Tesla's Massive Gigafactory Looks Busy in New Drone Footage

Jessica Miley

A new flyover and drone video gives a new perspective on Tesla’s Gigafactory 1 in Nevada. The massive factory is integral to Tesla’s ambitious production plan for the Model 3. Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, says the factory is currently producing more batteries than any other factory in the world, despite the fact the factory is only 30% completed.

But even then, it will still need to increase production to reach its Model 3 target of 10,000 units per week in 2018. From the video, you can see the outline of the 1.9 million square foot footprint of the factory. The multistoried building has a total floor space of 4.9 million square feet. Looking down at the site, you can see it is a hive of activity. Musk has claimed the factory is functioning at a 40% uptime rate and this will steadily increase to 90% when they reach maximum production.  

New permits recently acquired by Tesla suggest that a microgrid lab is being constructed inside and new equipment for the drive unit production line is going in too. Gigafactory 1 manufactures battery cells for Tesla’s Powerwall and Powerpack in collaboration with Panasonic. The Model 3 battery cell is also produced here alongside the Model 3 drive unit.

The first Model 3 vehicles are now on the road but there are thousands of customers waiting for their orders to be fulfilled.  Musk has set ambitious production schedules for the affordable electric vehicles and a fully functioning  Gigafacory 1 is essential to achieve them.

Via Duncan Sinfield
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