Tesla CEO Says Sacramento A 'Long-Shot' For Gigafactory Expansion
SACRAMENTO (KCBS)— It may be a long-shot, but Palo Alto-based, electric-car maker, Tesla Motors Inc. is looking to expand and is considering setting up shop in Sacramento.
Mather Airport's business park is reportedly one of several California sites being considered by Tesla to build its massive battery plant that could ultimately employ some 6,500 workers.
The so-called Gigafactory could be a major economic boost to the region, but in a conference call earlier this month, Tesla CEO Elon Musk described California's chances of landing the facility, "improbable".
"California has quite a complex and lengthy process for approval of greenfield sites. What we couldn't afford was waiting like a year or more for permits to proceed," Musk said.
Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas are among the states considered to be more likely to be picked for the factory.
Musk said he's looking to break ground starting next month.
Sacramento County Supervisor Don Nottoli told the Sacramento Bee one month is a big mountain to climb, but that "nothing's impossible."
Sacramento Bee reported the factory would cost $5 billion.
