Want Tesla to expand? Germans vote no.

Why it matters: A factory that divided a city.

Tesla's decision to locate in Grünheide, Brandenburg, and the speed with which the factory was built – 861 days – were a point of pride for local politicians in a country known for its difficult licensing procedures.

The factory, which opened two years ago, has also become a key driver of growth in the state, long one of the most economically challenged in Germany. Brandenburg posted economic growth of 6 percent in the first half of 2023, largely thanks to the 11,000 jobs at the factory and dozens of suppliers that have sprung up around it.

But many locals claim the plant has disrupted the quality of life that drew them to Grünheide, saying it threatens air and water quality.

Some said Tesla already had the right to build warehouses and a rail yard on the existing 740 hectares of land where the factory is located. She was happy for the opportunity to say something about this.

“This is the first time local residents have been asked, and they gave a very clear answer,” said Steffen Schorcht, an activist with the Citizen Initiative Grünheide, which opposed the expansion. “We expect politicians will respect it.”

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Brandenburg's Economy Minister Jörg Steinbach said the vote reflects people's continued uncertainty about the American electric vehicle manufacturer, and that it is up to politicians to work harder to convince them of the benefits of its presence for the region.

“I see the outcome of the vote as motivation for the council and Tesla to address the outstanding conceptual issues in the coming weeks and months,” Mr. Steinbach said.

What happens next: The decision falls to the city council.

Mr Christiani was pleased that more than 70 percent of eligible voters in Grünheide cast their vote. But he pointed out that the plan they rejected also included infrastructure developments that are important to the wider community and should be addressed.

The final decision on how to proceed lies with the Grünheide municipal council. It did not put the issue on the agenda for its next meeting in March, and officials declined to comment on when that might happen. The body will hold its last meeting before local elections in mid-May.