Elon Musk wants to reopen Tesla in defiance of lockdown orders

Yesterday we brought you news that Elon Musk had suggested he’d yank Tesla from its Californian factory base for a new home in Texas or Nevada, due to his disagreement over the local county’s industrial lockdown restrictions. As other car factories across the world get going again after the peak coronavirus lockdown, Tesla’s Fremont factory has remained dormant. 

Life happens fast where Elon’s concerned. Today, the matter looks to have escalated once more. Musk said in a tweet posted overnight: “Tesla is restarting production today against Alameda County rules. I will be on the line with everyone else. If anyone is arrested, I ask that it only be me.”

The Tesla boss has been vocal in recent weeks at what he sees as civil liberties being infringed by the lockdown. Official documentation provided by the office of Governor for the state of California explicitly says “while the state will be moving from Stage 1 to Stage 2, counties can choose to continue more restrictive measures in place based on their local conditions, and the state expects some counties to keep their more robust stay at home orders in place beyond May 8".

Tesla’s renegade boss is no stranger to a feud, nor an online rant getting him into trouble. Elon Musk vs Alameda County could be the next episode of the saga. Stay tuned.