Tesla is facing a fine of € 12 million in Germany for allegedly not properly handling the take-back and disposal of batteries. The fine, handed out by the German Federal Environmental Agency, is being challenged.
In Germany, car manufacturers are obliged to undertake or outsource the collection and / or disposal of battery packs to a third party. The ‘Umweltbundesamt’ ensures that this is arranged. That federal environmental agency has, according to the German newspaper Die Welt established that Tesla has not been able to do this and imposes a fine of € 12 million on the manufacturer. Tesla also reports this in its quarterly report, according to the newspaper.
Tesla states in the report that it does not recognize itself in the charge and that it ‘just takes in’ the battery packs. It would be an administrative matter and Tesla intends to challenge the fine. The company does not expect to experience a ‘material adverse effect’ from this case and appears confident that the fine will be waived.