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As per the reliable source InsideEVs, vandalism and theft of electric vehicle charging stations in the United States have increased dramatically since 2023. Electric car owners aren't the only ones affected, as the frequent outages at charging stations have also caught the attention of government agencies.
Local and state governments in the United States have begun taking steps to strengthen charging station security and increase the anti-vandalism capabilities of the facilities.
The recent surge in thefts has seriously affected the operation of charging stations and brought inconvenience to electric vehicle owners. "The entire charging station is unusable due to cable theft, which will cause great trouble to our users," Lambkin said in a recent interview with the Associated Press. In May this year, the price of copper hit a record high of $5.2 per pound, a year-on-year increase of 25%.
It is estimated that the copper wire contained in electric vehicle charging cables is not worth much, and criminals can only earn about $20 by selling it to recycling stations. However, even with meager profits, rampant theft has not stopped. Fortunately, recycling centers and electric vehicle charging station operators have begun to take countermeasures.
