Tesla faces a battle with environmentalists over its decision to fell a German forest to make space for its first European factory.
Julian Satterthwaite reports.
Tesla vs Tree Pirates: war over a Berlin forest
Tesla is often seen as the darling of the eco-conscious.
Maybe not so much in Berlin right now though.
The electric car pioneer has faced a battle with protesters after it moved to clear a forest near the German capital.
It plans to use the land for its first European factory.
Green activists calling themselves 'Tree Pirates' have tried to stop the move.
But now a court has given Tesla the green light to proceed.
The mayor of the local district says that's the right move: (SOUNDBITE) (German) GREUNHEIDE MAYOR, ARNE CHRISTIANI, SAYING: "There was a delay of four days, but I believe that can be made up.
It also means legal certainty for the authority which issued the permit, the (Brandenburg) state environment ministry." Germany's government has welcomed Tesla's choice of Berlin.
It's seen as a vote of confidence in the country's car industry, and will create up to 12,000 jobs.
But environmentalists say there should first be an audit to see if any rare species are affected.
This week's ruling - which the court says cannot be appealed - would seem to dash those hopes.