Tesla has announced plans to establish a new R&D center in Kopenick, Berlin, Germany. Positioned between Tesla's existing Gigafactory in Grunheide, Brandenburg, and central Berlin, the facility is expected to bolster the company's vehicle development activities in Europe.
According to German outlets Tagesspiegel and Ecomento.de, Tesla vice president Lars Moravy confirmed the decision during a recent press event. While CEO Elon Musk had previously mentioned intentions to create a design and development hub in Berlin in 2019, details on the new site were scarce until now. Moravy said the center will occupy an approximately 20,000-square-meter former industrial site with additional campus space for future expansion.
Scheduled to open as early as 2026, the "European engineering center" will focus on materials research, vehicle technology, and powertrain development. Tesla plans an initial workforce of 130 employees, expanding to 250 within a few years, with investment valued at several tens of millions of euros. Moravy noted the site offers strong prospects for growth, a reliable power supply, and convenient rail connections, factors that led to its selection from over thirty evaluated locations.
Kopenick's proximity, roughly 20 kilometers from the Gigafactory in Grunheide, will enable closer integration between manufacturing and development operations. Moravy also mentioned anticipated collaboration with leading Berlin universities. Currently, Tesla employs about 10,000 engineers worldwide in R&D roles, with roughly 2,000 based in Germany, many originating from Tesla Automation (formerly Grohmann Automation), a company Tesla acquired in 2017.
The announcement arrives amid reported sales challenges for Tesla in various European markets, yet the company remains committed to expanding its German footprint. Construction on the new facility will commence following necessary regulatory approvals, with building expected to begin within weeks.
Article edited by Jack Wu
