Tesla receives first environmental permit for Giga Mexico

The Tesla Gigafactory in Mexico has cleared another hurdle. With the environmental impact permit now granted, the upcoming schedule by which Tesla must begin construction has also been set. However, the final approval is still pending.

Tesla has received environmental impact permits from the Mexican state of Nuevo Leon’s Ministry of the Environment to build its plant there. Under the permits, Tesla must comply with certain conditions and now has 26 months to prepare the site and start building the factory. However, other permits are still required for this.

However, the target of starting construction within 26 months should not be a challenge for Tesla. If possible, the car maker wants to produce the first cars in Nuevo Leon in November 2025, even if this could be delayed a little. Most recently, it was reported with reference to Chinese suppliers that Tesla’s new factory in Mexico could start production in 2026 or 2027.

Among the conditions now imposed is that Tesla may not clear the entire area at once, but must proceed in stages. According to a Mexican media report, only the areas required for the current construction phase may be prepared and levelled. Tesla is also allowed to use a specific explosive for this purpose, which consists of ammonium nitrate and conventional petroleum-based fuel.

Further conditions concern the protection of trees outside the construction area. Tesla must also ensure that at least 500 trees of native species are preserved or replanted in the region. And a “dust control plan” is to record and control the impact of the construction work on the air quality in the region.

The US electric car maker announced the factory in the Mexican state of Nuevo León at the beginning of March. At that time, there was talk of investments of five billion dollars and a little later of a production capacity of one million e-cars per year.

driveteslacanada.ca, telediario.mx (in Spanish)