On May 10, 2024, police and environmentalists faced off in a forest near the Tesla Gigafactory electric vehicle factory near Grünheide, Germany.
Axel Schmidt | Getty Images
Climate protesters angry over Tesla’s plans to expand its Gigafactory in Berlin-Brandenburg, Germany, tried to break into the plant on Friday, according to a local police statement.
“Multiple unauthorized persons are trying to enter the Tesla factory,” Brandenburg police said Friday via X. “We are preventing this from happening.”
“The situation is constantly evolving,” a Brandenburg police spokesman told CNBC on Friday, adding that multiple roadblocks were in place in the area due to the demonstrations.
A Tesla spokesperson had no immediate comment when reached by CNBC on Friday.
An encampment has been set up near Tesla’s Brandenburg factory since Monday, with participation increasing since Wednesday and peaking on Thursday during the German bank holiday, police said.
On May 10, 2024, police confronted environmentalists in a forest near Tesla’s German Gigafactory.
Axel Schmidt | Getty Images
A spokesperson for Brandenburg police told CNBC that protest rallies are planned for Friday, including one near the Tesla factory and another with a march from the camp.
However, disruptions ensued, including attempts to break into Tesla offices and sit-ins on roads leading to roadblocks, the spokesman said.
Protesters also occupied an airport near the city of Neuhardenberg, lighting fireworks and blocking roads, according to police.
Police intervened, resulting in multiple arrests and the use of force. The spokesman added that the police operation was supported by neighboring countries and national forces.
According to a previous report by CNN on Wednesday, Tesla had asked employees to stay home on Friday and not enter the factory due to concerns about protests surrounding the Brandenburg plant.
André Thierig, senior director of manufacturing at Tesla’s factory, said on Tuesday Confirm with X The electric car maker will conduct a “one-day planned production shutdown” on Friday.
Tesla is undertaking a major expansion of its battery and vehicle assembly plant in Brandenburg, Germany, which is located in the Brandenburg district about an hour’s drive from Berlin.
Police guard the road leading to Neuhardenberg Airport. Tesla cars produced at the Grünheide plant are temporarily stored at the airport.
Patrick Puller | Image Alliance | Getty Images
Tesla’s planned expansion includes the design of rail freight terminals and storage facilities that could help it avoid dependence on other logistics providers and avoid production pauses due to parts shortages.
Tesla suffered a symbolic setback in February when locals voted against approving the factory expansion. However, the vote is non-binding and Tesla and local officials still intend to move forward with it.
Climate protesters have raised concerns about Tesla’s plan, which would require clearing about 250 acres of forest in a rural community of fewer than 8,000 residents near a nature reserve.
Tesla CEO Musk has previously lashed out at protesters targeting Tesla’s German Gigafactory. MarchX says They are “either the dumbest eco-terrorists on the planet or puppets of those without good environmental goals.”
—CNBC’s Lora Kolodny contributed to this report
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