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Clear Vote in Citizen's Decision: BMW to Build Battery Factory in Straßkirchen
After a clear majority of 75 percent of the citizens of the municipality of Straßkirchen voted in favor of the construction of a BMW battery factory on municipal land in Straßkirchen and the neighboring Irlbach, the Munich-based automaker has received the "green light." At the location, which is strategically favorable to the factories in Dingolfing, Landshut, Regensburg, and also the headquarters in Munich, 600,000 high-voltage batteries are to be assembled annually starting in 2026. The initiative "Livable Gäuboden," which criticized the sealing of up to 105 hectares of extremely fertile farmland and prioritized its use for food production, had to accept a surprisingly clear defeat. They had argued that the soil is among the most fertile in the world and that the particularly intensive land consumption in Bavaria must still be curbed. They also fear an overstrain of the previously very rural community of 3,400 people, partly because of the expected traffic.
In the first section, about 60 hectares are to be built on, with further expansion plans for 45 hectares. At the same time, the automaker has secured the right of first refusal for an additional 36 hectares of farmland. In the first construction phase, 1,600 employees are expected to work at the site, two-thirds of them likely from existing plants. Ultimately, it could be up to 3,200 jobs.
From the perspective of BMW's Head of Human Resources and Real Estate, Ilka Horstmeier, the clear vote showed that "many citizens support investments in future-friendly technologies and jobs". At the same time, they see that "with good solutions, a transparent process, and open dialogue, sustainable decisions for a common future can be made". Production Chief Milan Nedeljkovic said they could "now take advantage of the opportunities that the transformation to electromobility offers in Bavaria".
Quite differently assessed the Bavarian Nature Conservation Association the vote in the community. Although BN-Bavaria Chief Richard Mergner recognized that "e-mobility is important for low-CO2 individual transport and therefore a battery plant is also important for the industrial location Bavaria". Nevertheless, ultimately, economic interests have been placed over the "preservation of our livelihoods". "With the help of Economy Minister Aiwanger, the red carpet was rolled out for the paving of the best farmland," Mergner further criticized. The state government is also accused by the BN of having simply failed in the search for the best location.
On the other hand, Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) was pleased, "Bavaria is and remains a car country." And Minister of Economic Affairs Hubert Aiwanger thanked the people of Straßkirchen for making the right choice. Bavarian Minister of Transport and former District Administrator of Deggendorf Christian Bernreiter (CSU) called it "an excellent result for Lower Bavaria." He said, "We need future-proof jobs in the region."
What does this mean?
The citizens have spoken - and, if you will, prioritized "economy over agriculture." Sure, the jobs... And yet, one must also be somewhat skeptical and ask about the "living spaces," as the Nature Conservation Association and the "Livable Gäuboden" initiative have done. One must question whether everything was really done to find a smarter, more intelligent, and space-saving solution that doesn't seal one of the most precious pieces of land on this planet. BMW already has enough plants, some of which may become obsolete as the transition from combustion engines to electric vehicles continues. Can it really not be done better, or is there just no will to do so?
That the Bavarian state government continues its usual concrete policies is not surprising: Land consumption remains at a top level nationwide, despite all containment announcements from the Prime Minister and his adjutant Aiwanger, as well as their appeals for voluntary restraint. Perhaps they just can't do it more cleverly. In Bavaria, the regrettable tradition remains: He who builds, stays.
There is no question, however, that it is crucial to keep high technology in Bavaria, Germany, and Europe. This includes not only a battery plant but also cell production, which must first be established. Yet, the "BMW case" could have been an opportunity to prove that economy and ecology can coexist under a "traditional Bavarian hat." So, a bitter aftertaste remains, similar to Tesla in Grünheide: Of course, future technology and e-mobility are important. But nature is even more important in the end and the foundation for our existence. And now it remains a major task for the Munich carmaker to show that the promises of an environmentally friendly factory can be fulfilled - and done better than Tesla. It's almost like "squaring the circle."
Translated automatically from German.
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