Tyre Extinguishers

Short description: Direct action group against SUVs

Tyre Extinguishers

Formation| 2021; 5 years ago (2021)
Purpose| Banning of SUVs in cities
Location|

* Europe, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand

Methods| Direct action
Fields| Road safety
Climate movement
Website| tyreextinguishers.com

Tyre Extinguishers is an international climate direct action group which deflates the tyres on sport utility vehicles (SUVs). The group describes driving an SUV as "among the worst single actions that one can take in terms of its climate impacts and its adverse effects on public safety",[1] with SUVs having a disproportionately large impact on the climate crisis relative to other vehicles,[2] worsening air pollution and being more likely to kill pedestrians than smaller sedan cars.[3][1] The group has called for a ban on SUVs in cities, and has said that they "want to make it impossible to own a huge polluting 4x4 in the world’s urban areas".[4]

The group suggests inserting a piece of gravel, lentil or other small object to depress the pin on the valve cap of an SUV's tyre, so that the tyre deflates slowly over time.[5] The activists leave leaflets under the vehicles' windscreen wipers "so that the owner is aware that the car is unusable and gets an explanation as to why this has been done."[6][7]

## Contents

* 1 Activities
* 2 Organisation
* 3 Legality
* 4 References
* 4.1 Locations
* 5 External links

## Activities

Between 7 March 2022 and July 2022, the group claimed to have deflated over 5000 tyres of SUVs worldwide, [8] including areas of London, Cambridge, Brighton and Hove, Bristol, Edinburgh, Liverpool and Sheffield, the Swiss city of Zurich, the German cities of Essen and Dortmund, the Swedish city Gothenburg, in the New Zealand cities of Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington, and in Los Angeles.[9]

Several Tyre Extinguishers splinter groups formed in Scottish cities including Dundee (The Dundeeflators)[10] and Glasgow (The Deflationists),[11][12][13]

In July 2022, the group's further actions in the United States took place in New York City,[14] Chicago, Scranton, Pennsylvania[15] and the San Francisco Bay Area.[16] The group claimed its first actions in Canada (Waterloo, Ontario) and France (Paris) the same month.[17][18]

On one night in September 2022, the group deflated tyres on over 600 SUVs in the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, the Czech Republic and Canada.[19] The group claimed these were its debut actions in Denmark, Norway and the Czech Republic.[20]

In October 2022, the organisation claimed to have reached its initial target of 10,000 SUVs deflated since March 2022, with the actions taking place across 15 countries.[21][22] The group described Australia as its "next big target" in May 2023.[23]

In August 2023 Tyre Extinguishers claimed responsibility for an "independent cell" of their group that had used power drills to puncture the tyres of more than 60 SUVs at a car dealership in Exeter, England. The group described the act as a "necessary escalation", and a retaliation to an incident the previous month where a Land Rover had broken through a fence and killed two schoolchildren.[24]

In October 2023, the group announced its first action in Riga, Latvia, claiming this was the 20th country with active Tyre Extinguisher groups.[25][26]

## Organisation

The name "Tyre Extinguishers" began appearing in 2021, but the group's actions did not begin until March 2022.[6] In 2007, a Swedish group called "The Indians of the Asphalt Jungle" had embraced the same tactic, deflating over 1,500 SUVs (according to its own numbers) and, as reported by Vice, "helping to send the usually relentless growth of domestic SUV sales into a rare reverse".[6]

The group was described by Aston University academics Oscar Berglund and Graeme Hayes as a "pop-up climate movement," given the group's emphasis on individuals or small groups taking action wherever they are using the materials on the Tyre Extinguishers website, rather than a more centralised structure.[27]

Lund University professor Andreas Malm (whose book How to Blow Up a Pipeline argues in favour of the sabotage of fossil fuel infrastructure as a form of environmental activism, and who the Tyre Extinguishers have cited as an inspiration[28]) called the group's actions a form of "extremely peaceful and gentle sabotage."[29] Malm continued, "anyone can deflate an SUV: it is virtually child's play. It requires no formal organization, no leadership, no funds, no implements other than bits of gravel or beans or green lentils. Given the infinitely replicable nature of the action - sabotage as meme - its potential for making SUV ownership less convenient and attractive could not be discounted."[29]

Separate groups have begun to use similar tactics, such as a group called Reclaim Our Communities in Bristol, UK, which deflated tyres on more than 100 SUVs and 4x4s in the city in October 2023.[30]

## Legality

The group claims to have faced no legal issues, and has said that it understood police forces in the United Kingdom to be "divided" on whether it was a crime to let the air out of a tyre.[23]

