The Inflation Reduction Act ties EV tax credits to the location of manufacturing for electric vehicles. Here is where every Tesla model, as well as the batteries that power them, are made.
Electric auto manufacturer Tesla is becoming famous worldwide—and increasingly, its cars are made the same way. In recent years, the company has transitioned from its single California factory to manufacturing spots on three continents. These production plants, known as gigafactories, are used for building every Telsa sold, as well as the brand’s electric batteries and solar equipment.
See also: Why it matters that your EV was assembled in North America
Here’s an overview of each of these factories, along with the specific Tesla equipment you can expect to find on the production floor.
Here’s a quick look at every Tesla vehicle and the places it can be manufactured.
- Tesla Model Y: Fremont Factory, Giga Shanghai, Giga Berlin, Giga Texas
- Tesla Model 3: Fremont Factory, Giga Shanghai
- Tesla Model S: Fremont Factory
- Tesla Model X: Fremont Factory
- Tesla Semi: Nevada (low volume), Giga Texas (high volume)
- Tesla Cybertruck: Giga Texas
- Tesla Roadster: Giga Texas
Looking Closer at Each Tesla Factory
Fremont, CA Factory
Year Opened: 2012
Specializes In: Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y
As Tesla’s first large-scale factory, Fremont remains the epicenter for its EV production. The factory started its life in 1962 as the NUMMI plant, where it was used to manufacture vehicles for GM and Toyota. Tesla purchased the plant in 2010 and has been using it for its own vehicles since 2012.
The 370-acre facility is located just outside San Francisco and employs over 10,000 people. With over 5.3 million sq. ft, the factory has the potential to push out up to 650,000 vehicles each year (550,000 Model 3/Model Y and 100,000 refreshed Model S/Model X).
Gigafactory Neveda
Year Opened: 2014
Specializes In: Model 3 electric motors and battery packs, Powerwall and Powerpack
Tesla’s original gigafactory, Giga Nevada is one of the world’s highest-volume plants for electric batteries and motors. It’s located in Sparks, Nevada, just outside of Reno. The plant’s primary output is electric motors and lithium-ion batteries for the Model 3 sedan, as well as Tesla’s Powerwall, Powerpack, and other electric energy storage devices.
Tesla broke ground on Giga Nevada in 2014 and has completed its construction in stages so that it’s been in continuous operation since.
At publication, Tesla reports the facility is 30% complete and houses 5.3 million square feet of operational space. Though it’s far from finished, Giga Nevada is expected to become the world’s largest building, and it will run entirely renewable energy, primarily solar.
See also: How much does it cost to charge a Tesla?
Gigafactory New York
Year Opened: 2016
Specializes In: solar roof, solar panels, electrical components for superchargers
Tesla’s New York gigafactory doesn’t manufacture EVs (yet). What it does specialize in is solar power technology. It’s a 1.2 million sq. ft facility in Buffalo, New York, that supports the production of Tesla’s energy storage equipment.
Gigafactory Shanghai
Year Opened: 2019
Specializes In: Model Y, Model 3
As the first Tesla factory abroad, Giga Shanghai aims to serve an ever-growing customer base outside the United States. It has the capacity to build over 750,000 EVs a year, most of which are Model 3s and Model Ys.
The factory space is only the second Tesla factory to assemble vehicles. Construction began in 2018, and the production floor started putting out the Model 3 within a year. Since that starting point, the factory has doubled to 9.3 million sq. ft. to accommodate the Model Y. Looking forward, there are rumors that Tesla may soon expand the factory further to build an as-yet-unnamed $25k EV.
Gigafactory Texas
Year Opened: 2022
Specializes In: Model Y, Roadster, (future) Cybertruck
Branded as Tesla’s new global headquarters, Giga Texas is producing hundreds of thousands of Model Ys while remaining the epicenter for research and development for the Roadster and Cybertruck. Overall production capacity is estimated to be about 250,000 vehicles per year.
The factory started rolling out Model Ys in April 2022, including both 4680-type cell batteries and “legacy” 2170-type batteries. Now, the plant is developing a production line suited to the unique design elements of the soon-to-be-released Cybertruck.
Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg
Year Opened: 2022
Specializes In: Model Y
As Tesla’s first European factory, Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg focuses on the Model Y for now, which plans to expand to more of the brand’s vehicle line as international interest picks up. Production reached 1,000 units per month in June 2022, but the entire factory has an estimated capacity of 250,000 vehicles annually. Tesla Kato Road pilot facility in Fremont, California