The “SUV deflators” step up actions across France

They believe that governments are not taking the necessary measures, so they act themselves by letting the air out of dozens of SUVs’ tires at night.

Born in the United Kingdom, the “SUV deflators” movement is gaining momentum and is now spreading across Europe. In France, the first actions of this collective took place in mid-July, in Paris. In the 16th arrondissement of the capital, the tires of about a hundred SUVs were deflated over a weekend.

Since then, individuals claiming to be part of this movement have struck again, in Paris but sometimes also in other less populated cities. Regularly, the international branch of the “SUV deflators” shares reports of the latest actions carried out internationally. Since June 2022, there is also a dedicated Twitter page for France.

This war against SUVs is primarily driven by ecological reasons. For the “deflators,” the proliferation of this type of vehicle in cities is an ecological nonsense, which additionally has a negative impact on the safety of residents. On each deflated vehicle, a note placed on the windshield explains the purpose of their action:

Electric and hybrid SUVs also targeted

This illegal practice follows somewhat vague guidelines. Activists are encouraged to act at night and in groups. They may target any SUVs and 4x4s they encounter, including electric or hybrid models. However, they should not touch vehicles used by people with reduced mobility or merchants.

Despite this preliminary set of rules, the group does not seem to have a keen sense of nuance. Judging by the photos posted on social networks, no distinction is made between a Mercedes G-Class and a Citroën C3 Aircross. The CO2 footprint of a powerful 4×4 weighing over two tons is clearly different from that of a modest urban SUV. This lack of discernment also shows that social issues are entirely ignored.

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