Environmental activists have set up a protest camp in a forest near Berlin to oppose the expansion plans of electric carmaker Tesla's first plant in Europe. The activists, numbering between 80 and 100, have been camping in the forest since early Thursday as part of an initiative called 'Stop Tesla.'
They have erected tents and built treehouses, some several meters above the ground, in a tactic reminiscent of previous German environmental protests. The protest has been allowed to continue until at least March 15 by the police, who are monitoring the situation but have not deemed it necessary to disband the camp.
Tesla inaugurated the factory in Gruenheide, just outside Berlin, in March 2022, marking its entry into the European market and posing a challenge to established German automakers. The company now seeks to expand the facility by adding a freight depot, warehouses, and a company kindergarten, a move that would involve clearing over 100 hectares (247 acres) of forest.
Opposition to Tesla's expansion plans has been voiced by environmentalists and local groups concerned about potential impacts on the area's water supply. In a nonbinding vote held in mid-February, residents of the Gruenheide municipality rejected Tesla's proposals, which still await approval from local authorities.
The Gruenheide plant currently employs approximately 12,500 people, underscoring its significance as a major employer in the region.
