Seven Tesla charging stations were set on fire in Massachusetts and in another attack, a dozen of Tesla vehicles were torched at a dealership in Toulouse in France. In both cases, the authorities suspect it to be arson. The incidents of vandalism and destruction of property have been on the rise in the U.S. and Europe as the public has taken Elon Musk’s politics kindly.
Massachusetts fire
According to a police statement, a little after 1 am, the police and the fire authorities responded to a Tesla Supercharger station set on fire at the Point Shopping Center on Constitution Avenue in Littleton. After arriving at the scene, the authorities found many Tesla charging stations were “engulfed in flames and heavy, dark smoke”.
As the firefighters extinguished the fire, Littleton Electric Light and Water Department cut off power for safety reasons. The authorities announced that seven Tesla charging stations were damaged. The police have started the investigation, but based on the evidence found, this appeared to be an intentional set and are offering a reward of $5,000 for any information about this incident.
Due to the growing number of vandalism cases, the California-based electric vehicle maker has announced its intention to take legal action against the individuals responsible. The official Tesla Charging account on X has responded, stating, “We will press charges for vandalism at Superchargers.”
Tesla attack in France
Based on European media reports, twelve Tesla vehicles were torched out of which eight were completely burnt while four others were severely damaged. According to AFP, the Toulouse’s prosecutor’s office issued a statement that the evidence suggests that the incident was “not at all accidental”.
Speaking to AFP, Philippe Guyot, mayor of the Toulouse suburb of Plaisance-du-Touch, said that firefighters had quickly determined that the cause of the blaze was criminal and the dealership had not been targeted.