“Eco-vigilantes” let down SUV tyres in protest against poor air quality

Activists targeted petrol, diesel and electrified vehicles across the country

“Eco-vigilantes” let down SUV tyres in protest against poor air quality

A newly-formed group of climate change protestors have this week been targeting SUVs as part of their air pollution campaign.

The group, known as The Tyre Extinguishers, let air out of the tyres of petrol, diesel and electrified SUVs.

They say their aim is to “make it impossible to own an SUV in the UK’s urban areas” because they create “unnecessary luxury emissions, flaunted by the wealthy”.

Areas in London, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge and Edinburgh were slapped with a leaflet, detailing the group’s motives, telling drivers not to “take it personally”.

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William Lowe, from Cambridge, told MailOnline: “I was just leaving the house this morning ironically to attend a sustainability and waste reduction meeting when I noticed the tyres on my electric 4×4 had been deflated and I found their leaflet on my windscreen.

“I was lucky enough that I had the means to re-inflate the tyre at my house so it was only a mild inconvenience which set me back on my day but nevertheless it was very frustrating.

“We use it for its intended purpose as we have to visit a farm at least twice a week which would otherwise be impossible for a normal car.

“This is by far the car with the lowest carbon footprint.

“We were very conscious about that.

“We’ve been responsible and went to great lengths to research the environmental impact – it’s not like I just purchased the cheapest option.

“It definitely seemed like the group are using a blunt tool to tackle what is actually a complex problem.”

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Marion Walker from The Tyre Extinguishers said: “Governments and politicians have failed to protect us from these massive unnecessary vehicles.

“SUVs are a climate disaster, they cause air pollution and are dangerous for other road users.

“Everyone hates them, apart from the people who drive them.

“Politely asking for climate action, clean air and safer streets has failed.

“It’s time for action.

“We have no leader – anyone can take part, wherever you are.

“Join us.”

3 Comments

  1. So when I drive off and crash my car killing myself/an innocent pedestrian due to tyres being under inflated, can they be pursued for manslaughter and/or criminal damage resulting from their actions!?

    Reply
  2. So if you have to call someone out & they turn up in their diesel recovery van or truck how does that reduce emissions?

    Reply
  3. I quote “you will have no trouble getting around by walking, cycling or using public transport”. I don’t (and I admit won’t) have an SUV but I do need a car as I live in a small Devon village with the nearest supermarket about 10 miles away. I can’t walk it, at 71 I’m not going to cycle it and there is no public transport to speak of. If I got a bus there then I would have to wait 5 hours to get one back! And how would I carry the shopping? We used to call this vandalism, but now it’s protesting so that makes it fine!

    Reply

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