During a joint tour of the new Tesla plant in Grünheide, Elon Musk and Armin Laschet spoke out in favor of fewer approval hurdles. However, it is questionable whether production can really start in autumn.
The Brandenburg state government reacted cautiously to the demands of Tesla boss Elon Musk, who hopes that the approval process for the electric car factory in Grünheide will end in October. Until August 19, the deadline for possible objections to a modified permit application from Tesla, said the Ministry of the Environment on Friday in Potsdam on request. Then the objections and statements of the authorities would be examined. “A specific date for the decision on the application can therefore not be given at this point in time.” All those involved worked hard to “ensure and complete a speedy and legally secure procedure”.
Laschet and Musk are pressing for approval hurdles to be removed
When Union Chancellor candidate Armin Laschet (CDU) visited the construction site of the factory in Grünheide near Berlin in Brandenburg, company boss Musk was also there. So far, the environmental approval for the plant by the state of Brandenburg is still pending. Tesla is therefore building through early approvals. Environmental associations have concerns about the project and have sued several times against partial advance permits. At a joint press conference, Musk complained: “If rules and regulations are added every year at the state, federal and EU level, then at some point people will no longer be able to do anything.”
Laschet also criticized the complaints of the environmental associations. “It is not acceptable that someone who is not a resident here, but lives on the North Sea or the Bavarian Alps, can file a lawsuit to stop such projects,” said the Christian Democrats’ candidate for chancellor. “That is why Tesla has looked for a small loophole in the Federal Emissions Protection Act, where you can start such a company with early measures. If the court decides otherwise, everything has to be dismantled.”
Tesla continues to hope for a start in October
The company plans to build around 500,000 cars a year near the capital’s airport. Tesla is also planning a battery factory there. Production was initially due to start in July, but due to delays Tesla was aiming for the end of the year. Musk is confident that production can start in the fall.
The multi-billionaire is satisfied with the construction of the Gigafactory. “The construction of the factory is progressing, it looks great here. We want people to have a wow factor and say: We would like to work here,” said Musk. “I want to thank the government for their support with the permits and all other procedures. At the moment we are looking forward to being able to produce the first cars here in October, if it works out.” Judging by the statements of the Brandenburg authorities, however, it is questionable whether the first electric cars will roll off the assembly line in two months.
See in the video: Union Chancellor candidate Armin Laschet received a tour of the Tesla plant in Grünheide from Tesla boss Elon Musk.
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