2024-02-22 13:00:01
The majority of people in Grünheide have spoken out against the expansion of the Tesla Gigafactory. What do residents say about the vote?
The day after, it is as quiet in the Brandenburg community of Grünheide as in any other village. Hardly anyone is out on the streets in the morning, only the market square is a little busy. There is nothing to indicate that a significant decision for the German economy was made in Grünheide on Tuesday evening. Even if it is not binding.
In a citizen survey, the population was able to vote on whether they were for or against expanding the Tesla Gigafactory in the area. The majority voted against. If you ask the people in the market square this Wednesday morning whether they took part in the vote, they answer “Yes, of course.” Participation was 75 percent. But the reasons for this are different.
An older man is generally critical of the Gigafactory. “They can’t get rid of all that,” he says. “That’s too much.” By this he means the number of electric cars that will be manufactured there in the future. He also doesn’t like the fact that another 100 hectares of spruce forest, which completely surrounds the town, are to be cut down. The current target is 500,000 cars per year. Tesla plans to produce one million vehicles a year with the even larger factory. In Berlin, Tesla produces the Model Y, which was sold around 1.23 million times worldwide in 2023.
Deforestation and water consumption played a major role
The environment is the main reason Gerta Warnke voted against expanding the factory. “I see how the forest in front of my door is being cut down,” she says. “So of course I voted no.” Deforestation was the main aspect of the survey. Citizens should decide whether they are in favor of another 100 hectares of forest being cut down.
Warnke is also worried about the lack of water. Even before the factory was built, the Strausberg-Erkner water association warned of a dangerously low groundwater level in the community. Tesla’s water consumption in 2022 was 10.2 million cubic meters of water. This could increase with expansion. Tesla claims that a water recycling system ensures economical consumption, but given the low groundwater level, this is not reassuring. Water must already be saved, which is why water consumption for private households has already been reduced to 37 cubic meters per person per year.
These were also the biggest points of criticism from the citizens’ initiative, which is opposing the expansion. Manuela Hoyer, chairwoman of the initiative, says she is “overjoyed” with the result. “No district voted yes with a majority. I’m overwhelmed.” A similar picture had already emerged from the door-to-door surveys: “People were happy that they were asked.” Because that didn’t happen before the Gigafactory was built. The decision was made “over the heads of the citizens”.
However, there is a second reason for Gerta Warnke: “The workers are all from outside.” She doubts that the Tesla factory really serves as a job engine for community members. “I don’t know anyone from Grünheide who works there.” However, a counter-example to this is Toby Blei. He works at the Gigafactory, “and that’s why I voted for it. That’s my job.” Based on the number of jobs the car factory already has, the whole of Grünheide could work there. 11,000 jobs were created in the town of 9,000 people.
“Who will say a, need to say b as well”
Petra Engel also hopes that Tesla will provide secure jobs for future generations. She voted yes. The reason: “I still have children at home who might want to work nearby.”
Another man from Grünheide sees the vote a little more pragmatically: “Whoever says A must also say B,” he says jokingly. The community decided in favor of the work. “If we get a promising company, who am I to stand in the way?” Ultimately, Tesla wants to build electric cars. And in his eyes, larger numbers could, conversely, make the vehicles more affordable. “The 65 percent who voted against it will probably experience disappointment,” he says. Because the vote is just a reflection of the mood and is not legally binding. Tesla could still build the factory if the appropriate permits are granted.