On Saturday Germany’s railway stations were frequented by more travelers than usual: a few days ago a new low-fare ticket was launched by a state initiative. Local trains and public transport can be used across the country for the ticket price of nine Euros per month.

Two years after Elon Musk elicited audible gasps from an awards show audience with his surprise announcement that Tesla would build a factory outside Berlin, the project is nearing fruition and the hype has never been more palpable.