Tesla establishes a development facility in Berlin-Köpenick

Tesla Establishes New European Research and Development Center in Berlin-Köpenick

Tesla, the American electric vehicle manufacturer, has announced the establishment of a new European research and development center in Berlin-Köpenick, Germany. The announcement was made by Tesla manager Lars Moravy.

The new center, which will be located in an old factory with an area of approximately 20,000 square meters, is not the same as the new factory in Berlin, for which construction was announced. The factory is expected to be completed in 2026.

The center in Berlin-Köpenick was chosen for its spacious area, good energy supply, and location between Berlin and Grünheide. Initially, around 130 engineers from the Grünheide plant and smaller Berlin locations will move to Köpenick. In the coming years, the center is expected to grow to around 250 employees.

The center will focus on material research, vehicle development, and powertrain engineering. Tesla had previously considered a new construction for the European research and development center, but the company decided to renovate an existing facility instead. Tesla has applied for permits for the renovation of the facility in Berlin-Köpenick.

Significant work on the refresh of the more expensive Tesla models S and X has been done in Germany. The European research and development center in Berlin-Köpenick is expected to employ more engineers in the future. Construction work on the facility is expected to begin once permits are granted, with the renovation expected to start early in 2026.

One significant location is Prüm in Rhineland-Palatinate, where Tesla acquired the supplier Grohmann, specializing in factory automation. Tesla had previously announced the establishment of a European research and development center. The Köpenick site was not chosen as the location for the new factory in Berlin, which is expected to be completed in 2026.

Tesla currently employs around 2,000 engineers and technicians in Germany at various locations. Moravy hopes for initial technical tests in Köpenick to take place this year, but it is more likely to happen in 2026. The new center in Berlin-Köpenick is expected to contribute significantly to Tesla's research and development efforts in Europe.