When Elon Musk pitched Austin on Tesla, he promised his massive car factory would be accompanied by an equally huge investment in the local environment. Now, five years later, plans appear to be taking shape.

It’s ironic that, as a pro-democracy and pro-climate group, we’re protesting against electric cars,” one activist said. “But you cannot sacrifice our democracy for one piece of the thing.”

The dramatic slide in Tesla’s share price has been arrested by news Elon Musk’s departure from his role within US President Donald Trump’s administration is imminent.