Tesla has announced that its factory near Berlin will be closed to all employees on Friday due to anticipated protests against a planned expansion. The decision to halt production lines on Friday was made in consideration of the protests, which are expected to take place outside the factory gates.
The factory normally operates Monday through Friday, with Thursday being a public holiday in Germany. As a result, Friday serves as a 'bridge day' between the holiday and the weekend. The shutdown was confirmed by a senior manufacturing director at the Tesla factory.
Protesters, including a coalition known as Disrupt, are opposing Elon Musk's plans to increase the production capacity of Tesla's only European factory. They argue that the expansion would require clearing forested areas and put a strain on local water resources.
The protests are scheduled to last four days, starting on Wednesday. Police in the state of Brandenburg, where the plant is located, have prepared for extensive operations to ensure public safety during the demonstrations.
Local residents previously voted against clearing forest land for Tesla's expansion plans, leaving the decision to local authorities. Disrupt contends that electric cars are not a sustainable solution due to the environmental impact of resource consumption and mining activities.
This is not the first time protests have disrupted operations at the Tesla factory. In March, activists claimed responsibility for an arson attack on an electricity pylon supplying power to the plant, resulting in a week-long closure.
The upcoming protests are expected to involve various activities, including demonstrations, lectures, and panel discussions near the factory site. Public transportation to and from the factory will be suspended between Thursday and Sunday as a precautionary measure.
