Tesla Gigafactory – why we need them?
Why is Tesla building Gigafactory?
Tesla’s mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy by developing electrical vehicles and other products which are affordable to the consumers. Tesla’s goal is to ramp up the Electric Vehicles (EV) production to 500,000 cars per year. To meet audacious goal, Tesla is need of car batteries to power their electric vehicles. Concept of Gigafactories was born out of necessities to ensure enough and timely supply of batteries to Tesla’s car and other products. These days, Tesla’s Gigafactories produce various cars and battery packs needed for Tesla’s Electric vehicles and energy storage products.
What is a Gigafactory?
The word “Gigafactory” is made-up two words “Giga” + “factory” as simple as that. But “Giga” has more meaning beyond the unit of measurement, reprenting billions. “Giga” in true sense stands for giant manufacturing facility which has the state of the arts equipment and technologies, ultra efficient in manufacturing processes and which will be key asset for the world to suffice their manufacturing needs. Tesla is building Gigafactories for their dream of sustainable energy transition by building electric vehicles and battery cells and related parts and products. In reality, Gigafactories could be built for any manufacturing vertical beyond electric car/batteries.
How many Tesla’s Gigafactories are there?
Currently there are five(5) Tesla Gigafactories worldwide. Following is list of Tesla’s Gigafactories;
Gigafactory Location | Year Operational | Country | Highlights |
Gigafactory -1 Stoney County, Nevada | 2017 | United States | This factory has almost 13 battery cell production lines and will be used for Tesla Semi manufacturing. |
Gigafactory – 2 Buffalo, New York | 2017 | Unites States | This factory is focused on Tesla’s Solar Energy vision and is used for manufacturing Solar PV and Solar roof and Supercharger type of components. |
Gigafactory – 3 Lingala area, Shanghai | 2019 | China | This is the largest manufacturing site that Tesla has built. This facility is focused on electric vehicles manufacturing such as Model-3 and Model Y to cater needs of China and European markets. |
Gigafactory – 4 Brandenburg, Berlin | 2022 | Germany | This factory will focus on bothe battery cells and car manufacturing. Tesla already planning 250-acre expansion of this factory. |
Gigafactory – 5 Austin, Texas | 2022 | United States | This is most recent manufacturing facility of all, opened in year 2022 |
What are the possible Tesla Gigafactories locations in future?
their ever increasing car manufacturing and battery cell needs. As per the Tesla’s hiring plans in Canada, seems like next location will be somewhere in Canada. Tesla is also doing preliminary feasibility studies in United Kingdom and India for possible Gigafactory location. India is the second largest auto market in the world and will be strong contender for next Tesla’s Gigafactory.