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Can you hotwire an electric car?

I live on a busy street and worry that my car could be broken into and stolen. If I bought an electric car, would it be possible for it to be hotwired?

avatar
Allison Stone · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
No, you cannot hotwire an
electric car
. But why not?
Hotwiring works on the principle that the key ignition can be bypassed by directly connecting the wire that connects the battery to the wire that powers the systems which start the car.
In an electric car, because there is no combustion engine or ignition to be started, it’s impossible to be hotwired. Electric cars have an entirely digital control system, meaning that the car cannot be started without access to the control panel.
Even new gas-powered cars are almost impossible to
steal
via hotwiring due to having more complex mechanical and security features than older cars.
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