Gigafactory
Massive manufacturing facility built efficiently by Elon Musk in Texas.
First Mentioned
2/28/2026, 10:59:35 PM
Last Updated
2/28/2026, 11:03:11 PM
Research Retrieved
2/28/2026, 11:03:11 PM
Summary
A 'Gigafactory' is a large-scale manufacturing facility, a neologism coined by Tesla in 2013 to describe its massive production sites for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and components. The concept originated with Gigafactory Nevada, a partnership with Panasonic that became the second-largest building in the world by volume. While Tesla's network has expanded to locations like Berlin, Shanghai, and Texas—the latter noted for its rapid construction efficiency compared to other infrastructure projects—the term has been generalized across the industry. It is now used by established automakers like Volkswagen and Jaguar Land Rover, as well as newer entities like Stellantis, to describe high-capacity battery plants. These facilities are central to stabilizing EV supply chains and achieving net-zero goals through vertical integration and massive output, typically measured in gigawatt-hours (GWh).
Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
Year Coined
2013
Key Locations
Nevada (USA), New York (USA), Shanghai (China), Berlin (Germany), Texas (USA)
Notable Partner
Panasonic (at Gigafactory Nevada)
Primary Purpose
Mass production of EV batteries, components, and clean tech products
Term Originator
Tesla
Measurement Unit
Gigawatt-hours (GWh) for battery production capacity
Construction Efficiency Example
Gigafactory Texas (rapidly built by Elon Musk)
Timeline
- Tesla introduces the neologism 'Gigafactory' to refer to its first major manufacturing facility outside Fremont. (Source: Wikipedia)
2013-01-01
- Elon Musk announces the Nevada facility will be known as Gigafactory 1 as plans for more factories are revealed. (Source: Wikipedia)
2015-04-30
- Construction commences on Gigafactory Shanghai in the Lingang Industrial Zone. (Source: Web Search (Automotive Manufacturing Solutions))
2019-01-01
- Gigafactory Nevada achieves a theoretical capacity of 35 gigawatt-hours per year. (Source: Wikipedia)
2019-05-01
- Gigafactory Shanghai begins producing vehicles, demonstrating rapid construction and deployment. (Source: Web Search (Automotive Manufacturing Solutions))
2019-10-01
- Tesla announces a $3.6 billion expansion plan for the Gigafactory Nevada site. (Source: Web Search (Automotive Manufacturing Solutions))
2023-01-01
- Tesla breaks ground on the expansion of Gigafactory Nevada. (Source: Web Search (Automotive Manufacturing Solutions))
2024-01-01
Wikipedia
View on WikipediaGigafactory
Gigafactory is a neologism introduced by electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla in 2013 to refer to the company's first major manufacturing facility outside of the original Tesla Fremont Factory in California. At the time the facility was going to be called "Gigafactory" and no location had been chosen. The completed facility is now called Gigafactory Nevada (or Gigafactory 1) because Tesla has now constructed several other large facilities in multiple countries. For the first gigafactory, Tesla partnered with Panasonic to produce battery cells at the same facility where the vehicles would be manufactured, creating economies of scale and improving control of the battery supply chain. By locating two major manufacturing facilities within the same structure, Gigafactory Nevada notably became the second-largest building in the world (by volume) once construction was complete. More recent Tesla factories such as Gigafactory Berlin produce battery cells, battery packs, electric drivetrains, and other components which are incorporated into finished electric vehicle assemblies at the same facility using advanced robotics. This level of vertical integration allows Tesla to produce vehicles more quickly and reduce its exposure to supply chain problems. Conversely Gigafactory New York produces photovoltaic cells and Tesla Supercharger assemblies but does not produce batteries or vehicles, broadening usage of the term. The term "gigafactory" has also been adopted by other companies which are involved in the manufacture of electric vehicles and other clean tech products. Established automobile manufacturers such as Jaguar Land Rover and Volkswagen now use the term to refer to their own electric vehicle factories. Newer companies such as Stellantis have also embraced the term by referring to four new "gigafactories" in France which will produce lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles. Other companies such as Holosolis and 3Sun, which only produce solar cells and finished solar panel assemblies, also use the term "gigafactory" to refer to their facilities.
