Tesla must stop releasing toxic emissions from Fremont factory

FREMONT, Calif. — Tesla must address air quality issues at its San Francisco Bay Area electric vehicle manufacturing plant after racking up more than 100 violations for allegedly releasing toxic emissions into the atmosphere over the past five years, an air quality council said Tuesday.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District planned to issue a written abatement order later this week following Tuesday’s announcement. Each of the 112 violations can emit hundreds of pounds of illegal air pollution, the board said.

The plant is located in the San Francisco Bay Area city of Fremont, and the agency’s independent hearing panel singled out the plant’s paint shop operations as a specific problem. The panel ordered Tesla to hire an independent consultant and prepare a draft implementation plan for approval, which it would then have to execute to stop the toxic emissions.

“Tesla’s continued violations at their Fremont facility pose a risk to public health and air quality in the surrounding community,” Philip Fine, executive director of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, said in a press release. “This order is critical to ensuring Tesla takes swift and effective action to stop harmful emissions and comply with all air quality regulations to protect the health of those living near the facility.”

Tesla’s public relations department did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

The board’s announcement comes as Tesla recalls its futuristic new Cybertruck pickup for the fourth time in the United States to address issues with trim parts that can come loose and front windshield wipers that can break down.

In February, a California judge ordered the company to pay $1.5 million as part of a settlement of a civil case alleging the company mishandled hazardous waste at its auto service centers, its energy centers and a factory.

The complaint filed in San Joaquin County alleged illegal disposal of hazardous waste and violation of laws governing waste storage and management. Prosecutors said Tesla cooperated with the investigation and acted to improve compliance with laws that were brought to its attention by prosecutors.