Gone in a Flash: Thieves Ditch Catalytic Converters For Charging Cables

Catalytic converter theft has become very common over the past few decades. Thousands of car owners across America now pull out of parking lots to realize this valuable component was missing! Owners of EVs considered themselves lucky that their models did not have this valuable asset. The Li-con batteries that power EVs are valuable, but stealing them is very difficult. Thieves Ditch Catalytic Converters for charging cables now as criminals are always changing their plans to guarantee profit. 

Thieves Ditch Catalytic Converters For Charging Cables

As the nation recently underwent inflationary times and gas prices soared, fuel became a viable target for thieves. As price rose to nearly $7 a gallon in some locations, it was now lucrative enough to take risks for. Crooks who were thinking big were targeting gas pumps to obtain this “liquid gold.” Even though EVs do not have gas tanks or catalytic converters, it doesn’t mean they come up all zeros for thieves. 

A close look at recent police reports has shown that there is another valuable commodity now being targeted. The charging cables that EVs use seem less vital than a converter to be left without, but they are actually quite costly! Cutting the cables at supercharger stations involves quite a bit of planning and detailed work. In California alone, there are more than 1 million EVs that are unfortunate prime targets.

Best Practices and Security Measures for Your Investment:

Many drivers say they have had an EV for years and have never had anything to worry about. Unfortunately, as criminals become aware of trending items, things can change rapidly. EV owners are encouraged to secure their outdoor wall sockets if they usually charge in their driveway. If at all possible, a locked garage is the best charging domain.

If a locked garage is not possible, it’s best to at least charge the car as out of sight as possible. Nevada has endured a particularly harsh bout of this new epidemic, with scrap copper selling at about $2.50 per lb. Recyclers simply aren’t concerned enough about the copper’s origins to ask many questions. Fast chargers require thick cables to allow for electrons to travel safely for short intervals. 

Down and Out in Beverly Hills:

One EV owner who recently was getting ready to leave his Mid-City LA house was in for a huge surprise. He noticed right away that his charging cord was missing, and immediately thought he had misplaced it. After checking out his RING security camera, he saw that a masked man had unplugged his vehicle and stolen his charging cord. Even after years spent in such a large city, he was amazed at the thief’s outright speed. 

The robbers can post the stolen goods on resale websites or sell them locally as scrap metal. Some videos from EV owners in California have shown thieves making off with the goods in less than 12 seconds! The Vice.com reporting staff claimed earlier this season that local charging stations at a hotel and shopping mall had been targeted for this type of theft. EV charging cables are quite thick and heavily insulated, but many tools are sharp enough to cut through. 

High-Volt-Rated Vigilance Amongst Frustration 

Copper prices had gone quite high during the pandemic. Authorities and residents of many metro areas nationwide were already used to theft due to heightened costs of living and addiction. This winter, a brand-new Tesla supercharger station saw every cable cut and stolen suddenly. Whenever this unfortunate event takes place in a public location, the owners always are left scrambling trying to repair things quickly. 

The cables the thieves are making off with usually just weigh a bit over two pounds. Apartment dwellers are particularly leery, as they feel they don’t always have the ideal space to store their EV safely. Sales of EVs reached a new record last quarter at over 300,000 units. This is a 48% increase from the second quarter of 2022. Thankfully, there are large padlocks available that can adequately secure your charging cable. 

A Surge in a Highly Frustrating Scheme:

Jenn Strang is the spokesperson for Seattle City Light, and was publicly disappointed that the thieves are still after what is a fairly small amount of copper. Since March of this year, thieves have hit 8 of the 13 charging stations Seattle City Light has installed in their service area. It also should be understood that this is still a very dangerous task. Unbeknownst to some of the criminals, there is some electricity flowing through the cables at all times. 

Regrettably, she also agreed that this is a symptom of a much bigger problem. As rising inflation affects the economy, there are so many who simply don’t have enough money to get by. For Seattle, each theft costs about $2,500 to repair in full. The supply chain has also just barely caught up to speed regarding the pandemic’s toll. This makes it harder for cities that even have the funds needed to keep up to obtain the new parts to keep their charging stations working sufficiently. 

What do You Make of This “Devious & Desperate” Heist?

Are you an EV owner that is now a bit concerned with this rise in theft? It is definitely a bit harrowing that criminals are willing to trespass and more just for around $12 of reward. Let us know what you think in the comments below, or check out another article with tips to help keep your vehicle from being stolen.