Elon Musk's Tesla hit with lawsuit for polluting California

Texas-based electric vehicle maker sued by non-profit over air pollution

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Web Desk
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Tesla accused of spreading pollution through its factory in California. — Reuters/File

Elon Musk's Tesla has been slapped with yet another lawsuit but this time it is about an environmental issue.

According to CNBC, the Texas-based electric vehicle maker is being sued by the non-profit Environmental Democracy Project for spreading air.

The complaint filed on Monday suggest's Tesla’s power plant has been emitting harmful pollutants in Fremont, California since January 2021.

It also stated that the company's factory is "exposing nearby resident and workers to excessive nitrogen oxides, arsenic, cadmium and other harmful chemicals".

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District regulators, in a statement, said, "Tesla violations are frequent, recurring, and can negatively affect public health and the environment."

The non-profit organisation has demanded that the company pays a civil fine up to $121,275 for violating the Clean Air Act, in addition to decreasing excess pollution.

Although Tesla has long boasted about the climate benefits of driving EV’s, its manufacturing processes proves otherwise.

Tesla landed at 89 on the 2023 Toxic 100 Air Polluters.

In 2022, it was fined $275,000 for failing to measure, track and maintain records about its own emissions or to minimise air pollutants from painting operations at the facility.

In addition, it has been sued by 25 counties in California alone, for mishandling of hazardous substances. In Germany, climate activists have been protesting against Tesla for building a factory outside Berlin by clearing out forests.