Tesla has stopped manufacturing at its Berlin manufacturing facility after a bunch of activists set hearth to an electrical energy pylon servicing the manufacturing facility and close by cities.
The activists, who name themselves the Volcano Group, printed a 2500-word letter claiming accountability for the assault whereas calling CEO Elon Musk a “technofascist”.
It accused Tesla of “consuming earth, resources, people, workers and in return spitting out 6000 SUVs, killer cars and monster trucks each week”.
The letter was signed Agua De Pau – the identify of a volcano within the Azores – and described the arson assault as a “gift” to mark this yr’s International Women’s Day (8 March).
These are both the dumbest eco-terrorists on Earth or they’re puppets of those that don’t have good environmental targets.Stopping manufacturing of electrical autos, quite than fossil gas autos, ist extrem dumm.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 5, 2024
Musk has responded to the assault, posting on X: “These are either the dumbest eco-terrorists on Earth or they’re puppets of those who don’t have good environmental goals. Stopping production of electric vehicles, rather than fossil fuel vehicles, ist extrem dumm.”
According to German information company DPA, Michael Stübgen, the inside minister of the Brandenburg area, mentioned the fireplace seemed to be intentional.
He mentioned: “If the preliminary findings are confirmed, it is going to be a perfidious assault on our electrical energy infrastructure.”
The hearth did not unfold to the manufacturing facility itself however did go away it and the encompassing cities with out energy, due to warmth harm to a high-voltage transmission line.
In the letter, the activists broke down precisely how they broken the pylon: “We started the fire big and high with lots of car tires to weaken the steel structure and cause the mast to become unstable … this can lead to buckling effects, twisting or deflection. That was our intention.”
All of the power’s 12,500 staff have been evacuated and despatched dwelling however have been advised the constructing is in a “safe state”.
In day-to-day operation, the power produces the Tesla Model Y crossover and battery cells for all Tesla EVs.
The assault got here after Tesla revealed plans to develop the manufacturing facility – which it opened in March 2022 – to incorporate a freight depot, warehouses and a kindergarten for staff’ youngsters.