A man is in police custody after a series of vandalism attacks on electric vehicles took place in Auckland.

Cars including Teslas and a Polestar electric vehicle were reportedly spray-painted - making them unsafe to drive. 

Auckland City Electric Vehicles director Greg Larsen says the Tesla brand has become a 'political football' as a result of CEO Elon Musk's recent actions.

"It's quite interesting that a motor vehicle brand has become a political football - and violence and vigilante kinds of activities are happening because of a vehicle brand."

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