain.

As usual, Tesla hasn’t publicly commented on its future plans. However, we will be sure to keep you up to date as more information comes out regarding Tesla’s Giga Berlin and Giga Texas. Make sure to visit our site torquenews.com/electric-vehicles regularly for the latest updates.

So what do you think? Do you believe Giga Texas will begin production before Giga Berlin? Also, what do you think about the regulatory frameworks in Texas and Germany? Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below.

For more information check out: Tesla To Deliver Cybertruck Without Side-View Mirrors Suggests $436M Samsung Camera Supply Deal Also, see The Tesla Model 1 - What Will It Be?

Tinsae Aregay has been following Tesla and The evolution of the EV space on a daily basis for several years. He covers everything about Tesla from the cars to Elon Musk, the energy business, and autonomy. Follow Tinsae on Twitter at @TinsaeAregay for daily Tesla news.