Journalists have described the actions as criminal and authorities in certain regions have encouraged witnesses to come forward with information.[31][32] In the U.S., Car and Driver magazine noted "State laws against 'tampering with a motor vehicle' are likely to be enforceable, but of course, first the person would have to be caught in the act of letting the air out of the tires."[33] On a much larger scale than lentils in tyres, many other journalists have put forth the greater issue of the anthropogenic climate crisis as criminal.[34][35]

In Singapore in 2025, a man was found guilty of committing mischief after deflating the tyres of seven vehicles in a car park in Woodlands. He was fined S$3,000 (US$2,300) after voluntarily compensating the victims for damages related to re-inflating the tyres and writing a letter of apology.[36]

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Climate activists deflate car tyres in 'wealthy area' to 'disrupt' drivers" (in en). The Argus. 30 March 2022. https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/20029619.climate-activist-group-deflate-car-tyres-hove/.
2. ↑ Cozzi, Laura; Petropoulos, Apostolos (15 January 2021). "Carbon emissions fell across all sectors in 2020 except for one – SUVs". https://www.iea.org/commentaries/carbon-emissions-fell-across-all-sectors-in-2020-except-for-one-suvs.
3. ↑ "Why Are You Doing This?" (in en). https://tyreextinguishers.com/why-are-you-doing-this.
4. ↑ Gayle, Damien (29 November 2022). "Tyre Extinguishers deflate tyres of 900 SUVs in 'biggest ever action'" (in en). The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/nov/29/tyre-extinguishers-deflate-tyres-of-900-suvs-in-biggest-ever-action.
5. ↑ "How To Deflate An SUV Tyre". https://tyreextinguishers.com/how-to-deflate-an-suv-tyre.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Rogers, Douglas (2022-05-22). "Who Are the Tyre Extinguishers? The Climate Activists Sabotaging SUVs" (in en). https://www.vice.com/en/article/who-are-the-tyre-extinguishers/.
7. ↑ "How To Deflate An SUV Tyre" (in en). https://tyreextinguishers.com/how-to-deflate-an-suv-tyre.
8. ↑ "Meet the climate activists deflating tyres to stop SUV ownership" (in en-GB). 2022-06-20. https://www.channel4.com/news/meet-the-climate-activists-deflating-tyres-to-stop-suv-ownership.
9. ↑ [lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 2][lower-alpha 3][lower-alpha 4][lower-alpha 5][lower-alpha 6][lower-alpha 7][lower-alpha 8][lower-alpha 9][lower-alpha 10][lower-alpha 11][lower-alpha 12][lower-alpha 13][lower-alpha 14][lower-alpha 15][lower-alpha 16][lower-alpha 17][lower-alpha 18][lower-alpha 19][lower-alpha 20][lower-alpha 21][lower-alpha 22]
10. ↑ Keith, Jake. "Eco vandals strike again in Dundee as tyres on 20 cars deflated overnight" (in en-GB). https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/dundee/3339369/tyre-extinguishers-dundee-suvs-craigiebank/.
11. ↑ Williams, Craig (2022-06-01). "Glasgow wealthy areas targeted as climate activists let down 70 SUV tyres" (in en). https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/glasgow-wealthy-areas-targeted-climate-24118328.
12. ↑ "Rival climate groups deflate SUV tyres in Glasgow and Edinburgh" (in en). 2022-06-01. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jun/01/deflationists-tyre-extinguishers-climate-groups-deflate-suv-tyres-glasgow-edinburgh.
13. ↑ "'Reckless' eco vandals deflate car tyres in crusade against SUVs" (in en-GB). 2022-05-27. https://news.stv.tv/north/eco-vandals-tyre-extinguishers-claim-responsibility-for-deflation-of-suv-tyres-in-dundee.
14. ↑ "Climate activists deflate tires on 40 SUVs in NYC, cops seeking suspects" (in en-US). 2022-07-01. https://nypost.com/2022/07/01/climate-activists-deflate-tires-on-40-suvs-in-nyc/.
15. ↑ "News" (in en). https://www.tyreextinguishers.com/news?slug=20-suvs-deflated-in-chicago-in-first-american-midwest-action.
16. ↑ Cano, Ricardo (2022-07-07). "'Your gas guzzler kills': Bay Area drivers' SUV tires deflated by apparent climate activists" (in en-US). https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Your-gas-guzzler-kills-Bay-Area-woman-s-17291033.php.
