'Eco-friendly' Tesla banned from destroying huge forests in Germany

A German court has ordered that Tesla stop destroying vast forests outside of Berlin.

Eco-protesters found themselves in a strange position as they protested the world's main supplier of eco-friendly electric cars. The environment activists hailed this as a victory, halting Tesla for constructing a large car and battery factory.

Elon Musk revealed plans to build his so-called 'Gigafactory' in November, but still has not succeeded in obtaining planning permission.

Permission to fell 277 acres of forest was initially granted to Tesla, but overruled by the by the higher administrative court of the states of Berlin and Brandenburg on Sunday.

Tesla may still build Gigafactory

The court announced that it issued the order to cease the destruction of the forest, near Grünheide, in the eastern state of Brandenburg, after a complaint was raised by a local environmentalist group, the Green League of Brandenburg.

The electric car company would have cleared the forest in three days, which would not give judges enough time to review the complaint.

The court statement added, “It should not be assumed that the motion seeking legal protection brought by the Green League lacks any chance of succeeding.”

Members from the ruling political parties in Germany, the Christian Democrat Party and Free Democrat Party, have warned the courts and the activists that this move could tarnish Germany's image as a place to do business.

Future of Tesla

The Tesla brand has become synonymous with electric cars, with inventor and engineer Elon Musk at its helm.

Tesla has just launched a long-range electric car, able to run 390 miles between charges. The Tesla Model S is the latest model to challenge the issue with electric cars being unable to travel lengthy distances.

Musk has been working to create reliable electric cars that match combustion-engine models in speed and distance capability. He recently lashed out at Bill Gates for buying a Porsche over a Tesla.