A suspected arson attack on Tuesday caused major damage to Tesla’s Grunheide Gigafactory in Germany, with the firm reporting that the anticipated losses were close to $1 billion.
The incident resulted in a complete halt in production, as workers were evacuated amidst a power outage that authorities believe was a deliberate act of arson.
Arson Investigation Initiated
The state of Brandenburg’s interior ministry reported that unidentified individuals were suspected of intentionally setting fire to a high-voltage transmission line on a power pylon, prompting a criminal investigation by the state criminal investigation department.
The attack was claimed by a far-left group named Volcano Group, which accused Tesla of extreme exploitation conditions and called for the “complete destruction of the gigafactory. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and authorities are examining an email claiming responsibility.
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, expressed disapproval of the attack and disdain for the perpetrators on social media. Posting in German on the previous Twitter platform X, he wrote, “Stopping production of electric vehicles, rather than fossil fuel vehicles, ist extrem dumm,” which roughly translates to “extremely stupid.”
Musk’s Assessment of the Attackers
Tesla stockholder Elon Musk implied that the attacks were either “the dumbest eco-terrorists on Earth or puppets of those who don’t have good environmental goals.” Musk holds about 13% of the company’s shares.
The suspected arson comes amidst ongoing environmental protests near the Gigafactory, where activists have been opposing Tesla’s expansion plans.
The company aims to add a freight depot, warehouses, and a company kindergarten, necessitating the feeling of over 100 hectares (247 acres) of forest. The local opposition to these plans was evident in a nonbinding vote in mid-February, where residents rejected Tesla’s expansion proposals.
The early morning fire not only disrupted Tesla’s production but also led to a power outage in nearby towns, including Grunheide. While electricity was restored to surrounding areas within a few hours, the Gigafactory remained without energy, with authorities estimating it would take several days to restore power.
The alleged arson has had a major impact on Tesla’s operations in Germany, as reported by Andre Thierig, the plant manager, who told reporters that it would take several days for manufacturing to resume. This episode demonstrates the difficulties Tesla faces navigating not only criticism from environmentalists but also possible dangers to its infrastructure.
