The Bay Area air-quality officials have launched an investigation into Tesla, accusing the electric automaker of releasing harmful toxins into the air from its Fremont car factory. The investigation revealed that Tesla allowed 112 illegal toxic releases, each containing up to 750 pounds of harmful contaminants since 2019.
The harmful emissions from Tesla’s factory can cause health issues, especially for vulnerable populations such as children, older people, and those with asthma. The district pointed to Tesla’s paint-spraying booths and paint-baking ovens as sources of the pollution.
Despite discussions between district officials and Tesla, the emissions have not been stopped. The district is now seeking an order to shut down the car-painting departments at the Fremont plant if Tesla does not agree to hire outside experts to address the issue.
In addition to the district’s investigation, an environmental group has filed a lawsuit against Tesla, claiming that the company’s ongoing pollutant releases are exposing residents and workers in the area to harmful chemicals, including arsenic. The lawsuit alleges that Tesla broke federal air quality rules more than 160 times between January 2021 and January 2024.
The Environmental Democracy Project, the nonprofit behind the lawsuit, is seeking a court order to prevent Tesla from violating air quality regulations and fines of up to $121,000 per day for each violation of the Clean Air Act. The lawsuit highlights the impact of Tesla’s pollution on communities of color, as the City of Fremont is one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse cities in the Bay Area.
Tesla has a history of regulatory and legal issues related to environmental violations, including fines for hazardous waste violations and violations of the Clean Air Act. The company’s CEO, Elon Musk, has been known to defy and disparage regulations and regulators in the past.