Radical leftist organization alleges responsibility for sabotage at Tesla’s German factory

The Vulkangruppe, a far-left group, claimed responsibility for a suspected arson attack on the Gigafactory, Tesla’s only plant in Europe. The attackers allegedly set fire to high-voltage lines, causing a blackout and halting production at the factory. The group cited concerns about the environmental impact of the plant and its effect on the local water supply. The police launched an investigation into the arson, but cautioned against premature speculation on the responsibility for the attack.

Michael Stübgen, the Interior Minister for Brandenburg state, condemned the attack as a perfidious assault on the electricity infrastructure. Thousands of people were left without power, and the rule of law would react with severity to such acts of sabotage. Tesla stated that the production facilities were safe after the shutdown, and workers were sent home. The company was unable to determine when production would resume. The incident was the latest problem to hit the factory, following previous production halts due to shipping delays caused by Yemeni rebel attacks in the Red Sea.

The Gigafactory started production in 2022 after a challenging approval and construction process. Tesla aimed to expand the site and increase production to meet the growing demand for electric cars in Europe, facing off against competitors shifting away from combustion engines. The expansion plans faced opposition from local residents, who voted against the project in a non-binding ballot. The citizens of Grünheide raised concerns, prompting Tesla to consider rethinking its plans in response to the vote.

Environmental activists opposed to the expansion plans set up a protest camp near the factory last week. Stop Tesla, the group behind the camp, shared solidarity with the workers and local residents affected by the blackout. The activists were concerned about deforestation and potential threats to local drinking water supplies. Elsewhere, Tesla faced challenges in Sweden, where a strike over a collective wage agreement has lasted for over four months. The company reported lower fourth-quarter operating profits despite increased revenues, warning of slower volume growth in the year ahead.

The arson attack on the Gigafactory highlighted the tensions surrounding Tesla’s expansion plans and the environmental impact of its operations. The blackout caused by the sabotage disrupted production and left thousands without power. The company faced issues not only in Germany but also in Sweden, where a prolonged strike and financial concerns loomed. The conflict between Tesla and local residents, environmental activists, and government authorities underscored the challenges of balancing economic growth and environmental sustainability in the transition to electric vehicles. Tesla’s response to the incident and its future plans would be closely watched as it navigates these complex issues.