Tesla fire in Rome: investigations into suspected attack!

Tesla fire in Rome: investigations into suspected attack!

In Rome on April 1, 2025, several Teslas burst into flames in an electric car showroom in an outskirts. The fire brigade arrived quickly, but by the time they arrived, the fire had already spread over a large area and an impressive column of smoke was visible. The showroom where additional Teslas were parked was also damaged. The police have launched an investigation and are checking the surveillance cameras to clarify possible approaches to the parking lot. The incident made waves, prompting Tesla CEO Elon Musk to speak of “terrorism” on X (formerly Twitter) and post an image of the fire that expressed his concern. Matteo Salvini, Italy's deputy prime minister and transport minister, expressed solidarity with Musk and criticized the "unjustified hatred" against him.

The incidents are not isolated. A week ago there were similar attacks in Berlin, in which four Teslas went up in flames. These incidents are related to protests in the USA, where the brand's vehicles have repeatedly been the target of attacks. Tesla electric car charging stations and dealers have also been attacked, underscoring concerns about the safety of these vehicles and infrastructure.

Investigations into consumer deception

While Tesla is dealing with the current incidents, the Italian competition authority AGCM has opened investigations against several car manufacturers, including Volkswagen, BYD, Stellantis and Tesla, on suspicion of deceiving consumers. The focus is on inflated information about the range and battery capacity of electric vehicles. anwalt.de points out that consumers often do not achieve the claimed range and manufacturers sometimes hide reserves within the battery, resulting in lower usable capacity.

These new developments could have serious consequences for the automobile manufacturers affected. The investigations are becoming more and more precise. In February 2025, the Italian headquarters of Tesla and other manufacturers were raided, indicating an increased crackdown on unfair business practices. Deviations of more than 10% from the manufacturer's specifications are viewed as a significant material defect, which could have legal consequences for the manufacturer.

The combination of security threats and legal challenges cast a critical light on the future of the company and the entire electric vehicle industry. Consumer advocates are already recommending that affected buyers examine their claims for damages across the EU and use legal options.