Tesla: Elon Musk details plans to create humanoid robot
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The world’s richest man flew to Germany to host Gigafest Berlin – a county-fair style party to celebrate the site’s opening. But fans hoping to see the new Model Y roll off the production line were disappointed. Instead, they were met with a Ferris wheel, a DJ set and “giga food” stalls set up in the courtyard.
It was said to be a move to woo members of the local community – many of whom have been fiercely divided over the factory’s opening.
The plant has been under construction since May 2020, but Tesla had only “early approvals,” which means that it could proceed at its own risk without the guarantee of the final approval.
A high number of objectives, including environmental issues, significantly slowed down the bureaucratic analysis of the investment.
It has been held up by legal challenges from environmental groups, delays in the approval process by regional and national agencies, and the carmaker’s own revisions to the plan.
Tesla must also find new homes for the site’s current residents – a species of lizard, and the snakes that like to eat it.
During the festival, Mr Musk took to the stage to say production would start soon “if they let us,” in what appeared to be a reference to his current hurdles.
Wired UK reports that, across the road, a group of activists from local campaign group Citizens’ Initiative Grünheide had a caravan parked with a Hugh “Stop Tesla” sign.
Manu Hoyer, a local activist who lives eight kilometres away from the site, said: ““My wife is from an area where VW built a factory and it was a catastrophe for the environment and nature.
She and her colleagues have been pouring through the permit application, trying to figure out what the environmental impact could be.
So far, they have caused several hold-ups over concerns about water usage and pollution.
The EU has some of the most ambitious environmental and climate goals in the world.
Numerous EU acts have been influential in shaping the system of environmental law in Germany.
Mr Musk also said that he wanted the German plant in the future to build the company’s range of trucks.
However, the angular design and steel skin of Tesla’s “Cybertruck” is unlikely to pass European safety requirements.
Mr Musk said that “maybe we can get some kind of waiver,” but that may be wishful thinking.
The billionaire told fans at the festival: “We’re aiming to start production in a few months, basically, November or December, and hopefully deliver our first cars in December.
He said it could create at least 12,000 jobs, and that he was concerned he might not be able to get enough staff.
He added: “We’re a bit worried we won’t be able to find enough people. We really need great talent to come here from all over Europe.”
It comes after Mr Musk snubbed Brexit Britain.
He told trade magazine Auto Express in 2019 that uncertainty over the UK’s decision to withdraw from the EU “made it too risky” to establish its European battery facility in the country.
He added that his decision was influenced by Germany’s strong track record on engineering.
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