Tesla, the electric vehicle manufacturer, has agreed to pay $1.5 million to settle a lawsuit filed by 25 California counties, accusing the company of mishandling hazardous waste at its facilities across the state. The settlement, approved by Judge Jayne Lee on Thursday in San Joaquin County state court, comes just two days after the counties filed the lawsuit.
The legal action claimed that Tesla improperly labeled waste, including paint materials, used batteries, and diesel fuel, at its facilities, and sent hazardous materials to landfills that are not equipped to handle such substances. The settlement includes a $1.3 million civil penalty and $200,000 to reimburse the counties for the investigation costs.
Tesla did not admit wrongdoing as part of the settlement. However, the company has committed to taking corrective actions, including implementing proper waste handling procedures and hiring a third-party auditor to examine its waste practices over the next five years.
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins highlighted the environmental impact of electric vehicle manufacturing, stating, “While electric vehicles may benefit the environment, the manufacturing and servicing of these vehicles still generate many harmful waste streams.”
The lawsuit alleged that Tesla violated state unfair business and hazardous waste management laws at approximately 101 facilities, including its manufacturing plant in Fremont. The company, reportedly cooperating with the investigation, has already initiated measures to quarantine and screen its waste
