How Stupid Is the Sabotage of Tesla's Berlin Factory?

Any act of malice is at least reprehensible, and at worst, foolish. But why attack the Tesla Gigafactory in Berlin?

Environmental activists opposed to Tesla destroyed an electric pole near the massive factory in an act that clearly was intentional. A small German far-left group called « Vulkan Gruppe » claimed responsibility for the sabotage shortly afterward. The deliberate fire caused a widespread power outage affecting certain districts of Berlin as well. The sabotage forced Tesla to suspend vehicle production, and it is now announced that production of the Model Y will resume at the end of next week. Despite these challenges, Tesla employees, victims despite themselves, are holding strong, and the management has vowed that the complex will emerge stronger than ever from the criminal fire.

Neither Green nor Black

While the symbolism of the attack is strong, one might wonder how smart it really is. Electric vehicle production is by no means zero emissions or virtuous, as is well established and recognized fact. Manufacturing combustion engine cars is even less so, and what about the chemical, plastics, or even cosmetics industries…

Production per vehicle at Giga Berlin uses only 2.28 cubic meters of water, which is 33% less than the industry average of 3.68 cubic meters. The facility also recycles up to 100% of its industrial water. Furthermore, Tesla has installed more than 8 MW of solar panels. Since the manufacturer cleared forests to build its Gigafactory, it has also replanted a significant number of trees. Nothing is ever perfect, but why attack those doing better than others?

45% of employees commute by public transport. For those driving electric cars, the complex hosts 500 wall connectors, making it the largest electric vehicle charging park in the world. Most importantly, Giga Berlin supports the community by providing stable jobs. Of the 12,500 people currently working at Giga Berlin, 1,500 were previously unemployed, and another 700 were long-term unemployed.

The symbol remains. Attacking the combustion engine car no longer makes sense, as its disappearance is forecast in the short term. So, let’s go after electric vehicles, and who better than Tesla and its controversial CEO Elon Musk to demonize this industry? This week, once again, an attack was made on this symbol, without considering the thousands of people who depend on it for their livelihoods. Sad and disheartening…