Tesla to receive at least €1bn in German state aid, report claims

Tesla looks set to receive at least €1 billion (£880m) of public funding from Germany as part of the firm opening an EV battery manufacturing hub in Berlin.

First detailed by Business Insider, the deal is said to form part of a recently approved European Union plan dubbed the European Battery Innovation project. The project, which includes more than 40 countries, allows for €2.9bn to be doled out to support cell production and help reduce reliance on Chinese imports.

German government sources have reportedly confirmed the €1bn subsidy for Tesla, which is given mainly by the federal government but also by the state of Brandenburg, where the battery factory is being built.

Officially, however, the German economy ministry said that isn't yet clear how much money will be given to the American company.

The reported move has proven controversial in many industry circles, particularly given Tesla's sky-high stock market valuation and CEO Elon Musk's new status as the world's richest man.

However, the EU plan will also result in funding being given to domestic firms, such as BMW, it's claimed.

It's not yet clear how much the Munich firm will receive. Final decisions on subsidies for all firms are expected in the coming weeks.