Fire destroys 17 Tesla vehicles at Rome dealership

A fire at a Tesla dealership on the outskirts of Rome destroyed at least 17 vehicles early Monday morning, according to Italian fire authorities. No injuries were reported, and the building was unoccupied at the time of the incident.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Rome’s fire service stated that it is examining all possibilities, including arson. Local police are reviewing surveillance footage and have spoken with dealership owners.

This incident follows several recent cases of Tesla vehicles being vandalized across Italy. In the Garbatella neighborhood of Rome, multiple Teslas were defaced with spray-painted messages referencing Elon Musk and former U.S. President Donald Trump. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has been publicly associated with Musk, has not issued a statement.

Last week, another car dealership in northern Rome was damaged in a separate fire that destroyed approximately 30 vehicles, including pre-owned Teslas. That incident was initially attributed to a possible electrical fault, but an investigation is ongoing.

Tesla locations in Milan have also reportedly been targeted by environmental activists. International reports of similar vandalism have surfaced in France and in regions of the United States, including the Pacific Northwest and Northeast.

In the U.S., peaceful demonstrations have taken place at various Tesla facilities. Protesters have criticized Elon Musk, who leads the Department of Government Efficiency, over recent cuts to federal employment programs.