Campaigners are organizing widespread demonstrations across the United Kingdom this weekend against Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk, intensifying pressure on the electric car manufacturer.
The UK chapter of Tesla Takedown has announced protests in seven cities: Glasgow, Manchester, Nottingham, Leeds, London, Winchester, and Norwich. These actions follow a recent protest at Tesla’s pop-up store on Oxford Street.
In London’s Park Royal, the group is partnering with the Campaign for Ukraine and the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign. The timing of these protests – April 12th – holds symbolic significance as it marks Cosmonautics Day, commemorating Yuri Gagarin’s historic spaceflight. Tesla Takedown stated their intention to “ask Elon to take a one-way ticket to Mars” in connection with this date.
The protests stem from accusations that Musk has aligned himself with right-wing groups and is contributing to divisions within Ukraine, particularly concerning his actions related to Starlink technology. As the group explains, “Ukrainians loathe and despise Elon for his role in the Trump-Putin axis that’s trying to divide their country.”
Protest activities are expected to include a “Musk air dancer,” a Mars-themed performance piece, speeches, and what organizers describe as “lots of honking.”
Recent demonstrations have taken more direct action. A recent art event in Loughborough Junction saw participants invited to dismantle a decommissioned Tesla Model S (dating back to 2014). Organizers clarified that the vehicle was destined for recycling and that its components would be repurposed.
Here’s how they plan to handle the remains:
- The battery will be recycled.
- The remaining vehicle parts will be auctioned off, with proceeds donated to local food banks.
Images from the event depict participants wearing protective gear and using tools like baseball bats and sledgehammers against the Tesla, while others scrawled messages such as “Billionaires suck” and “Tax the rich” on its surface.
Meanwhile, Tesla continues to expand globally. The company recently launched a new Cybertruck in the United States, with long-range models priced at $69,990 (£53,462). Eligible buyers can benefit from a Federal Tax Credit of up to $7,500 (£5,720), bringing the price down to approximately $62,490 (£47,673).
This launch is anticipated to be the final update before the introduction of an upgraded Model Y later this year, featuring a new design and improved range capabilities.
Saudi Arabia’s recent embrace of electric vehicles marks another step in Tesla’s global expansion. The country aims for a 30% market share for EVs within five years – currently, adoption stands at around one percent.
The Saudi Public Investment Fund is a significant investor in Lucid Motors, a competitor to Tesla, and has expressed interest in purchasing up to 100,000 electric vehicles from the brand.
According to the group, the battery will be recycled and the remainder of the vehicle will be auctioned as an art piece, with proceeds going to local food banks.
