In Grünheide, near Berlin, environmental activists from the "Stop Tesla" initiative have raised serious allegations regarding the clearing of forest land for Tesla's planned expansion of its electric vehicle factory.
Extensive Deforestation
According to Tag24 activists claim that recent tree felling, conducted under the guise of munitions clearance by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service, marks the beginning of extensive deforestation.
A spokesperson for the initiative expressed outrage over the lack of prior notification and the perceived destruction of woodland, emphasizing that the state-owned forest has not yet been officially transferred to Tesla.
However, the Brandenburg Ministry of the Environment has refuted these allegations.
Ministry spokesperson Frauke Zelt clarified that the removal of trees deemed obstructive for munitions detection involves superficial cutting without disturbing the soil, roots, or the base of the trunk, asserting that such actions do not qualify as forest clearing.
Heightened Environmental Concerns
The protest against Tesla's expansion has been ongoing since late February in the Brandenburg state forest near the Tesla plant. Activists have established a small settlement of treehouses and tents to oppose Tesla's plans, which include constructing a freight train station and logistic areas.
Earlier this year, a public survey in Grünheide revealed significant local opposition to Tesla's expansion plans. Despite this, Tesla aims to enhance its logistics capabilities to increase rail transport and reduce regional traffic congestion.
Recent discoveries in the vicinity of the Tesla factory, such as the controlled detonation of a World War II bomb in June and subsequent findings of containers with unidentified chemical substances, have heightened environmental concerns and public scrutiny.
Tesla, employing approximately 12,000 workers in Grünheide, also intends to ramp up production within its existing premises. Multiple applications for environmental permits are pending, with provisional approval granted by the Brandenburg State Environmental Agency for initial construction phases.
