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With an increasing number of electric vehicles on our roads, the relatively new crime of charging cable theft is presenting some challenges. Learn more in our latest blog post.
In September 2024 56,387 new electric cars were sold in the UK, accounting for a massive 20.5% of new car registrations. In 2023 a total of 314,684 electric cars were sold, up by 18% from 267,203 in 2022. Although the proportion of new electric vehicles (EVs) has recently remained stable it is anticipated that growing consumer demand, alongside declining interest in new diesel vehicles, will see many more drivers choosing EVs.
Reasons People Drive EVs
There are many reasons why people are increasingly interested in driving EVs. Environmental awareness and the benefits in not using fossil fuels is perhaps at the top of the list. People no longer want to be responsible for emissions that are contributing to climate change.
Another key reason is cost savings. EVs have lower running and maintenance costs than conventional internal combustion engine vehicles. There are also some tax benefits as EVs are currently exempt from road tax as well as congestion charges, in some towns and cities.
The convenience of being able to refuel at home, by connecting to a home charging station, is another important attraction. Driving an EV means no more queuing at busy garages for diesel or petrol.
Clever regenerative braking systems enable EVs to charge their batteries when the brakes are used. And charging infrastructure networks for EVs are constantly improving, enabling EVs to be used for long journeys almost everywhere.
Evolving EV Charging Cable Crime
Back in 2021 and 2022 it was widely reported that some EV owners had fallen victim to criminals stealing their valuable charging cables. These expensive cables, typically costing over £200, were then either being resold on the black market, or stripped for the copper inside.
EVs are charged by connecting to a charging station. These might be located in residential streets, in a car park or in a driver’s home. Most of today`s public charging stations offer tethered cables, attached to the charging points. But EV owners often store and carry their own charging cables in their boots, enabling them to connect to chargers that don`t offer tethered cables. Cables have been stolen from vehicles when left, unattended, on charge and in some cases valuable cables were even stolen from the vehicle’s boot by criminals who knew the storage location.
Although cables, when charging, are sometimes locked in place it can be quite easy for an unscrupulous thief to overcome the locking system and wrench the cable out of the socket, causing significant damage in the process.
Charging cable theft is now affecting public charging stations far more than private homes. Recently, for example, cable thieves targeted three rapid chargers conveniently situated in a public car park. The operator, Osprey Charging, said that similar cable thefts had taken place elsewhere in recent weeks.
Since 2022 the EV charging infrastructure throughout the UK has significantly expanded. There are now many public rapid charging points enabling drivers to quickly boost their battery charge from high power charging stations. These charging facilities are sadly being targeted by organised thieves along with mindless vandals in many areas of the country.
The value of copper has been notably increasing over recent years and some criminals mistakenly believe the copper in the rapid charging cables, attached to public charging stations, is worth stealing. The fact is, the amount of copper inside one of these cables is worth very little, once the cable has been stripped. But it can cost the operator as much as £1000 or more to repair a charging station that’s been damaged by thieves when they steal a cable.
Charging cable theft and damage also has a hugely detrimental impact on driver confidence. EV drivers need reliable, working rapid charging points, often to complete their journeys. To suddenly find an essential charging facility has been made unusable, by thieves or vandals, can be disastrous.
While there are currently no official figures, specifically detailing charging cable thefts from charging stations and private homes, insurers are aware this is a developing form of crime that is likely to result in increased motor insurance premiums.
Declaring War on Charging Cable Thieves
In response to the growing number of charging cable thefts from charging points across the country, EV charging infrastructure providers are stepping up their security measures.
Theft and vandalism is estimated to already be costing the industry in excess of £500,000, due to the huge costs involved in replacing damaged equipment, repairs and lost income. Ultra-rapid charging stations are now being equipped with sophisticated CCTV systems, continuously monitored around the clock. Charging hub locations are being fitted with tannoy systems that enable operators to scare off any criminal gangs or vandals by warning them they are being recorded and immediately reported to the police. And police forces are being automatically alerted to any detected criminal activity.
Charging cables at these vital stations are being protected with SelectDNA coatings that provide a unique DNA signature, enabling police to trace the exact source of any stolen cable. The combination of CCTV, 24/7 security monitoring and cable DNA labelling is expected to significantly deter both theft and vandalism.
How to Secure Your EV Charging Cable
As noted, its not only the cables attached to public charging points that are targeted by thieves. Charging cables owned by EV drivers might also attract unwanted criminal attention, so its important to be aware of sensible precautions to keep them safe and secure.
Ideally, you should not leave your EV unattended when charging from a public charging point. But charging from a relatively low power charger, delivering maybe just 7kW or 22kW, can take many hours so remaining in or near the vehicle isn’t always an option.
What you can do is secure your charging cable with a high quality padlock or special cable locking system. Some EVs provide special security loops, designed to enable the cable to be securely locked to the car while charging is in progress. When charging is complete the cable is detached and safely stored where it can’t be seen.
Another option, when charging, can be to loop the charging cable through the spokes of a car wheel. While this doesn’t entirely prevent theft it makes it more difficult. Some sources have recommended actually parking the vehicle on top of the cable but this is not a good idea as it can damage the charging cable.
Vehicle dashcams, that can be switched on when the EV is parked and charging, are great for security. While a dashcam doesn’t actually prevent theft they do act as a powerful theft and vandalism deterrent. And if someone does steal a charging cable the dash cam provides a valuable recording that can help police investigations.
When charging an EV at home its always a good idea to carry this out inside a secure garage, out of sight from any potential thieves. If its not possible to carry out charging from inside a garage then its worth finding a charging location that can’t be easily seen from the street. Installing sensible property security measures, including motion-triggered security lighting and CCTV systems, will deter cable thieves.
Using a tethered home EV charger is another valuable option. A tethered charger simply has a permanently fixed charging cable that is tethered to the charger and can’t be removed. This makes it very difficult for opportunist thieves to snatch the charging cable.
Another recommendation is to do what the charging infrastructure providers are doing and security label your valuable charging cable. Security tagging and microdot security labelling can make stolen cables difficult to sell on the black market and help police return stolen items to their rightful owners.
For more information on EV Charging Cable Theft and How to Remain Secure talk to Insight Security