Tesla’s much-anticipated “Giga Train,” its first fully electric, battery-powered train, has officially launched in Germany. The Giga Train connects Erkner Station to Tesla Süd, located at the company’s Gigafactory about 20 miles southeast of Berlin. It currently accommodates 500 passengers, offering 120 seats, bicycle storage, and a passenger information system, as reported by Teslarati. The service is free for both Tesla employees and the general public.
The train is projected to eventually transport up to 4,500 employees to and from the factory, operating across three eight-hour shifts. Another stop will be added once ongoing construction in the area is completed.
“We are particularly pleased that the Tesla train shuttle is now battery-electric because it is simply in line with our company mission: to accelerate the transition to renewable energies,” Theresa Eggler, a project manager at Tesla, told German media outlet rbb24.
Niederbarnimer Eisenbahngesellschaft (NEB) also announced plans to transition its entire fleet from diesel to electric trains by the end of the year.
The new electric train offers a greener alternative for both Tesla workers and the general public, reducing the need for gas-powered cars and cutting down on pollution. According to Eggler, the Giga Train will prevent around 50 tons of carbon dioxide emissions compared to traditional trains—an important environmental milestone.