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A German court has ordered a halt to the logging of a large forest area in Grünheide, 30 kilometers east of Berlin, where the manufacturer of batteries and electric cars is building a new factory.
The Frankfurt an der Oder court will now consult with the environmental protection authorities (Landsumweltamt) in Brandenburg state before the case goes ahead, according to Reuters.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk visited the construction site on the outskirts of Berlin earlier this fall. (Photo: ODD ANDERSEN / AFP / NTB)
The delays could disrupt Tesla’s plans to open the company’s first plant in Europe on July 1, 2021, just a year and a half after construction was announced. The Tesla factory in Germany will make the Model Y, a so-called sports crossover, of course electric. Musk has also suggested that a new smaller model adapted to the European market can also be made in Germany.
“Made in Germany”
Made in Germany is a coveted stamp to affix to most products, not least automobiles.
But for Tesla, this seal also signifies advanced navigation in local laws and zoning plans. The start of construction depended on the approval of the local authorities, which in turn are obliged to send the proposal for consultation, including to environmental protection organizations. This is often a long and expensive process, ill-suited to the impatient temperament of businessman Musk.
Local environmental activists now argue that the common snail (Coronella austriaca) is inactive in the forest area in question. Slettsnok is a species of snake that is also found in Norway, along the coast from the Swedish border to Jæren.
The flat snake is not poisonous, but it bites so hard that it can now override the plans of the world’s top-rated automaker.
Local authorities also believe that sand lizards (Lacerta agilis) keep forests threatened by Tesla’s plans.
Local environmental and animal welfare requirements have characterized the entire construction process in Grünheide. Among other things, Tesla has had to adapt the construction to the mating season of various animal species, and the automaker has had to pay for the temporary relocation of wolves, bats, lizards and other animal species.
Tesla has also been forced to cut down on water consumption, and on top of all that, World War II bombs were found that had to be removed very carefully.
Tesla is still hoping to start production of what they describe as eco-friendly electric cars in the forest outside Berlin starting in the summer.(Terms)Copyright Dagens Næringsliv AS and / or our suppliers. We would like you to share our cases via a link, which leads directly to our pages. Copying or other use of all or part of the content may only be done with written permission or as permitted by law. For more terms, see here.
