Olaf Scholz supports Tesla Germany expansion despite protests
March 28, 2024
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Thursday he supports controversial plans to expand US electric vehicle maker Tesla’s factory near Berlin.
Tesla wants to double the size of its Gigafactory in Grünheide, on the outskirts of the German capital.
It drew opposition from several protesters, including residents and environmentalists.
Earlier this month, production at the factory was halted for nearly a week after an alleged arson severed power lines supplying electricity.
Tesla factory extension plans
In February, a non-binding vote in Grünheide found that more than 60% of local residents were against the planned expansion.
But the chancellor pointed to another U.S. automaker, Ford, which had a factory for nearly 100 years in Cologne in western Germany, saying the automaker and the municipality were able to work together to achieve success.
“That’s why I’m in favor of further expansion of the factory,” Scholz told Thursday’s edition of Märkische Allgemeine newspaper
Some people fear that the expansion will contaminate drinking water, as it is partially in a water protection area. Others are unhappy because it would involve cutting down nearby trees.
Sabotage at Tesla interrupts production
Tesla’s proposal to expand its electric vehicle factory includes plans to build a charging station, warehouses and a company kindergarten.
A left-wing group said it carried out an attack on an electricity pole near the plant that caught fire, causing power cuts at the plant and nearby towns earlier this month.
In the interview with Märkische AllgemeineScholz described it as “an act of terrorism.
“Police and security authorities must do everything they can to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice,” he said.
Source: DW
Lori Barajas is an accomplished journalist, known for her insightful and thought-provoking writing on economy. She currently works as a writer at 247 news reel. With a passion for understanding the economy, Lori’s writing delves deep into the financial issues that matter most, providing readers with a unique perspective on current events.