Web Search Results
- Gigafactory - Wikipedia
| | | This article may contain original research. Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations. Statements consisting only of original research should be removed. (December 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message) | Gigafactory is a neologism introduced by electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla in 2013 to refer to the company's first major manufacturing facility outside of the original Tesla Fremont Factory in California. At the time the facility was going to be called "Gigafactory" and no location had been chosen. The completed facility is now called Gigafactory Nevada (or Gigafactory 1) because Tesla has now constructed several other large facilities in multiple countries. [...] More recent Tesla factories such as Gigafactory Berlin produce battery cells, battery packs, electric drivetrains, and other components which are incorporated into finished electric vehicle assemblies at the same facility using advanced robotics. This level of vertical integration allows Tesla to produce vehicles more quickly and reduce its exposure to supply chain problems. Conversely Gigafactory New York produces photovoltaic cells and Tesla Supercharger assemblies but does not produce batteries or vehicles, broadening usage of the term. [...] 1. ^ "What Is A Gigafactory?". InsideEVs. 3 December 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2022. 2. ^ Frangoul, Anmar (6 July 2022). "VW and Goldman-backed battery maker Northvolt gets $1.1 billion funding injection". CNBC. Retrieved 8 July 2022. Gigafactories are facilities that produce batteries for electric vehicles on a large scale 3. ^ "Flying Through Giga Berlin". YouTube. 4. ^ "Tesla moves to expand Gigafactory Berlin on new 250-acre land". 26 May 2022. 5. ^ Partridge, Joanna (27 May 2022). "UK battles to keep Jaguar Land Rover's planned EV production". the Guardian. Retrieved 8 July 2022. 6. ^ "ID. Buzz: Production start at German component locations". Volkswagen Newsroom. 16 June 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- What is a gigafactory? - Autovista24
## Gigafactory importance Gigafactory is the name used for an electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing plant. These sites do not produce vehicles, but instead supply the battery technology which powers hybrids, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and BEVs. The term ‘gigafactory’ is often credited to Tesla CEO Elon Musk. It comes from a combination of the word ‘giga’, meaning a measurement multiplied by a billion, and the general term ‘factory’. With EV numbers increasing globally, more gigafactories are needed to ensure manufacturers can provide the required battery capacity. Governments, carmakers and batter suppliers are looking for suitable locations for new gigafactories, which will feed into local supply chains and benefit economies. [...] With the volume of BEVs increasing in Europe, there is a growing need to establish a localised gigafactory network. This will help to stabilise supply chains, which currently depend on imports from Asia. ## Gigafactory importance Gigafactory is the name used for an electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing plant. These sites do not produce vehicles, but instead supply the battery technology which powers hybrids, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and BEVs. The term ‘gigafactory’ is often credited to Tesla CEO Elon Musk. It comes from a combination of the word ‘giga’, meaning a measurement multiplied by a billion, and the general term ‘factory’. [...] At any one time, a gigafactory may be manufacturing smaller-capacity cells for hybrids or larger-capacity units for BEVs. Therefore, the overall capacity of the factory is given to highlight its production potential. This is measured in gigawatt hours (GWh). If a factory is producing batteries with an average capacity of 58kWh, then a 1GWh gigafactory could provide cells for around 17,000 BEVs. This measurement of capacity is also used to quantify the volume of cells produced by suppliers. Therefore, calculating which manufacturer made the most EV batteries is a question of power capacity, not the number of units.
- Tesla's EV battery production and global gigafactory network
Gigafactory New York, also known as Gigafactory 2, is another cornerstone to Tesla’s EV production landscape. Although not directly involved in the battery production for Tesla’s EVs, the facility was established with substantial state investment to produce Solar Roof tiles, solar panels and electrical components for Tesla’s Supercharger network - a key infrastructure in the battery production web. Despite initial challenges and shifts in production focus, including a transition away from solar panel manufacturing, Tesla is expanding operations to meet employment targets and enhance output efficiency. Gigafactory New York remains crucial to Tesla’s commitment to advancing clean energy and supporting its EV ecosystem. [...] ### Gigafactory Nevada Nestled in Storey County’s arid landscape, Gigafactory Nevada (also known as Gigafactory 1), plays a critical role in the company’s vision for sustainable energy. The sprawling suite near Lake Tahoe is a global leader in EV component and energy storage system production. With an annual capacity of 37 gigawatt-hours, the site has produced 7.3 billion battery cells, 1.5 million packs, and 3.6 million drive units, since early last year. Then in January 2024, following the announcement of a $3.6 billion expansion plan a year prior, Tesla broke new ground at the site as part of its ambitious growth strategy. [...] ### Gigafactory Shanghai Gigafactory Shanghai, (Gigafactory 3), holds a significant place in Tesla’s global manufacturing strategy as the company’s first production facility outside the United States. Situated in the Lingang Industrial Zone of Shanghai’s Pudong district, this advanced manufacturing plant has rapidly become a critical hub for Tesla’s EV production. Construction of Gigafactory Shanghai commenced in January 2019, and remarkably, it began producing vehicles by October of the same year, showcasing Tesla’s ability to establish manufacturing capabilities swiftly in new markets. The factory is primarily dedicated to producing two of Tesla’s most popular models: the Model 3 sedan and the Model Y crossover SUV.
