Italy hopes Tesla will settle in Germany after rejection of expansion plans

After the no vote in a public consultation on expansion plans by electric car manufacturer Tesla near Berlin, Italy is raising hopes that the US company will settle in the country. Speaking to the Chamber of Deputies' Industry Committee in Rome on Wednesday, Economy Minister Adolfo Urso pointed out that the plan for a large-scale expansion in Germany had been rejected. "This will certainly lead to a decision by the company," said Urso. Talks had already been underway with Tesla for several months. "We are getting very positive feedback. But this is a process that requires caution." With regard to the Chinese electric car manufacturer BYD, he also referred to contacts with manufacturers from Asia.

In a citizen survey in the municipality of Grünheide in Brandenburg this month, there was a clear majority against Tesla's expansion plans. The car manufacturer wants to build a freight depot, warehouses and a company daycare center on an adjacent area of around 170 hectares. The expansion should also be seen against the background that Tesla wants to expand production on the existing site and double the planned 500,000 cars per year to one million. However, around two thirds of residents voted against the expansion. Conservationists and local residents criticize the fact that more than 100 hectares of forest are to be cleared. The vote is not binding for the municipality - but it is seen as an important indicator.