Eco-vandals slash tyres on driver’s SUV branding it a ‘gas guzzler’ – even though it is electric

Eco-vandals have slashed the tyres on a SUV and accused the owner of harming the environment with his ‘gas guzzler’, even though the vehicle is fully electric.

The anonymous driver had his electric DS 3 targeted by a group calling themselves Reclaim Our Communities on Tuesday. 

The activists, who deflated the tyres of more than 100 SUVs and 4x4s in Bristol last October, made this latest attack on the grounds that his ‘gas guzzler kills’.

While also allegedly leaving lentils in the valve caps in their bid to rid the roads of SUVs.

A pamphlet left on his car by the Reclaim our Community group

It’s sister group, The Tyre Extinguishers boasts a similar goal of ‘making it impossible to own an SUV in the world’s urban areas’.

Going as far as to have section on its website to tell its members ‘how to spot an SUV’ and ‘how to deflate an SUV tyre’ sections.

Among their top tips are: ‘target posh areas’, ‘practice on a bicycle tyre’ and ‘bring some friends’.

Theses vigilantes sneak out into the dead of night to affluent areas of the country and deflate the tyres of ‘gas-guzzling’ 4x4s including Range Rovers, Mazdas and Volkswagens. 

Over the past two years they have hit vehicles owners in London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol, but have also taken their activism around the globe, striking in France, Germany and the US as well.

The image shared in this latest incident showed the tyre burst open beyond repair, with liquid leaking out of the gashes made in the rubber.

Another image shows the note left by the vandals which attempts to explain their cause and threatening to ‘escalate [their] actions’ unless their demands for the government are met.

The full note reads: ‘Attention: Your gas guzzler kills.

‘We have deflated one or more of your tyres. We did this because driving around in your SUV vehicle has huge consequences.

‘SUVs are the second-largest cause of the rise in CO2 emissions over the past decade, more than the aviation industry.

‘SUVs cause more air pollution in your neighbourhood than smaller cars. SUVs are also more likely to kill people in collisions.

‘The world is facing a climate emergency. So far, the impacts on you have probably been minimal.

‘But according to the UN, millions of people are already dying from climate change related causes – drought, floods and forced migration.

‘The UN estimates 1 billion climate refugees by 2050. We need immediate action to reduce emissions.’

Stock image of an electric DS 3, which the group mistook for a petrol car on Tuesday 

It continued: ‘We have pursued many democratic avenues in an attempt to affect change: writing to MPs and attending peaceful protests. No real change has occurred.

‘In fact, we see the opposite: the government have since supported 100 new licenses for oil and gas.

‘We are left with no other option. We have three demands for the government: improve cycling infrastructure, provide free public transport, insulate homes.

‘We will escalate our actions until the demands are met. For more information see www.tyreextinguishers.com.

‘Reclaim Our Community.’

The man shared the images of his vandalised car to social media writing: ‘Had my tyres slashed for driving a ‘gas guzzler’. My car is electric.’

The post has since received over 22,800 likes and more than 3,200 comments from social media users left disgruntled by the group’s vandalism.

One user said: ‘Stupid s***s. Replacing a tyre also puts a huge strain on the environment.’

Another added: ‘What’s even funnier is tyres pollute even more than car exhausts. Tiny microplastics wear off your tire and are shed into the environment. These people are morons and terrorists.’

A third commented: ‘Making demands and saying they will escalate their actions if the government doesn’t comply sounds a lot like terrorism.’

Another wrote: ‘To quote my wife: ‘At least it’s only the bottom bit of the tyre that’s flat’. Bless her.’

A fifth replied: ‘What a bunch of p***s. Check for cameras that might have covered your car and report that s*t.

‘We have demands for the government’… proceeds to harass private citizens. That’s f***ing terrorism right there.’