A Tesla dealership in Colorado, June 7, 2020. -

David Zalubowski / AP / SIPA

The German authorities have temporarily suspended part of the Tesla factory construction site near Berlin.

A suspension that will last as long as the American manufacturer has not paid a deposit necessary for the authorization of certain works, we learned this Friday.

Tesla "will only be able to resume work on clearing and building its paint shop after posting a deposit," said a spokesperson for the state of Brandenburg where the plant is located.

The American giant has failed in its obligation to pay nearly 100 million euros of guarantee before Thursday, in exchange for an accelerated authorization procedure for this work, according to German media.

Until January 4 to pay the deposit

The American manufacturer still does not have a definitive building permit for its plant, which is subject to several procedures assessing in particular the environmental impact of the project.

Since February, it has benefited from an exceptional procedure, allowing it to begin work "at its own risk", pending the final approval of the authorities.

Seven provisional authorizations, together with guarantees, were issued by the authorities to start the work.

These deposits are in theory intended to restore the site to its initial state, in the event that the final authorization is not granted by the authorities.

Tesla aims for an annual production of 500,000 electric vehicles in this "gigafactory", the first in Europe for the company of Elon Musk, which is due to open next year.

But the impact of this immense complex on the ecological balance and the water resources of this very forested area worries environmental organizations.

Last week, justice had already suspended in summary the work of clearing 88.2 hectares of trees, after the complaint of two associations.

They believe that this operation violates German environmental legislation by destroying the habitat of protected species of lizards and snakes.

Justice is due to rule on the merits of the case soon.

According to the German press, Tesla now has until January 4 to pay the deposit requested by the State of Brandenburg.

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