The Berlin-Brandenburg higher administrative court issued a temporary injunction against further logging, overturning a lower court ruling that had rejected a request by environmental group Gruene Liga Brandenburg. The group is seeking to prevent Tesla from clearing more of the trees and the court said it will make a final decision on the complaint in the coming days.
Tesla and the government of Brandenburg, where the plant is located, have until mid-day on Tuesday to respond to the court and will meet that deadline, Joerg Steinbach, Brandenburg's economy minister, said on Twitter, adding that they will then "rely on the prompt decision" of the court.
If Tesla doesn't clear the forest by mid-March before the wildlife breeding period begins, construction could be delayed by six to nine months, local officials have warned.