Tesla purchases 2,000 more acres for Storey County gigafactory

RENO — Tesla Motors is snapping up more land in northern Nevada as it continues to build its $5 billion gigafactory.

KTVN-TV reports that the company has confirmed that it bought almost 2,000 more acres of land near the gigafactory to add to the 1,000 acres purchased last year.

Tesla officials say most of the land will not have structures but will instead serve as a buffer between the outside world and the battery factory. They also say the additional land leaves room for growth.

The factory is expected to start making lithium batteries for its electric cars by next year.