Why They Deflate SUV Tires in the Middle of the Night

People Deflating Tires Active in 18 Cities Including the US and Europe
"Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles Emit More Pollution... SUVs Should Be Banned in Cities"

An environmental activist is deflating the air from a vehicle's tire. Photo by the climate action group 'Tyre Extinguishers'.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jung-wan] Radical environmental activists deflated the tires of about 900 SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles) in 18 cities across the United States and Europe.

On the 29th (local time), according to the British daily The Guardian, the group 'Tyre Extinguishers' issued a statement saying, "Last night, citizens in eight countries deflated the tires of approximately 900 SUVs that harm the environment."

The group stated that this action took place in 18 locations across Europe and the U.S., including Amsterdam and Enschede in the Netherlands; Paris and Lyon in France; Berlin, Bonn, Essen, Hanover, and Saarbr?cken in Germany; London, Bristol, Leeds, and Dundee in the United Kingdom; Malm? in Sweden; Innsbruck in Austria; Zurich and Winterthur in Switzerland; and New York in the United States.

They have argued that four-wheel-drive vehicles emit a lot of exhaust and that SUVs should be banned from cities. The group said, "This action is the largest global campaign targeting high carbon-emitting vehicles, and such events will continue. We want to make it impossible to own massive polluters in cities worldwide."

One driver targeted by this campaign expressed dissatisfaction. Tom Howarth, who said he operates an ambulance emergency response service in Yorkshire, UK, posted on Twitter a photo of a flyer found on his car’s tire valve and under the wheel, writing, "Congratulations. You have succeeded in deflating the tires of an emergency response vehicle." However, The Guardian reported that it is unclear whether his vehicle bore emergency response markings.

The Guardian reported that since the group first took action in the UK nine months ago, they have continued deflating tires of four-wheel-drive vehicles in cities. They also revealed that in early September, they deflated tires of over 600 vehicles in nine countries.

The group claims to have deflated tires of more than 10,000 vehicles so far. They describe SUVs as "unnecessarily luxurious 'waste of the rich'" and "climate villains that pollute the air and damage the roads we use."

Marion Walker, a spokesperson for the group, said, "We hope anyone will take 'climate action' to prevent cities worldwide from being dominated by heavy large vehicles. Our activities will become more active, and once the idea turns into action, it cannot be stopped."