Thieves Are After Your Electric Car Charger
Thefts of electric vehicle chargers are on the rise for their valuable copper wire, but there are steps you can take to keep yours safe.
Written by Allison Stone
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Electric
car ownership
is on the rise, and unfortunately, some thieves have found a way to profit off of underprepared new owners. Electric cars are now being targeted for their charging cables, which are full of copper wire. While many people
set up their home chargers
in locked garages that are hard to access, not every EV owner has that same luxury. If you have an electric car charger that is out in the open, in a shared parking garage, or in an easily-accessible carport, you’ll want to take extra precautions to protect your charger from theft. All a thief needs to get away with your cable is a heavy-duty cable cutter and a connection with a scrap metal hard to make quick cash of your charger. Read on below to learn a few tips to prevent theft and protect your assets.
Preventing electric car charging cable theft
Your home charging cable should come standing with some kind of locking device. Tesla’s at-home chargers, for example, come with an update that makes your unit unusable by another car, regardless of the make and model.
Some chargers can also be adapted with an aftermarket cord locking device. Not all electric chargers are created equal, so you’ll have to find one that is compatible with your specific make and model.
If you have to charge in a public area, install a security camera that can be clearly seen by anyone attempting to burglarize your charger. Sometimes even just having a security camera visible can deter theft.
If you’re charging at a public charging station, try not to leave your car unattended for too long. While it’s likely that the charging station may have its own security in place, you’re better safe than sorry.
When all else fails, go analog. A sizable padlock or U-lock can be used to attach your cable to a solid nearby object such as a fence or even the car itself. You can even take it a step further and detach your charging cable when not in use and store it somewhere safe and out of sight, like the trunk of your car.
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MORE: Car Thieves Are After an Increasingly Valuable Part of Your Car
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