A court has ordered Tesla to temporarily halt preparations for a car factory in Germany after environmentalists filed a complaint and won an injunction.
The court injunction to halt work at the factory was issued after environmentalists complained that electric car maker Tesla had been clearing forest land near Berlin in preparation for its first European car and battery plant.
According to the court, the injunction was temporary and subject to further hearings, probably this week. Protesters claim that the factory threatens the local wildlife and water supplies.
Plans to build a European facility known as a "gigafactory" in Grünheide were announced by Tesla chief executive officer (CEO) Elon Musk.
This has become the center of argument between environmentalists and the country's pro-business Christian Democrat and Free Democrat parties, who fear the issue could damage the country's image as a place to do business.
Tesla has not yet officially received permission to build the factory but it has been granted permission by Germany's environment ministry to begin site preparations "at its own risk". The preparations include clearing of about 91 hectares of forest and the felling of thousands of trees.
This has angered the Green League, an alliance of environmentalists.
In a statement, the court representing the Berlin and Brandenburg region warned: "It should not be assumed that the motion seeking legal protection brought by the Green League lacks any chance of succeeding."
Almost 300 hectares of land were purchased by Tesla in Grünheide from the state of Brandenburg to construct the factory. The company plans to open the facility in 2021 and produce up to 500,000 cars a year, employing around 12,000 people.
The firm has pledged to relocate colonies of forest ants, reptiles and bats, and is working with conservationists. In January, seven Second World War bombs discovered at the site were defused by the authorities.
