Suspected Arson Attacks on Tesla's Superchargers and Vehicles

A series of arson attacks on Tesla infrastructure has been reported in recent weeks, with incidents occurring in the United States, Canada, Europe, and France.

On March 3, a fire broke out at a Tesla Supercharger station in Littleton, Massachusetts. The attack, which occurred at a busy shopping center, caused significant damage to seven charging stations. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Local authorities deemed the fire suspicious and have launched an investigation.

Hours after the Massachusetts fire, a Tesla dealership near Toulouse, France, was targeted in another arson attack. At least twelve Tesla vehicles were set ablaze, with eight of them being completely destroyed. Local prosecutors have opened an investigation into this incident, which is among the most severe instances of anti-Tesla vandalism in Europe.

The attacks on Tesla infrastructure follow a growing trend of protests and backlash against the company and its CEO, Elon Musk. Protesters view Tesla as a symbol of Musk's political influence and are attempting to stigmatize the brand.

Tesla has commented on the fires, stating that no owners were plugged in at the time, and that the damaged Supercharger posts and wiring will be replaced in less than 48 hours. The company has also previously stated that it would pursue legal action against vandals targeting its charging network.

The timing of the arson attacks suggests that Tesla is facing an increasingly hostile environment in certain regions. The incidents come at a time of heightened political tensions surrounding Musk and his role in the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under President Donald Trump.

A reward of US$5,000 has been offered for information that could help solve the case of the Massachusetts Supercharger station fire. Investigators are actively seeking leads in both the Massachusetts and French cases.

Protests at Tesla stores and service centers across Canada, the U.S., and Europe have been observed in recent weeks, with demonstrators calling for boycotts and targeting Tesla infrastructure.

The estimated damages from the arson attacks exceed €700,000 (C$1,060,000/US$735,000). Despite the setbacks, Tesla continues to work towards expanding its charging network and delivering electric vehicles to customers around the world.