Fifteen Tesla vehicles were set ablaze on the night of March 3, 2025, in Plaisance-du-Touch, a suburb southwest of Toulouse. The arson attack was claimed the following day by a group identifying as being part of the ultra-left movement.
According to initial investigations, the incident occurred at a Tesla dealership where eight cars were completely destroyed, and seven others were damaged. The perpetrators, who have openly claimed responsibility, allegedly committed the act in response to actions attributed to Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk.
In a post on the anarchist blog IAATA, the group described the attack as a reaction against what they perceive as the “fascist” tendencies of Musk. The post reads: “As the elites continue with their fascist salutes, we have decided to make our statement by targeting a Tesla dealership in the night of March 2 to 3, 2025, in Plaisance-du-Touch.”
The blog explained the method used to ignite the vehicles, involving gasoline cans, and suggested that more efficient means could have been employed. Evidence of the break-in was visible at the site, with a section of the fence cut to facilitate entry.
The Toulouse-Mirail Gendarmerie has opened an investigation into the incident, which resulted in an estimated damage of approximately 507,000 euros, according to Tesla. All affected vehicles were new and owned by the company, not private individuals, as clarified by the Toulouse prosecutor’s office.
This arson attack is part of a larger anti-Tesla movement that has seen similar incidents globally, from Germany to the United States and the Netherlands. The anarchist faction behind the attack expressed solidarity with international actions targeting Tesla and the broader anarchist conflict.
Tesla has yet to comment on this specific attack, and the Toulouse prosecutor’s office has not issued further statements concerning the claims. The incident adds to a series of arson attacks in the region, including damage to construction equipment and vehicles belonging to local authorities in recent months, highlighting an ongoing trend of targeted vandalism.
The investigation continues as authorities work to identify those responsible for the arson and the broader implications of these protest actions.
