Tesla's Berlin Gigafactory Is Back On Schedule Post Environmental And Regulatory Hiccups

Tesla has been allowed by a local court in Berlin to allow work on its Gigafactory to resume, a week after the work had to be stopped due to concerns raised by local activists over the felling of trees. Activists alleged that local authorities ignored environmental regulations in allowing Tesla to begin work on setting up its large-scale manufacturing facility in the area.

The company is felling trees on 92 hectares of forest land in Gruenheide, east of Berlin, setting up its first European Gigafactory. The verdict comes just as the period for breeding for local wildlife is about to begin. If the forest is not cleared by March, the work on the project may be delayed by as much as nine months. This would affect Tesla’s plans to have the factory up and running by the middle of next year. Once operational, it is expected to become Tesla's fourth-largest Gigafactory worldwide with a production capacity of 500,000 cars per year and an employment capacity for 12,000 people.

Bloomberg reported, Thursday, that two-thirds of the forest land had already been cleared and the ruling is expected to save considerable time and cost for Tesla as the company is expected to clear the rest in time. The court has set aside concerns raised by local activists that the Gigafactory may affect the region’s water supply and put pressure on the local transportation infrastructure.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted, in January, that the company was working to address such concerns. He stated that the factory will not affect water supply in the area, which borders a nature reserve. He further stated, in a tweet last month, that the factory will be designed with sustainability and the environment in mind.

While the company has got preliminary approvals, it will need further backing from Brandenburg authorities. Another challenge it will face will be scaring away wolves, bats, snakes, ants, and lizards until construction is completed.