The development of Tesla’s gigafactory near Berlin has become a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over the environmental costs of advancing a green economy.

According to a recent satellite analysis conducted by environmental intelligence company Kayrros, the construction of this massive facility has resulted in the felling of approximately 500,000 trees, covering an area of 329 hectares (813 acres) between March 2020 and May 2023.

The factory, intended to be a cornerstone of Tesla’s European operations, has been embroiled in controversy since its inception. Environmental activists have voiced strong opposition, arguing that the project contradicts the principles of sustainability that the company claims to uphold.

These protests have ranged from peaceful demonstrations to more extreme actions, such as the setting of a fire at an electricity pylon, which temporarily halted production at the plant in March.

Elon Musk, Tesla’s outspoken CEO, has not shied away from the controversy. He has publicly criticized local law enforcement for what he perceives as a lenient stance towards “leftwing protesters” who have taken aggressive measures to oppose the factory’s expansion.

However, the company itself has remained largely silent on the matter, not responding to requests for comments on the environmental impact of their operations.

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