In a peculiar act of protest, a group of climate activists in the UK, self-identified as ‘The Tyre Extinguishers,’ deflated the tires of a Tesla Model X and labeled it a “gas guzzler” in a leaflet left on the windscreen, despite the vehicle being electric.
As reported by the BBC, the Tesla owner discovered the deflated tires when walking his dog, finding a leaflet under the windscreen wiper that stated, “Attention: Your gas guzzler kills.” The leaflet went on to explain the act, attributing it to the environmental impact of SUVs and claiming they are the second-largest contributor to the rise in CO2 emissions over the past decade, surpassing the aviation industry.
Expressing a mix of amusement and feeling “slightly violated” by the vandalism, the Tesla owner shared his perspective, stating, “It’s ironic because I was trying to do the right thing by buying an electric car.”
‘The Tyre Extinguishers’ defended their actions on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), asserting that electric cars are fair game in their pursuit of addressing the climate crisis. They argued against the notion of electrifying our way out of environmental challenges, emphasizing the dangers posed by SUVs and the persistent issue of air pollution.
The debate stirred responses from the online community, with one questioning the relevance of danger to road users in the context of climate change. Another pointed out a misconception about electric vehicles, noting that most of them use regenerative braking, reducing reliance on traditional brake pads.
This incident in the UK echoes a similar act in late August 2023 when a member of ‘The Tyre Extinguishers’ targeted approximately 20 SUVs in Toorak, an affluent suburb of Melbourne.
It’s worth noting that the group encourages its supporters to replicate these actions by deflating tires and leaving explanatory leaflets on windshields. However, such actions could potentially face legal consequences, as under Victoria’s Litter Act of 1987, placing leaflets on vehicles is considered an offense, with fines exceeding $950 applicable for each instance due to the potential environmental impact of the discarded materials.
