Two Journalists Broke Into Tesla's Gigafactory And Attacked Guards With Their 4x4

In case you’re out of the EV loop, Tesla is building a huge ‘Gigafactory’out in the Nevadan desert, which will allow it to produce batteries much more quickly and for a reduced cost. Naturally, interest in the factory’s construction has been high, so Tesla has employed guards to protect the site from intruders.

Last Friday, two journalists from the Reno Gazette Journal climbed through a fence and attempted to take photographs of the site. Two safety guards caught the pair, who refused to identify themselves (despite wearing media passes, and arriving in an RGJ branded 4x4), and escorted them to the exit to wait for police to arrive. Instead of going quietly, however, the pair tried to flee in their vehicle by reversing into, and injuring, the guard who was noting down their number plate.

Security guards then attempted to approach the vehicle, which again accelerated towards them, striking one employee in the waist. Eventually police arrived and arrested one of the men, saying both would be charged with trespassing.

In a statement, Tesla said:

"We appreciate the interest in the Gigafactory, but the repeated acts of trespassing, including by those working for the RGJ, is illegal, dangerous and needs to stop."

"In particular, we will not stand for assaults on our employees and are working with law enforcement to investigate this incident and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice."

The Gigafactory is set to be completed in 2017, and should allow Tesla to up its output to 500,000 cars per year. The huge factory is at the centre of Musk’s plan to create affordable long range, high quality electric vehicles by using economies of scale.