17. ↑ "'Your gas guzzler kills': Environmental group says it deflated tires on Kitchener SUVs | Globalnews.ca" (in en-US). https://globalnews.ca/news/8997655/environmental-group-deflates-tires-suvs-kitchener/.
18. ↑ "News" (in en). https://www.tyreextinguishers.com/news?slug=first-action-in-france-and-more-action-in-wellington-new-zealand-and-gothenburg-sweden.
19. ↑ "Tyre Extinguishers claim more than 600 SUVs 'disarmed' in one night" (in en). 2022-09-07. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/sep/07/tyre-extinguishers-claim-more-than-600-suvs-disarmed-in-one-night.
20. ↑ "News" (in en). https://www.tyreextinguishers.com/news?slug=600-suvs-deflated-in-nine-countries-in-worldwide-night-of-action-against-climate-wrecking-vehicles.
21. ↑ "News" (in en). https://www.tyreextinguishers.com/news?slug=tyre-extinguishers-hit-target-of-10000-suvs-disarmed-worldwide.
22. ↑ NacióSantCugat. "Els ecologistes "Tyre Extinguishers" reivindiquen haver actuat a Sant Cugat" (in ca). https://www.naciodigital.cat/santcugat/noticia/8717/ecologistes-tyre-extinguishers-sant-cugat.
23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Blair, Alex (30 May 2023). "Radical climate activists pushing to ‘inconvenience SUV owners’ by deflating 4x4 tyres in major cities". news.com.au. https://www.news.com.au/technology/motoring/on-the-road/radical-climate-activists-pushing-to-inconvenience-suv-owners-by-deflating-4x4-tyres-in-major-cities/news-story/e35346a24a6b6254e9420949c61a52cd.
24. ↑ Gayle, Damien (7 August 2023). "Activists drill holes in tyres of more than 60 SUVs at Exeter car dealership". The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/07/activists-drill-holes-in-tyres-of-more-than-60-suvs-at-exeter-car-dealership.
25. ↑ "'Environment activists' deflate car tires in Rīga" (in en). https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/19.10.2023-environment-activists-deflate-car-tires-in-riga.a528356/.
26. ↑ "News" (in en). https://www.tyreextinguishers.com/news?slug=200-suvs-deflated-in-four-countries-as-suvs-halt-emissions-decline.
27. ↑ Hayes, Graeme; Berglund, Oscar. "Tyre Extinguishers: activists are deflating SUV tyres in the latest pop-up climate movement". http://theconversation.com/tyre-extinguishers-activists-are-deflating-suv-tyres-in-the-latest-pop-up-climate-movement-178911.
28. ↑ Childs, Simon; selimbulut (2022-08-11). "Tyre Extinguishers: direct action group deflating climate change" (in en-GB). https://www.rollingstone.co.uk/politics/features/tyre-extinguishers-suv-4x4-climate-action-campaign-21323/.
29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 "Andreas Malm introduces Verso's new free ebook, Property Will Cost Us the Earth". 2022-04-19. https://www.versobooks.com/blogs/5322-andreas-malm-introduces-verso-s-new-free-ebook-property-will-cost-us-the-earth.
30. ↑ Cork, Tristan (2023-10-20). "Tyres deflated on more than 100 SUVs and 4x4s in Bristol overnight" (in en). https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/tyres-deflated-more-100-suvs-8845965.
31. ↑ "'Your gas guzzler kills': Environmental group says it deflated tires on Kitchener SUVs | Globalnews.ca" (in en-US). https://globalnews.ca/news/8997655/environmental-group-deflates-tires-suvs-kitchener/.
32. ↑ "'Gas guzzler kills': more than 30 SUVs have tires deflated" (in en). 2022-07-18. https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/2022/07/18/tire-deflators-leave-message-for-suv-owners-that-gas-guzzler-kills.html.
33. ↑ Blanco, Sebastian (2022-07-10). "SUV-Hating Tyre Extinguishers Group Is Deflating Tires as Protest" (in en-US). https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a40567119/tyre-extinguishers-anti-suv-group/.
34. ↑ "Climate protest jail term is 'disproportionate' - human rights expert" (in en-GB). 2025-04-14. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1lmmlpmgldo.
35. ↑ "Climate crimes must be brought to justice" (in en). https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/climate-crimes-must-be-brought-justice-0.
36. ↑ "NUS student fined for putting green beans into car tyre valves to deflate them" (in en). CNA. 6 November 2025. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/nus-student-green-beans-tyres-deflate-climate-change-suv-5449441.

