The construction of the Tesla factory in Brandenburg’s drinking water protection area was already controversial. Exclusive research by star now show: Since the factory opened, at least 23 accidents have occurred on the site. According to experts, the entire region’s drinking water supply is at risk.
This text is an excerpt from a 14-page report in the current issue of stern, which you can also read online here. He reveals accidents at work, environmental disasters and political entanglements. To better understand the connections, the chapters on environmental problems have been slightly edited in places.
In the clearing of a Brandenburg pine forest, André Bähler opens the massive metal lid of a well. Bähler, 54 years old, tall and gray-haired, is the head of the local water supplier. The shadows in his eye sockets tell of the restless nights he’s had more often recently. Because there is a groundwater well under the metal lid. On the way there, the water flows under Tesla’s first German factory. Bähler is therefore wondering how long he can guarantee the people in eastern Brandenburg clean drinking water.
System of silence
The first European electric car factory from the US car manufacturer Tesla is only one and a half kilometers away from Bählers Brunnen as the crow flies. In March 2022, Tesla boss Elon Musk, one of the richest people in the world, opened the factory in the Brandenburg community of Grünheide. Since then, Tesla has been producing the Model Y there, one of the best-selling cars in the world. Now research shows star, at what price this happens. The plant therefore endangers employees, the environment and residents. The star had access to extensive government documents. And spoke to dozens of employees in the state of Brandenburg and to people who are or were working in the factory as production workers, factory firefighters or garbage collectors.
Source: Stern
