Electric vehicle (EV) owners are facing a new challenge as thieves target charging stations, stealing cables for the valuable copper inside. In cities like Seattle, where over 100 charging cables have been stolen in the past 12 months, this crime is becoming increasingly common. The problem is part of a larger nationwide trend, with copper thefts reported in several states including California, Michigan, Arizona, and Texas.
In a recent incident captured on a security camera in Seattle, two men were seen cutting cables at an EV charging station and loading them into a truck, all in less than three minutes. Thieves are drawn to the cables because of the rising price of copper, which can fetch between $2 and $5 per pound from recyclers. Though the amount of copper in each cable is relatively small—worth about $15 to $20—the ease of theft and the potential for quick profit keeps these criminals active.
The stolen cables often render entire charging stations useless, frustrating EV owners already anxious about the scarcity of charging infrastructure. This new wave of thefts adds to the growing list of challenges faced by U.S. automakers and consumers as the country pushes toward greater electric vehicle adoption.
Los Angeles, already dealing with significant copper theft from streetlights and rail lines, is now seeing EV charging cables added to the list of stolen items. Copper theft has cost taxpayers around $17 million in the city over the last few years. Other states like Nevada, Illinois, Oregon, and Pennsylvania are beginning to experience similar issues, as the demand for copper rises alongside global market prices.
EV charging companies, like Electrify America, are attempting to combat the problem by increasing security measures, including installing more cameras at charging stations. Still, for many consumers, the thefts could be another reason to hesitate before making the switch from gas-powered vehicles to electric ones.
As the U.S. works to expand EV infrastructure, the growing trend of copper theft at charging stations presents a costly setback, both for charging companies and for consumers reliant on these stations.
