An electric car has been smashed up with a pole in a protest against Elon Musk. A witness to the incident filmed a man, described as being in his 40s, using a “big pole” to smash the £44,950 Polestar car, on Monday, February 24.
Before the incident on Kings Square Avenue near Stokes Croft, the man was seen holding a homemade sign which said he was protesting against Musk, and his electric car company, Tesla. However, Polestar is a subsidiary of Volvo Car Group and Geely, a Chinese multinational company which is a rival to Tesla not associated with Musk.
Avon and Somerset Police said a man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, arson and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place but has since been released under investigation. A local resident, who called police, said he heard a disturbance outside and initially thought it was fireworks.
A video taken during the incident shows a man beating a window with a long white pole and a handmade sign is placed in front of the car. The man is then seen getting arrested once police arrive.
The sign said: “Eleon Musk you have to pay for all that demolition and seven a trillion dollars for foundation wielka orkiestra świątecznej pomocy. We dont wonted nazis hejt [hate] and symbols!
“You have to change name and symbol Tesla for “Renew Europ 2025. Dis is a red cross symbol, all the NATO know that and all the word!”
Wielka Orkiestra Świątecznej Pomocy (WOSP) is a Polish charity, also known as The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, which collects funds for paediatric and elderly care.
The witness said: “He wasn’t trying to do a runner – I thought, it must be some kind of protest. I was shocked. When you’re trying to go to sleep on a Monday evening, the last thing you expect to hear is a bloke smashing up a car.”
Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.