Tesla’s €3.7bn German Gigafactory hits snag

Tesla has been ordered to cease all preparation work for its first European Gigafactory, as a German court considers protests from environmentalists.

Entrepreneur Elon Musk’s electric car company proposes to build its €3.7 billion manufacturing plant on a 300-hectare site near Berlin, but its plans have been hampered by protestors who say drinking water could be polluted by its activities.

The Green League has also suggested that deforestation currently underway to make room for the plant is a threat to wildlife.

Tesla has responded to the allegation by saying its plans include the replanting of trees over an area three times the size of the plant itself.

Tesla must now wait for the appeal, reportedly made by the Green League, to be considered before any further work can be undertaken.

The company plans to make its Model 3 sedans and Model Y crossover SUV at the factory.