Police prevent environmental activists from storming Tesla factory in Germany

Police carry an activist from a blockade at the access road to Neuhardenberg airfield in Germany (Patrick Pleul/dpa via AP)

German police have said they prevented hundreds of demonstrators from storming Tesla’s factory near Berlin during protests against the pioneering electric car maker over its environmental footprint.

Crowds of demonstrators gathered near the Grunheide factory, Tesla’s only European production base, on Friday carrying banners complaining about water consumption at the plant and advocating for public transport over private cars.