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Tesla offered old French nuclear power station as future factory site

If we ever needed more of an indication that Tesla Founder and CEO, Elon Musk, is a Bond Villain in-the-making, here it is.


The French government has suggested the company take up the site of a nuclear power station that will be shut down at the end of the year.

Situated on the Franco-German border just north of Switzerland, the site (which would need to be decommissioned and rebuilt) would offer excellent logistical pathways into mainland Europe, and help Tesla meet the global production demand for the new Model-3 sedan.

Hearing that Tesla may soon look to expand its European operations, French Energy Minister, Segolene Royal, says she told Musk: "'I have a place for you, Fessenheim', [and] he didn't say no".

"Who dares, wins," she said.

It wouldn't be the first time a nuclear reactor has been repurposed. A site in Kalkar, Germany is now an amusement park (we're not sure if the afternoon water show includes sharks with frickin' laser beams on their heads though), and a site in South Carolina was used to film the James Cameron film The Abyss.

For Tesla, though, it is not known whether a hollowed-out volcano fortress or submersible island stronghold are also in contention as potential factory locations.

But, given Musk's involvement with SpaceX and Hyperloop, and some pretty cool names at stake, we wouldn't rule it out.

A Roger Moore-era Bond wouldn't rule it out either. Your move, Mr Musk.

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James Ward

With over 20 years of experience in digital publishing, James Ward has worked within the automotive landscape since 2007 and brings experience from the publishing, manufacturer and lifestyle side of the industry together to spearhead Drive's multi-media content direction.

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