Tesla builds development center in Köpenick — next stage of European engineering strategy
Tesla is preparing a strategic move: in Köpenick — a district of Berlin, located between the city and Gigafactory Grünheide — the company is creating a new European R&D center. By early 2026, around 130 engineers currently spread across various Tesla locations around Berlin are expected to move there. In the longer term, the staff may grow to 250 people.
The company has chosen an old industrial building with a floor space of about 20,000 m², which will undergo a major renovation. Tesla aims to combine materials research, vehicle development, and drive technologies in one location. Technical trials are already being considered for 2025, but full-scale operations are planned for 2026.
The location is no coincidence. Köpenick prevailed over more than thirty options thanks to several key advantages: ample space, strong energy infrastructure, and its strategic position between Berlin and Grünheide.
For Tesla, this is not just an office expansion — it is a sign that the company is strengthening its local engineering base. The German market has long been one of Tesla’s strategic priorities, and the new center is expected not only to accelerate development but also to better adapt products to European requirements: from safety standards to material demands, energy consumption, and localized supply chains.
