Tesla, the electric vehicle manufacturer owned by billionaire Elon Musk, is studying the possibility of establishing an industrial presence in Italy. The US company is in talks with the Italian government to eventually build electric trucks or vans in the European country.
The news comes after statements by the Italian Minister for Business and Manufacturing in Italy, Adolfo Urso, last month, revealing that the government was involved in talks with Tesla to set up a factory on Italian soil.
A new report from the Italian periodical Il Sole 24 Ore shows that negotiations between the Italian government and Tesla have continued in recent weeks, focusing on the possibility of establishing a manufacturing unit for the production of “electric trucks and/or vans”.
Industry sources claim that the Ministry of Business and Manufacturing in Italy (Mimit) intensified dialogue with Tesla, highlighting that the most substantial contacts appear to be with Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, for the possible manufacture of electric commercial vehicles. It is mentioned that this production line is partly still in the planning phase, and unlike conventional cars.
The exact meaning of “electric trucks” has not yet been clarified. Tesla currently has in its portfolio the Cybertruck, produced in Texas, and the Tesla Semi, manufactured in Nevada. However, Elon Musk recently suggested that Tesla could expand its production in Europe, including manufacturing the Tesla Semi at the Gigafactory Berlin.
Although Tesla does not have van-type passenger vehicles in production, there has long been speculation about the development of a van-like electric vehicle, specifically aimed at The Boring Company, an infrastructure and tunnel construction company, also founded by Elon Musk.
The nature of these negotiations between Tesla and the Italian government is not yet clear.
Often, announcements of this type are made as part of signaling strategies to indicate the country's availability for foreign investment.
However, if carried out, such negotiations could represent a significant milestone in the expansion of Tesla's operations in Europe and the consolidation of Italy as an electric vehicle manufacturing hub.
