Tesla’s Gigafactory outside of Berlin has been temporarily shut down after an arson attack on a power substation supplying electricity to Europe’s largest electric car factory. A left-wing extremist group claimed responsibility, citing Elon Musk’s “techno-fascist” policies as their primary motivation.
Brandenburg’s centre-left Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke was quick to label Tuesday’s attack an act of terrorism, which means federal prosecutors are expected to lead the investigation.
Production ceased at the site early Tuesday morning after a major power outage caused by an act of arson on a nearby pylon. Tesla workers briefly left the site as the company announced an unplanned shutdown.
The attack was subsequently claimed in an online letter by the left-wing extremist group “Vulkan Gruppe” (Volcano Group) and turned off power to approximately 2,000 residents in addition to the Tesla factory. No injuries were reported. A militant anarchist sect, Vulkan Gruppe has previously been behind an attack on the same Tesla factory in 2021 and conducted the act of sabotage to strike against what they called “green capitalism,” according to their statement.
“We ignited a beacon against capitalism, patriarchy, colonialism, and Tesla.… the goal of our sabotage was the biggest possible blackout of the gigafactory,” the statement proclaimed. The damage caused by the arson attack was expected to be several million euros.
Already plagued by reduced production caused by a slowdown in the arrival of parts from Asia due to the crisis in the Red Sea, Tesla’s factory in Berlin is regarded as a key cog in Germany’s green transition.
Left-wing groups have previously lambasted the operation, however, due to inordinate use of electricity as well as heavy state subsidies. Last year, Berlin locals and environmentalists sued Tesla over water permits to prevent future expansions of the 11,500-employee factory.
There is a renewed focus on left-wing extremism in Germany this week as police continue their manhunt against the remaining members of the Red Army Faction after a standoff in Berlin over the weekend.