### Locations

1. ↑ "Climate activists deflate SUV tyres in wealthy London neighbourhoods". 4 March 2022. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/04/climate-activists-deflate-suv-tyres-in-wealthy-london-neighbourhoods.
2. ↑ Davis, Barney (8 March 2022). "Eco-warriors deflate SUV tyres in Chelsea, Primrose Hill and Dulwich". https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/the-tyre-extinguishers-suv-chelsea-primrose-hill-kensington-climate-protestors-b986677.html.
3. ↑ "Climate activists have deflated hundreds of SUV tyres in affluent areas across the UK". 8 March 2022. https://www.bigissue.com/news/environment/climate-activists-have-deflated-hundreds-of-suv-tyres-in-affluent-areas-across-the-uk/.
4. ↑ "Tyre Extinguishers: Scores of SUVs have tyres deflated by activists". BBC News. 8 March 2022. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-60660711.
5. ↑ "Climate activists deflating car tyres in carbon emissions protest". https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/19977286.climate-activists-deflate-tyres-brighton-cars-protest/.
6. ↑ "Climate activists let down SUV tyres across Britain in 'gas guzzler' protest". https://www.thetimes.com/uk/transport/article/climate-protesters-let-down-suv-tyres-across-britain-0x736tt0t.
7. ↑ Streeting, Louisa (8 March 2022). "Climate activists deflate hundreds of SUV tyres in the night". https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/tyre-extinguishers-target-bristol-suvs-6769297.
8. ↑ Shepherd, Jordan (10 March 2022). "Tyre-deflating eco-warriors say driving a gas-guzzling SUV is 'racist'". https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/uk-news/tyre-deflating-eco-warriors-edinburgh-26429680.
9. ↑ "New group of activists are targeting 'well to-do' areas of Yorkshire - by letting down tyres". https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/people/new-group-of-activists-are-targeting-well-to-do-areas-of-yorkshire-3603000.
10. ↑ Flood, Rebecca (9 March 2022). "Eco-warriors targeting SUVs by deflating tires claim to have struck in L.A.". https://www.newsweek.com/deflate-tire-suv-car-eco-warrior-target-l-viral-1686405.
11. ↑ "Identity appeal after car tyres deflated in Brighton and Hove". Sussex Police. https://www.sussex.police.uk/news/sussex/news/witness-appeals/identity-appeal-after-car-tyres-deflated-in-brighton-and-hove/.
12. ↑ "Tyre Extinguishers go global as activists vow to make owning SUVs 'impossible'". 24 March 2022. https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/tyre-extinguishers-suv-global-b2043124.html.
13. ↑ "Zurich - Climate activists deflate SUV tires - 20 minutes - 247newsbulletin". https://247newsbulletin.news/politics/269344.html.
14. ↑ "Activists deflate tyres on SUVs in Edinburgh". BBC News. 11 April 2022. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-61067183.
15. ↑ "'Tyre Extinguishers' climate activists deflate the tyres of SUVs in Edinburgh". https://uk.news.yahoo.com/tyre-extinguishers-climate-activists-deflate-the-tyres-of-su-vs-in-edinburgh-163256151.html.
16. ↑ Keane, Daniel (2022-04-22). "London climate activists deflate tyres on 120 SUVs". https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/tyre-extinguishers-deflate-suvs-london-kensington-paddington-hampstead-primrose-hill-b995835.html.
17. ↑ Sigodo, Melissa (2022-04-22). "Climate activists boast their 'biggest night' as they deflate tyres on 120 cars". https://www.mylondon.news/news/uk-world-news/climate-activists-boast-biggest-night-23759154.
18. ↑ "Tyre Extinguishers in New Zealand spread as Christchurch SUVs hit" (in en). http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/5/402344.
19. ↑ Strang, Ben (2022-06-02). "Police tracking climate activists after tampering with car, causing near miss" (in en). https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington/128838319/police-tracking-climate-activists-after-tampering-with-car-causing-near-miss.
20. ↑ "Climate action group claims responsibility for deflated Auckland tyres". 2022-05-06. https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/05/06/climate-action-group-claims-responsibility-for-deflated-auckland-tyres/.
21. ↑ "Klimataktivister i stort däcksabotage i Göteborg" (in sv). https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/klimat/klimataktivister-i-stort-dacksabotage-i-goteborg/.
22. ↑ "Tyre Extinguishers' actions 'amount to harassment' says councillor as same vehicles targeted again" (in en). https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/crime/edinburgh-tyre-extinguishers-deflate-tyres-of-20-vehicles-in-bruntsfield-in-latest-spree-3713237.

## External links

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