Tesla boss Elon Musk wants to turn the future plant of the electric car manufacturer near Berlin into the world’s largest battery factory. This was announced by Musk on Tuesday in a video-broadcast appearance at a conference on the European battery industry.

Tesla wants around 500. 000 Build Model 3 and Model Y. It is the first plant to manufacture both cars and batteries. Musk also announced new compact models especially for the European market and longer ranges than before. He did not provide any information on time periods.

The Tesla boss already had batteries that were half as expensive and an electric car for 25. 000 dollars announced for the next three years. On Tuesday he said that the more environmentally friendly, cheaper and more powerful batteries should be manufactured in Berlin. Tesla needs large battery packs for the electric semi-trailer truck, which is currently being prepared for market launch, as well as for the future pickup named Cybertruck.

Federal funding The President of the Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), Hildegard Müller, spoke of “strong news” for Germany as a location for the automotive industry. “Thanks to the funding of Federal Economics Minister Peter Altmaier (CDU), the largest battery factory in the world. “We welcome the project to manufacture the most environmentally friendly battery cells in Germany. This creates 10. 000 jobs. ”

Produced so far Tesla batteries in Nevada, while the majority of the vehicles are built at the parent plant in Fremont, California. Last year, the automaker also opened a plant in China.

The “European Conference on Batteries” was held in the course of the German EU Council Presidency organized by the Federal Ministry of Economics.

(fpi)