Electric car maker Tesla Inc has suspended plans to produce complete battery cells in Germany's Brandenburg state, opting instead for partial production in the United States. The move comes as the Biden administration offers tax breaks and consumer rebates to electric car makers who source batteries domestically. Tesla had originally planned to produce complete batteries at its Grinheide plant in Germany, with a peak capacity of over 50 GWh per year, but changed course due to more favorable tax incentives in the US.
Prioritizing Production Steps in the United States
According to the Brandenburg Ministry of Economic Affairs, Tesla has already started production of battery systems in Grinheide and is now preparing to produce battery cell components. The company, however, has now prioritized further production steps in the United States because of more favorable business conditions there. Tesla CEO Elon Musk had previously said that the German battery factory would achieve mass production by the end of 2023, but the factory and car production base may be delayed due to issues with ramping up production of the 4680 battery cells.
Challenges in Expanding the Use of Unproven New Technologies
Tesla has faced challenges in expanding the use of unproven new technologies, which some experts believe may be the reason behind the difficulties in ramping up production of the 4680 battery cells at its factories in Fremont, California and Austin, Texas. In January of this year, the company announced that it would invest over $3.6 billion to expand its Nevada Gigafactory facility and build two new factories: one for mass production of the long-delayed Semi electric truck and the other for the production of the new 4680 battery core.
No Comment from Tesla
Tesla has yet to comment on its decision to suspend full battery production in Germany and shift focus to partial production in the United States. However, the move highlights the impact of tax incentives and other government policies on the electric vehicle market, as companies seek to take advantage of favorable conditions and maximize profits. As the shift to renewable energy and electric transportation continues, governments around the world will play a critical role in shaping the future of the industry.
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