Tesla aims to build first cars at new Berlin plant in October

Tesla hopes to make the first cars at its "gigafactory" in Gruenheide, near Berlin, in October or soon afterwards, CEO Elon Musk said on Friday.

Tesla has pushed back the expected opening of the gigafactory to late 2021, blaming German bureaucratic hurdles. The plant has also faced local public resistance due to environmental concerns.

"We're looking forward to hopefully getting the approval to make the first cars maybe in October if we are fortunate," Musk said on a visit to the plant with Armin Laschet, Germany's conservative candidate to succeed Angela Merkel as chancellor.

The environmental agency in Brandenburg has yet to give final approval, meaning a further delay cannot be ruled out, even until 2022.

Laschet, whose personal approval ratings have dropped ahead of a September 26 federal election after he was seen laughing during a visit to a flood-stricken town, said Germany needed to cut red tape.

"Sometimes one has the impression that inventing something new is technologically easier than dismantling bureaucracy in Germany," he told reporters, standing side-by-side with Musk.

Asked if he had any tips for Laschet to help energise his election campaign, Musk replied: "We're adding energy right now. This plant's all about energy, green energy that's sustainable."

"Hopefully this factory here can serve as an inspiration to people in Germany and throughout Europe for excitement about the future." 

The CEO called for a periodic review of regulations at local, state and federal level in Germany, and at EU level, to determine if they are a net benefit.

With ever-more rules, he warned: "Eventually people will not be able to do anything at all. 

"It cannot always be about problems every day. Do you want to wake up every morning and everything's  a problem? I want people to be inspired about the future, and don't forget to have children - that's important."

The entrepreneur's girlfriend, pop singer Grimes, last year gave birth to the couple's son who they named X AE A-XII.