Environmental Protesters Splash Paint on Tesla Cybertruck in Germany

Environmental Activists Target Tesla Cybertruck in Germany

Environmental activists have caused a stir in Germany by vandalizing a Tesla Cybertruck at a Tesla store in Hamburg, marking the latest attack on the company’s innovative electric trucks.

Incident Overview

On Saturday, a video surfaced on X (formerly known as Twitter), depicting a group of activists clad in orange vests splashing orange paint on a Cybertruck displayed at the Hamburg Tesla store. The activists also held a painted banner reading "Gepanzert in die Katastrophe," which translates to "armored in the catastrophe."

Letzte Generation übergießt einen Cybertruck von Tesla mit Farbe. Damit greifen sie einen der wenigen ausländischen Investoren an, die bereits sind, die deutsche Energiewende voranzutreiben. pic.twitter.com/vLFqqRr4UB

— Junge Freiheit (@Junge_Freiheit) July 13, 2024

Elon Musk’s Response

Elon Musk took to X to endorse a comment from another user regarding the incident, simply replying, "Absolutely." This brief response encapsulated his stance on the matter and suggested a broader frustration with the recent attacks.

A String of Attacks

This incident is not isolated. It follows a series of similar attacks on Tesla’s Cybertrucks and its Gigafactory in Grünheide, Germany. Just last month, multiple Cybertrucks in a Fort Lauderdale, California showroom were defaced with graffiti, though the damage was promptly cleaned.

During Tesla’s high-profile Cybertruck delivery event in November, the company received threats of a potential “mass casualty event,” leading to the arrest of the individual responsible for the threats.

Ongoing Protests at Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg

Tesla’s German operations have also been a significant target for protests. Activists have repeatedly attacked the Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg. In March, protesters set fire to a power substation near the Grünheide facility, temporarily halting production. Additionally, activists built treehouses and occupied nearby forests to thwart future factory expansions.

In May, the situation escalated when approximately 1,000 protesters from the Disrupt Alliance group attempted to storm Giga Berlin. This confrontation led to 23 arrests, 76 criminal complaints, and injuries to 27 police officers.

Elon Musk’s Thoughts

Elon Musk has publicly questioned the targeted nature of these attacks. “Something very strange is happening since Tesla was the only car company to be attacked,” Musk noted on a follow-up post on X.

German officials criticize anti-Tesla Giga Berlin protests

Concluding Thoughts

The recent attack on the Tesla Cybertruck in Hamburg underscores the rising tension between environmental activists and Tesla’s operations in Germany. While the motives of the activists are tied to environmental concerns and resistance to industrial expansion, the focus on Tesla—a key player in the push for sustainable energy—adds a layer of complexity to these protests.

For all the latest updates in the world of electric vehicles, including further developments regarding Tesla’s situation in Germany, follow us on X at @automotivefyi or visit Automotive.fyi.

William Kouch,
Editor of Electric Vehicles,
Automotive.fyi