- Understanding gigafactories: EV Battery production explained
Australia New Zealand Contact us ## modalSearch Back to “Glossary” page Net zero # What are gigafactories? Opportunities and challenges presented with EV battery production As the EV revolution accelerates, the construction of gigafactories worldwide is becoming increasingly common. It is believed that establishing a localised network of these factories will help stabilise supply chains currently reliant on Asian imports. ## What is a gigafactory? A gigafactory is a huge industrial facility that mass produces batteries for electric vehicles (EVs), including hybrids and fully electric models. The term "gigafactory," popularised by Tesla CEO Elon Musk with Tesla's Nevada plant, combines "giga", meaning a measurement multiplied by a billion, with "factory." [...] In battery production, the process starts with research and development. In a gigafactory, battery producers use virtual tools to improve design, coordinate processes, and increase efficiency throughout product development. Over time, data from this virtual environment is collected and analysed, which helps to product test far quicker. As a result, the production cycle is far more systematic. ## What are the benefits of gigafactory? Gigafactories are essential for meeting energy transition goals and achieving net-zero and decarbonisation targets. Although China leads in producing 80 per cent of the world’s lithium-ion battery cells, countries like the UK, the EU, and the US are quickly trying to gain a larger share of the market. [...] ## How does a gigafactory work? Gigafactories tend to be vast and are generally organized into sections, where battery manufacturing is divided into three primary phases: The first phase involves producing two electrodes which are a cathode and an anode. This process includes several steps beginning with mixing, followed by coating, drying, and finally pressing into complete electrode sheets Next, the assembly of each cell takes place. This step uses discrete automation, assembly lines, and robotics to assemble the component The final phase is cell finishing, where the cells undergo their first charge and discharge within a high-throughput, warehouse-like setting.
- Gigafactory Nevada - Wikipedia
### Future expansion [edit] On April 30, 2015, Elon Musk announced that the factory heretofore known simply as the Gigafactory was now to be known as Gigafactory 1 as Tesla plans to build more such factories in the future. At the same event, Musk also said that he believed that other companies would build their own similar "Gigafactories". After receiving $800M of orders ($179M PowerWall, $625M PowerPack) within 1 week of unveiling, Musk estimated that the Gigafactory 1 is not enough to supply demand. In May 2017 at a TED Talk, Elon Musk stated his intention to announce three or four new Gigafactory sites to manufacture both batteries and complete cars. [...] ### Output goals [edit] As of 2014( the projected capacity of Gigafactory for 2020 was to have been 35 gigawatt-hours per year of cells as well as 50 gigawatt-hours per year (5.7 MW) of battery packs. Production could be equivalent of supplying 500,000 Tesla cars per year. When finished, the factory is planned to produce more lithium-ion batteries in a year than were produced in the entire world in 2013. As of May 2019, Gigafactory 1 has achieved a theoretical capacity of 35 gigawatt-hours per year but utilization levels have resulted in a 24 gigawatt-hour output, according to Panasonic President Kazuhiro Tsuga. [...] ## Operations [edit] Tesla owns the land and building, and leases parts of the building to several suppliers. The Gigafactory is operated by a management team under executive Jens Peter Clausen, formerly a LEGO executive, who is VP of Gigafactory at Tesla. By April 2016 Gigafactory had 317 Tesla employees and 52 by Panasonic, most of them from Nevada, and 850 by December 2016. In 2017, 3,249 employees were registered, and by December 2018, 7,000 people worked at Giga Nevada, increasing to 7,557 by June 2019, mostly Nevadans. ### Production [edit]
Wikidata
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DBPedia
View on DBPediaLocation Data
Tesla Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg, Gestell i, Grünheide, Grünheide (Mark), Oder-Spree, Brandenburg, 15537, Deutschland
Coordinates: 52.3972048, 13.7948327
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