Imagine arriving at a charging station for your EV only to find the cable snapped in half or the entire station offline. With rising cable theft, EV owners and charging station investors are now facing a new challenge: ensuring their vehicles get the power they need. What’s the solution when the infrastructure isn’t reliable?
Missing Cable
As annoying as that sounds, this is the sheer reality for many American EV owners. Thieves have now resorted to stealing the charge station cables for the valuable copper.
Caught on Camera
A charging station based in Detroit, which is in full view of surveillance cameras, recently experienced cable theft. Reports state that the camera witnessed men prepared with flashlights and bolt cutters sniping and steeling the charging station cables. The theft only took place in under three minutes.
Why the Charging Cables?
Inside the charging cables is copper wire. Copper is a conductor of electricity and a crucial part of why the cable can transfer electricity. Thieves are making money off the copper concealed inside the cable.
Is Copper Worth Anything?
Commodity.com says copper is worth $4.51 per pound (0.45kg). Research by IDTechEx reported that the demand for copper will increase in years to come because of the requirements for the production of EV cars.
How Much Copper Is Needed?
IDTechEx reports show an internal copper combustion engine uses about 23kg copper (50 pounds). HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicles) uses 40kg (88 pounds) of copper, and PHEV (Plug-in Hybrids) uses 60kg (132 pounds) of copper. A BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) 83kg (182pounds) of copper, an Ebus HEV (Hybrid Electric Bus) 89kg (196 pounds) of copper, and an Ebus BEV (Battery Powered Electric Bus) uses between 224-369kg (493-813 pounds) of copper.
The Demand for Copper: The Future Is Set To Increase Massively
IDTechEx also said that the demand for copper is estimated to grow from 185,000 tonnes in 2017 to 1.74 million tonnes in 2027. The outlook for the number of electric vehicles, including HEVs, PHEVs, and BEVs, is said to increase to 27 million by 2027.
Increase Demand for Copper Allowing Criminals To Cash In More
The demand for copper and its growing value are causing criminals to benefit even more. The higher the copper price rises, the more money criminals potentially earn when their copper is weighed in.
Not Necessarily A Charge
If EV owners encounter a broken charge station, they must search for another to power their vehicles. Many EV owners are now stressed that even when they find the next charge station, they might be unable to charge their vehicle, as thieves can move quickly from one station to the next.
EV Vehicle Manufacturers’ Troubles Continue
Amid the recently imposed EV import tariffs and other challenges the industry faces, charging cable theft has added to the problem. While America aims to convert as many people from carbon to electric, the theft might deter consumers from wanting a PHEV or EV.
Car Manufacturers Invest Billions
With the goal set high to convert more customers to EV use, manufacturers are also setting goals for the number of EVs on the road. As part of their Dare Forward 2030 plan, Stellantis has invested over €50 billion to get 50% electrified passenger vehicles on the streets in Europe and America by 2030.
A Word From a CEO
“….have a future where mobility is accessible to all. We are innovating, driving costs down, and packing the latest technologies in all our vehicles…” Stellantis CEO, Carlos Tavares said.
EV Charge Station Providers
EV charging station providers like Flo and EVgo have stations across the country that have experienced firsthand the impact of cable theft crime. “Vandalism of public charging infrastructure in the Seattle Metro area has unfortunately been increasing in frequency.”
The Theft Is Interrupting Lives
An Uber driver, Roy Manuel, said in an interview with ABC News that the Tesla charge station he usually uses in Houston has also been hit. He worries that he won’t be able to use the station. He also fears that if his vehicle’s battery is too low he won’t reach the next charge station. Instead, he would have to call a tow truck. Inevitably, Manuel would have to spend money on a tow truck and risk losing income
A Way Forward
Law enforcement is working with The Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) to combat this crime. ReMA reports scrap theft alerts, which help the public be on the lookout and report suspicious activities. The police are reportedly investigating and trying to track down the suspects in the surveillance footage.
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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Darunrat Wongsuvan.
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