Tesla Factory in Berlin Targeted by Sabotage: Extremists Claim Responsibility Amid Environmental Protests
Production at Tesla’s electric vehicle plant near Berlin was halted and workers evacuated on Tuesday following a deliberate power outage. Authorities suspect sabotage, a suspicion confirmed when an extremist left-wing group, Vulkangruppe, claimed responsibility for the attack on a substation that led to the power cut at Tesla’s Berlin facility.
The logo of car manufacturer Tesla
Elon Musk, the owner of the factory, broke his silence on the matter, labeling the perpetrators as “foolish environmental terrorists.” Musk criticized the group’s decision to target an electric vehicle production facility instead of a fossil fuel plant, pointing out the irony in their approach to environmental activism.
Elon called the Giga Berlin attack ‘extremely dumb’ and that’s what it is! I can’t believe how eco-terrorists are able to act like this 😠 #Tesla #Brandanschlag pic.twitter.com/ShGltuTV4B
— Tobi Mülhauser 🍕 (@TobiMuelhauser) March 5, 2024
This incident follows reports from the Brandenburg State Interior Ministry, suggesting that the fire set on a high-voltage electricity line was intentional. Brandenburg’s Interior Minister, Michael Stübgen, indicated that initial findings suggest a deliberate act of arson, potentially a “treacherous attack on our electricity infrastructure,” according to the German news agency DPA.
The fire broke out in the early hours, causing power outages in surrounding towns, including Grünheide, where the Tesla factory is located. This comes amid environmental activists staging protests in a forest near the factory, opposing Tesla’s expansion plans. The “Stop Tesla” protests saw activists erecting tents and treehouses, a tactic previously seen in German environmental protests.
🇩🇪GERMANY CONDEMNS ATTACK ON TESLA GIGAFACTORY
Calling the attack “a form of terrorism,” German politician Dietmar Woidke said: “It is obviously a serious attack on our critical infrastructure with consequences for thousands of people as well as many small and large businesses… https://t.co/tMOXpaDr0D pic.twitter.com/wnMNETKzu2
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) March 5, 2024
Opened in March 2022, Tesla’s Grünheide factory has been a challenge to German automakers in their own backyard. Tesla’s current expansion plans include adding a charging station warehouse, storage facilities, and a kindergarten, necessitating the clearance of over 247 acres of forest. These plans have faced opposition from environmentalists and local organizations concerned about potential impacts on water supplies.
In a non-binding vote held in mid-February, residents of the town opposed Tesla’s plans, which still require local authority approval. Approximately 12,500 individuals are employed at the Tesla facility, marking a significant investment in the region’s economic development.
| Event | Detail |
|---|---|
| Factory Affected | Tesla’s electric vehicle plant near Berlin |
| Cause of Disruption | Suspected deliberate sabotage leading to a power outage |
| Perpetrator | Extremist left-wing group, Vulkangruppe |
| Reaction from Elon Musk | Criticized the act as targeting the wrong type of manufacturing, calling the perpetrators “foolish environmental terrorists” |
| Official Response | Brandenburg State Interior Ministry and Minister Michael Stübgen confirmed suspicion of arson |
| Environmental Protests | Activists opposing Tesla’s expansion plans with demonstrations in nearby forests |
| Expansion Plans | Addition of facilities requiring the clearance of over 247 acres of forest, met with opposition from environmentalists and concerns over water supply impacts |
| Local Opposition | Residents voted against Tesla’s expansion plans in a non-binding vote |
| Employment | The Tesla facility employs approximately 12,500 workers |
This incident underscores the complexities of balancing environmental activism with the transition to greener technologies, highlighting the contentious nature of industrial expansion in sensitive ecological areas.
