A dozen Tesla electric superchargers were targeted in an apparent arson attack in the central French town of St-Chamond, Loire, authorities reported on Sunday. The fire, which broke out overnight from Wednesday to Thursday in a supermarket car park, resulted in two chargers being completely destroyed, while others sustained significant damage.
Local police confirmed the incident to AFP, citing a report first published by the regional newspaper Le Progrès. A chilling message, “Anti-Tesla campaign born to burn,” was found painted in white on the car park floor, suggesting a deliberate and targeted attack.
Investigators have launched a probe into the incident under charges of “damage and destruction by fire,” though no arrests have been made so far. A police source noted that this was the first recorded attack against Elon Musk’s Tesla business in the Loire region.
This attack is part of a growing wave of anti-Tesla sentiment in Europe. Musk’s political affiliations, particularly his past advisory role to former U.S. President Donald Trump and his backing of European far-right parties, have sparked opposition in some circles. Earlier this month, a similar incident occurred near the southern French city of Toulouse, where an arson attack on a Tesla dealership left eight vehicles burned and four others badly damaged.
The hostility towards Tesla has not been limited to Europe. In the United States, a recent string of attacks on Tesla property prompted U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to label them as “nothing short of domestic terrorism.”
While the motives behind the attacks remain under investigation, they highlight the growing tensions surrounding Musk’s global influence and the broader debate over the expansion of electric vehicle infrastructure.
Authorities in France and other affected regions have vowed to tighten security around Tesla properties and other EV infrastructure to prevent further incidents. As Tesla continues its expansion, the company and law enforcement agencies worldwide will have to navigate the challenges posed by both ideological opposition and acts of vandalism.
For now, the St-Chamond attack remains a stark reminder of the risks Tesla faces in an increasingly polarized world.
