Production has halted at an electric car factory in Brandenburg after a suspected arson caused a power outage.
Tesla has halted production at its German factory after power lines supplying power to the factory were set on fire in what a far-left group claimed was an act of “sabotage.”
Emergency services were called early Tuesday to reports of a burning power transmission tower near the Tesla factory southeast of Berlin.
The fire was extinguished, but damaged power lines cut off power to the electric car factory and surrounding villages in Brandenburg state.
Police announced that they have launched an investigation into suspicion of arson.
Far-left activists from the Vulcan Group claimed responsibility for the act.
“Through our acts of sabotage, we have set the goal of achieving the largest possible blackout of the Gigafactory,” the group said in a statement.
The group highlighted concerns about the factory's environmental impact and its impact on local water supplies.
“We feel connected to all the people who won't let Tesla turn off the tap,” the group said.
Brandenburg's interior minister, Michael Stuebgen, said if the arson was confirmed it would be a “despicable attack on our country's electricity infrastructure.”
“Thousands of people are deprived of basic food and are at risk. The rule of law responds with the utmost severity to such sabotage.”
Power was restored to nearby towns and villages hours later, but Tesla remained without power, and authorities said it would likely take several days to restore power to the factory.
Tesla opened a factory in March 2022, starting a challenge to German automakers at its home base.
The company wants to expand its facilities to add a cargo depot, warehouse, and a company kindergarten. These plans would require clearing more than 100 hectares (247 acres) of forest.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said of the possible attackers, saying, “They are either the dumbest eco-terrorists on the planet, or they are puppets of people who don't have proper environmental goals.'' Kada,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“It would be very foolish to stop producing electric cars instead of fossil fuel cars,” he added, using German.
The power outage came as environmental activists were protesting in the woods near Tesla's factory in opposition to Tesla's expansion plans. Dozens of activists pitched tents and built treehouses.
