Shortly before 6 a.m., the activists drove up to the Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg in their VW van.

Almost 40 then made their way to a construction site and to the power plant that the company is currently converting from coal to gas operation.

Some of this group, who call themselves "Get off the gas", chained themselves to excavators and rails, others abseiled themselves from coal excavators with banners.

Carsten Germis

Business correspondent in Hamburg.

  • Follow I follow

    The group's message was summed up by one of the squatters on Friday: “We are racing inexorably into the climate catastrophe.

    For years it has been clear that we urgently need a turnaround in mobility. ”Instead of relying on electric cars like VW and politicians, she called for solutions such as free local public transport, car-free, bicycle-friendly cities and the expansion of the rail network.

    "We do not tolerate any violations of the law"

    While Volkswagen reacted with forbearance and understanding when Greenpeace activists stole more than 1,000 car keys a few days ago, the top-selling automaker in Europe showed harshness in the event of "off the gas" and, according to a company spokesman, filed a criminal complaint on Friday. "The activists who have illegally entered the factory premises in Wolfsburg and are trying to block the power supply are not meeting the right address," said the spokesman.

    He pointed out that the power plants at the Wolfsburg main plant are currently being converted from coal to highly efficient gas turbines for 400 million euros. From next year on, the CO2 emissions in electricity and heat generation will be permanently reduced by 1.5 million tons - according to VW, this corresponds to the CO2 emissions of currently around 870,000 cars per year.

    VW affirmed that it is “always interested in an open and solution-oriented exchange, especially with environmental and climate protection organizations”.

    Only: "We do not tolerate any violations of the law that are committed with such actions by the people involved," said the spokesman.

    He announced that the company would exhaust all legal options and examine any claims for damages.

    The power plant at the VW plant also supplies thousands of households and the public infrastructure in the area with electricity and heat.

    Greenpeace activists steal keys

    The activists, on the other hand, were obviously not only interested in climate protection. “The profits of corporations like VW must never count more than a livable, climate-friendly future on this planet. That's what we stand for today, ”said the activist. It is nothing new that self-proclaimed climate protectors draw attention to themselves with publicity campaigns and strong images, especially at VW. The railroad tracks to the plant and the power plant were always the target of such actions.

    That is why many observers noticed how cautious the VW leadership was recently when Greenpeace activists in Emden - the largest export port for VW - stole more than 1000 keys from new cars parked there and brought them to the Zugspitze.

    CEO Herbert Diess responded to a Greenpeace video with an “invitation” to pick up the keys from the Zugspitze, with a Twitter message: “Glad Zugspitze, but today I can't manage anymore - don't want to use the plane.

    Coming soon if the weather is good? "

    Ralf Brandstätter is understanding

    The head of the VW core brand, Ralf Brandstätter, was particularly understanding after the campaign in Emden.

    He said on social networks that he understood that “many things are not changing fast enough”.

    Society needs critical voices, he even praised, because “not least the Fridays for Future movement has provided great dynamism in climate protection”.

    Internally, this was interpreted by many as an ingratiation to lawbreakers, can be heard in the company.

    Perhaps that is why VW again expressed its willingness to enter into dialogue on Friday and again pointed out that the company was the first automotive company to have committed itself to the Paris climate targets, but at the same time made it clear that legal violations are not regarded as petty offenses.