Tesla’s German plant has run into pushback on multiple occasions, as protestors opposed to the automaker’s expansion in the region have been very public with their stance. Most recently, a group of around 800 people gathered at the Tesla plant near Berlin, but the situation quickly went sideways, resulting in multiple injuries and arrests.
Officials said that 16 people were arrested on charges ranging from damaging new vehicles to breaking into a local airfield. The injuries list included 21 police officers, though Tesla CEO Elon Musk still felt it appropriate to ask, “Why do the police let the left-wing protestors off so easily?” on Twitter/X. Police said that they prevented protestors from entering the plant and noted that they had taken several into custody.
In addition to opposing Tesla’s local expansion, protestors want to bring attention to the environmental impacts of the automaker’s battery supply chains, including problems caused by lithium mining in South America. While the industry may move past some of the worst adverse side effects of future battery chemistries, the situation won’t change fast enough to appease protestors.
Tesla announced plans to shutter the German facility for a day on Friday this week but didn’t connect it to the protests. Activists haven’t relented after years of protests, and back in March, a group set fire to a high-voltage electricity pylon, causing another stoppage at the plant.
[Image: Maurizio Fabbroni via Shutterstock]
Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by subscribing to our newsletter.
