Tesla back on track to build Berlin gigafactory

German court ruling a blow for environmentalists but a boost for investment, construction of mega projects

A police officer climbing a tree in a forest to remove a banner, presumably put up by environmental activists, and items that look like sleeping bags at the future Tesla Gigafactory construction site in Grunheide, near Berlin, last Friday. Germany's
A police officer climbing a tree in a forest to remove a banner, presumably put up by environmental activists, and items that look like sleeping bags at the future Tesla Gigafactory construction site in Grunheide, near Berlin, last Friday. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

When Tesla boss Elon Musk announced last November the setting up of a new European gigafactory in Grunheide, a small community east of Berlin, German politicians euphorically hailed the news.

Producing green cars, powered by batteries instead of combustion engines, was just what the region needed.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 24, 2020, with the headline Tesla back on track to build Berlin gigafactory. Subscribe