Tesla has pushed back opening after local resistance came up over environmental concerns. The company hopes to make the first cars at its “gigafactory” located in Gruenheide, near Berlin, in October or soon afterward.
The chief executive Elon Musk said on August 13 that German bureaucratic hurdles were responsible for the push back of the expected opening of the factory. The plant also encountered local public resistance as a result of environmental worries. During a visit to the plant with Germany’s conservative candidate planned to succeed Angela Merkel as chancellor, Armin Laschet, Tesla CEO said:
“We’re looking forward to hopefully getting the approval to make the first cars maybe in October if we are fortunate.”
But, the environmental agency in Brandenburg has not yet given the final approval, which means that a further delay might arise, to take the start of production into 2022. Mr. Laschet’s approval ratings have plunged ahead of the September 26th federal election after he laughed while on a visit to a flood-stricken town. He even said that Germany needed to cut red tape.
Laschet to reporters while standing beside Elon Musk:
“Sometimes one has the impression that inventing something new is technologically easier than dismantling bureaucracy in Germany.”
When asked whether he had any tips for Mr. Laschet to help in boosting his election campaign, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said:
“We’re adding energy right now. This plant’s all about energy, green energy that’s sustainable.”
