Tesla is pursuing its expansion plans at a rapid rate. One of the planned investments was a new Gigafactory around Berlin in Germany. The Gigafactory 4?project, as it is called, has been advancing for the last couple of months. However, a serious issue has cropped up in its progress, one involving an endangered species of bats.
Tesla chose an area in Gr¨¹nheide, Brandenburg for the Gigafactory 4. The problem that now stands in its way is that large parts of a forest in the region will have to be cleared in order for the EV production facility to be built. Naturally, the idea doesn¡¯t have the local environmentalists too thrilled.
The 300-hectare plot of land costing Tesla a total of €40 million (Rs 3.17 billion) houses a vast number of trees. Moreover, these trees act as homes to a thriving ecosystem in the area. Tesla cutting down all these trees for the factory would also mean that all the species in this ecosystem will be displaced from their homes.?On top of that, a particular species of bats living in the region is an endangered one and might just be the biggest roadblock for the company in its pursuit.
The species in question is called ¡®Western Barbastelle¡¯ which finds its home in old pine tree hollows during the winters. At present, the bats are believed to be in hibernation until February end or March. Post that, their mating season will begin. Both the times are not considered ideal for disturbing these bats.
If Tesla decides to wait for their hibernation to end before relocating them, the breeding season will begin for birds in the forest, which will have its own set of problems for the company. On the other hand, if it plans to relocate them right now, it would need a special permit to do so. As for the trees to be cut down, Tesla has promised to plant three times the trees that it cuts down.
If not for the holdup, Tesla would have aimed to complete the process by February end, to be in time for making the Gigafactory 4 operational by July 2021. Once operational, the factory will be used to produce batteries, powertrains and complete Tesla vehicles.
It is not the first time that a construction project will be a reason for deforestation in an area. There is, however, a great deal of benefit that the Gigafactory 4 will bring to the nearby population. The electric cars by the company are zero emissions and would hence eventually help to save the environment. Moreover, it will be a source of employment for thousands of people in the region. So as long as Musk finds out a way to move the endangered species to a safe zone in an appropriate manner, there is no reason why the Gigafactory 4 should not be pursued in the selected area.