California has again accused the tech giant, Tesla, of mismanaging hazardous waste. Twenty-five counties within the state, including Los Angeles, San Joaquin, and San Francisco, all claim that the electric vehicle maker, Elon Musk, mislabeled and then dumped harmful materials in about 101 state landfills not intended for the materials. Civil law in California stipulates that such violators can be made to pay up to as much as$70.000 per day.

Why does it matter?

The case is reminiscent of two other lawsuits levelled against the tycoon. In 2019, the company settled with the US Environmental Protection Agency, paying 31,000 in fines. Then again, in 2022, a$275,000 penalty was paid to the EPA for Musk's breach of the commitment to keep records and to implement plans to minimise the distillation of air pollutants. The claim is also significant as 20 of California's 30 counties count among the county's most polluted areas.