Berlin Gains Tesla's Third Global R&D Hub
Tesla is bringing its European engineering expertise to Berlin with a brand-new development center in Köpenick. © Tesla
Tesla has officially moved into its new engineering center in Berlin-Köpenick, creating a major new location for vehicle research and development in the German capital region.
The new Berlin Tesla Engineering Center (BTEC) is located in a renovated former factory covering around 20,000 square meters. According to Tesla, the site brings together activities including materials development, powertrain engineering, vehicle development and validation under one roof.
Around 250 engineers and technicians have moved to the new campus from several different locations. The company says the center combines four development sites and includes 30 laboratories. Teams will work on new vehicles, motors and materials, while also carrying out testing activities. According to reports, these include battery cell testing and safety tests on vehicle components.
The location was chosen after Tesla evaluated more than three dozen sites. The company cited the large available space, strong energy infrastructure and the strategic position between central Berlin and its manufacturing plant in Grünheide.
Tesla has invested approximately €100 million in the project. A second expansion phase has already been proposed and could increase the workforce to around 500 engineers and technicians.
The center becomes Tesla's third engineering hub of this kind worldwide, following Fremont and Shanghai. Insights gained from development and testing in Berlin are expected to support production at the company's Grünheide facility, which remains Tesla's only car factory in Europe and is planned to expand further in the coming years.
The information for this article is based on reporting by electrive.