With the increase in electric cars on our roads, motoring experts have warned that electric car charger thefts could rocket in the next decade.
There are currently around 400,000 electric cars and 750,000 hybrid vehicles on the road - and after 2030, all new cars will be powered by electricity.
With replacement chargers costing up to £700, an increase in electric vehicles will make thefts more likely, according to automotive experts Leasing Options. Read the answers to the 10 most Googled questions about what you can be fined for while driving.
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The costs could overtake the current £10 million a year to replace catalytic converters - another favourite for thieves. Many scrap and recycling businesses are also seeing increased questions regarding electric car chargers – most often, how much they would pay for one. The scrap value for materials in a cable may be worth around £50. Plus, second-hand chargers are being sold for around £200. You can get more motoring news and other story updates by subscribing to our newsletters here.
Leasing Options chief operating officer Mike Thompson said: “ While there are no official figures on electric car charger thefts, it is a growing crime. So much so, that the Association of British Insurers has said insurance premiums could rise. Unfortunately, it is relatively straightforward for thieves to take charging cables, especially while they’re on charge. Software experts have also highlighted that some EV chargers had cyber security flaws, which meant they could be accessed remotely to unlock charge points.
“Clearly, this isn’t great news for electric car owners. However, there are some extra steps EV owners can take to protect their electric car charger from being targeted. Including removing the charger from your car at night, installing a dash camera and using a padlock.”
Charge your vehicle at home
While it’s not always possible to charge up at home, it is an obvious and easy way to minimise thefts. In addition, installing an electric charge point on your property provides extra security from prying eyes. Opt for a charger in a garage or away from street view if possible.
Use a padlock
Padlocks are one of the best ways to deter thieves, and they can be used on cables. In addition, many electric vehicles have a loop to secure your lock in place while it’s charging. In some cases, and depending on the wheels you have, you can loop the cable through the wheel and place the padlock on the cable.
Use a secure box in your boot
While some cables are stolen from boots when not in use, that’s not to say you shouldn’t use them. Instead, opt for a secure box to store your cable when not in use to make it harder for opportunists.
Remove the charger from the boot overnight
The boot is the easiest place to store your charger. However, it’s also the most obvious and the first place thieves will look. So, instead of leaving it in your car overnight, remove it and store it securely inside until you need it again. It might be a little inconvenient, but it’ll save the cost of an expensive replacement.
Install a dash camera
Dash cameras aren’t just great for extra reassurance on the road – they can be a great deterrent for unwanted attention while you’re parked up. Opt for cameras that work while the car is off and charging, so it films any nearby contact with your vehicle. While it might not stop someone from stealing the cable, you might get a good look at the perpetrator, which can help police.
CCTV at home
Electric car charger thefts happen while people are out and about but also while at home, so, install CCTV near the charging area for extra peace of mind. This can help identify unwanted guests but may also deter them from taking your charger.
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FAQs
EV owners can lock their cable to a cable tether installed under the car, aluminum wheel, or a nearby fence. Some electric vehicles have a loop for securing the lock during charging. Keep the charger in a safe place. Thieves will often look in the trunk, and can damage the trunk to break in.
How do I protect my EV charger from theft? ›
Alternatively, to protect your EV charging cable from theft when charging at home, use one or more of the following – charge in your garage, charge your car away from street view, install CCTV, opt for a tethered home EV charger, and invest in a smart socketed charger with a cable lock feature.
How to keep chargers from being stolen? ›
Lock Socket charger locks are designed to fit factory-provided chargers and keep them in place in outlets where they belong. It eliminates the hassle of having a phone or tablet charger stolen or lost. The device secures iPhone, iPad, or Samsung charging blocks and cables to any standard or Decora wall plate.
How can I secure my electric car charger at home? ›
Get a Lock
This will deter thieves and make it more difficult for them to steal your charger. There are a few different types of locks you can use, so choose the one that best suits your needs. One option is a U-lock. This is a heavy-duty lock that is made of metal.
What stops someone from unplugging your electric car? ›
Many vehicles have a “charger lock” feature to prevent someone from unplugging your vehicle. We recommend the following: Please turn off your vehicle and lock/unlock the car with your key fob. Some cars require you to press the unlock button up to 3 times, and some key fobs need to be near the charging port to work.
What are the security threats in electric vehicle charging? ›
By opening the charger and removing a chip, I gained access to highly sensitive data, including the station's Wi-Fi credentials. This could potentially lead to interception of passwords, putting users at risk of having their banking details stolen.
Is there a charger that can't be stolen? ›
Lock Socket® eliminates the hassle of lost or stolen phone chargers with an innovative, patent pending solution. Simply secure your iPhone, iPad, or Samsung charging block and cable to any standard or Decora wall plate and you'll never lose your phone charger again!
Can someone steal my car charger? ›
However, in short, it is highly unlikely that anyone will steal your electric vehicle charger or use it without your permission, especially with a smart charger.
Why do chargers get stolen? ›
Cars that are stolen include Dodge Chargers, Hellcats, Scat Packs, Jeeps and Rams. OPD says they are desired for their high-speed capacity to be used in events such as sideshows. OPD released the following tips for people with these types of cars to stay out of harm's way: Park in the garage.
Can someone unplug my electric car? ›
While it's not illegal for someone to unplug your electric car without your consent, it's bad EV charging etiquette. As long as you vacate your spot once you're done charging, this shouldn't be an issue.
However, home charging stations are by far the safest way to charge an electric car and come with many software safeguards as well as physical ones.
Why install an EV charger at home? ›
Charging can be an issue, especially if you're traveling to areas where public stations are hard to find. It can quickly grow tiresome if you find all the chargers already in use. By Installing an EV charger at home, most drivers can eliminate any need to use public charging, outside of long road trips.
Which is better, a tethered or untethered EV charger? ›
Whilst tethered units tend to be more convenient for home charging, untethered units provide much more flexibility, and their detachable cables are not just limited to being used at home. Ultimately, the charger that will suit you best depends on your own needs and how you intend to use it.
Can you lock your electric car while charging? ›
Keep the doors locked if you sit in the car while charging. Lock the vehicle if you leave it unattended while charging.
Can I lock my project EV charger? ›
All Project ev ac chargers feature
Secure your charging cable with Project EV's cable lock system. Lock your originally untethered cable to your charge point and vehicle, ensuring user peace of mind, and full protection.
Do electric vehicle chargers lock? ›
Yes, some vehicles have locking mechanisms that require the car to be unlocked for it to release the charging cable from the port, and that could foil the plan before you enact it. But other cars, when plugged in, can be unplugged if the DC charge feed is cancelled or completed.
Can car thieves steal electric cars? ›
Unfortunately, EVs are also a target for thieves who strip them for parts or try to sell them in countries with little demand for EVs. However, this is not a profitable venture for thieves since the EV market is still growing and the value of the parts is not worth their time.
Can EV chargers be hacked? ›
Access personal and/or financial data: EVs may be breached to reveal an individual's payment data or their location. Execute attacks on home or business networks: If a charging station is connected to a home or business Wi-Fi network, hackers could use charging station vulnerabilities to breach those networks.
