Tesla is allowed to continue building

A security deposit of 100 million euros ensures that the US company can continue building its factory in Brandenburg. Construction had previously been halted because Tesla had failed to deliver.

Tesla is actually due to start production in Grünheide in July. However, the company is only building with provisional building permits so far, and full approval is still pending. Tesla has now deposited 100 million euros as security to cover possible dismantling costs. The whole thing is set out in a letter of comfort from a German GmbH, which thus secures the potential payments from Tesla. This was confirmed by a spokeswoman for the Ministry of the Environment in Brandenburg on Friday.

The deadline for the security deposit had actually already expired on December 17. When Tesla did not pay, the construction work was stopped. Then there was an extension for January 4, later Tesla and the state of Brandenburg agreed on January 15. Finally, the deadline was extended by another five days. Now Tesla has paid.

There have been repeated disputes about the Tesla factory since construction began. Several environmental associations have filed lawsuits due to the high water consumption or the endangerment of rare animal species, among other things. Tesla paid the security deposit to a German subsidiary. The Grünheide citizens' initiative criticizes the fact that the state therefore has no access to the money.