Calgary police are investigating a disturbing trend after two Tesla vehicles were intentionally set on fire in separate incidents this week, raising alarms among electric vehicle owners in the area.

Incident Details

The first incident took place around 11 p.m. at a Tesla charging station located near 12 Avenue SE and Macleod Trail SE. A woman who parked her white 2023 Tesla Model Y received a notification about 90 minutes later indicating that her vehicle was no longer charging. Upon looking out her apartment window, she was horrified to see her car engulfed in flames.

Emergency services swiftly responded to her 911 call, extinguishing the fire. Authorities believe that an accelerant was used to ignite the blaze, signaling a clear act of arson.

The following evening, police were alerted to another vehicle fire at a Tesla storage lot on Fairmount Drive SE, south of Glenmore Trail. Fire crews arrived to find a grey 2025 Cybertruck on fire, with arson investigators suspecting the same method – the use of an accelerant – was involved.

Investigators' Actions

As investigators work to gather evidence and interview witnesses, they are looking into the possibility that these two incidents are connected. "Tesla owners are encouraged to put their car in sentry mode when parked in a non-secure area," advised Calgary police Staff Sgt. Kurt Jacobs. Sentry mode utilizes the vehicle's camera system to monitor and record suspicious activities surrounding the car, keeping owners informed of potential threats.

Call for Public Assistance

Authorities are urging drivers who parked their Teslas at the charging station between 9 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday to come forward with any information. Anyone with additional details is asked to contact local police at 403-266-1234 or submit tips anonymously through CrimeStoppers.

Broader Context of Vandalism

This wave of vandalism does not seem isolated. In recent weeks, similar incidents targeting Teslas and their charging stations have surged across North America and abroad. Many of these acts appear to be politically motivated, stemming from backlash against Elon Musk's recent affiliations with the Trump administration.

Last weekend, about two dozen protesters gathered outside a Tesla dealership in Surrey, B.C., following a demonstration in Vancouver. They held signs with slogans like “elbows up” and “Elon be-gone.” In Hamilton, Ontario, officials reported damage to around 80 Tesla vehicles at a dealership in a brazen act of vandalism.

In Colorado, prosecutors charged a woman for allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails at Tesla dealerships and spray-painting messages like "Nazi cars" on buildings. The electric vehicle manufacturer, which saw its stock double shortly after Trump's election, has faced increased scrutiny as these attacks raise questions about the underlying societal tensions surrounding Musk's political maneuvers.

Conclusion

As the investigation into the Calgary arsons unfolds, Tesla owners and the public alike are left to ponder: Is this a targeted attack or part of a larger phenomenon? Stay tuned as we continue to follow this developing story.