Tesla has delivered the first cars produced at its new factory in Europe – the Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg. 

The 30 cars delivered to German owners are also the first examples of the Model Y Performance in Europe. The Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg will be supplying Performance Model Ys for all European Tesla markets, including the UK. Current right-hand-drive Model Ys are built in China.

With an annual potential production capacity of 500,000 cars and up to 50 GWh of batteries, the Gigafactory is the largest electric car factory in Europe by capacity. 

Tesla claims has been built with ‘sustainability in mind’, replacing the cleared pine plantation with a forest made of 60% hardwood, making it more robust, diverse and ecologically valuable. It also claims water consumption per car will be lower than the industry average and energy consumption per cell produced will decrease by 70%. 

The Model Y Performance has 319 miles of range and can be distinguished from lesser models by its 21” Überturbine Wheels, larger brakes and a carbon fibre rear spoiler. It’s priced at £64,990, with the first examples reaching the UK in the autumn.

Tesla's robots are among the most efficient in the weld