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Tesla sign at the entrance to the construction site in Brandenburg: Irritating processes
Photo: Julian Stähle / dpa
Tesla plans to start production in its first European plant in Grünheide in Brandenburg as early as the summer.
But so far, the electric car manufacturer has only received provisional approvals for factory construction and work has been repeatedly interrupted due to objections from environmental associations.
Now the US group is criticizing the bureaucracy in the Federal Republic: "The German approval framework for industrial and infrastructure projects as well as for spatial planning is in direct contrast to the urgency of planning and implementing such projects, which is necessary to combat climate change," Tesla writes in one Opinion.
The electric car manufacturer argues that the factory is helping in the fight against global warming by spreading e-mobility.
"Particularly irritating" for Tesla is that 16 months after the application there is still no schedule for issuing a final approval.
The “most glaring problem” is that in current procedures and laws, projects that fight climate change and those that accelerate it are treated equally.
Tesla gives tips
Tesla's statement relates to proceedings between Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) and the Federal Republic of Germany before the Berlin-Brandenburg Higher Administrative Court.
The DUH demands that the federal government be condemned to set up a program to achieve the national climate protection target of 2030.
Tesla submitted the statement as a "friend of the court" as it was in the interest of the proceedings to share the experience.
In addition, the US company also has tips ready to move the project forward.
Tesla proposed ten measures to improve the approval process.
This includes accelerated procedures for sustainable projects as well as consideration of indirect effects on the environment.
At present, indications of relatively minor local consequences could prevent positive projects on a larger scale, argued the US company.
Tesla also criticized the fact that "some of the current regulations are conducive to abuse" in public participation.
Large hearings rewarded “volume instead of substance”.
Tesla wants to manufacture 500,000 cars per year in Brandenburg at full capacity.
Biden wants to promote electromobility with billions
While the group in Germany struggles with the German bureaucracy, plans by US President Joe Biden are likely to accommodate the company.
He wants to provide a big boost in sales of e-cars with hefty discounts, according to an email from the US Department of Transportation to Congress employees, which the Reuters news agency quotes.
Accordingly, Biden's $ 2.3 billion infrastructure program has earmarked $ 100 billion for consumer discounts and $ 15 billion for the expansion of 500,000 new charging stations for electric vehicles (EV).
The draft also provides for $ 20 billion for electric school buses and $ 25 billion for zero-emission public transport.
The proposed incentives are intended to "encourage people to switch to electric vehicles and efficient electrical appliances," said the Ministry of Finance.
mmq / dpa / Reuters
