Tesla’s Berlin plant halts production after suspected arson

A Tesla A plant outside Berlin was reportedly forced to halt production on Tuesday after an electrical substation was set on fire in a suspected arson attack.

The factory in Grünheide, located southeast of the German capital, was left without electricity, as well as parts of the wider city, Reuters reported, citing the German newspaper Berliner Zeitung. The newspaper adds that bomb disposal teams have been dispatched to the site.

Police in Brandenburg told CNBC that the incident initially appeared to be arson, adding that they are currently investigating who was responsible. Tesla was not immediately available for comment when contacted by CNBC.

Police received a report of a burning electric pole in the Gosen-Noi Tsitau area early on Tuesday, Reuters reported.

It comes as Tesla’s plans to expand its Gruenheide plant have met fierce opposition.

The American carmaker aims to double its capacity to 100 gigawatt hours battery production and 1 million cars per year. However, last month the local voted against plans to destroy nearby trees to make way for the enlarged plant.

Newspaper BZ linked the fire to environmental activists in the nearby area. CNBC could not independently verify the report, and local police reportedly would not comment on any possible connection.

Eco-activists began to occupy a forest near Tesla’s Gruenheide plant last week to protest expansion plans. The occupation began late Wednesday, with demonstrators building a dozen tree houses in the wooded area. The camp is expected to last a week, though a spokeswoman for the Stop Tesla campaign said DW Sunday that “the longer the occupation, the better”.