Electric Car Charger Vandalism Continues To Surge Nationwide (2024)

A Tesla Supercharging station in the Bay Areawas recently targetedby vandals who severed the charging cord from every stall. A few days prior,5separate Supercharger locations were strippedin Houston, TX.In Fresno, CA,over 50 of thecity’s88 EV charging stations have been pillaged – somemultiple times.

Since the start of 2024, hundreds of Level 2 (L2)and DC fast charging (DCFC) stalls across the United Stateshavebeen targetedby scalpers and vandals.Historically, mostvandalism against EVs and charging infrastructurewas committed by those with anti-EV beliefs or some personal vendetta. But more recently, thieves are just looking to make a quick buck by nabbing the copper material used in cable wiring.

The scrapped metal is then soldto recyclerswhopay pennies on the dollar for the raw materials. For a haul that might net criminals $50 at most, the damage often costs cities and charging operators thousands to source and install new charging cords.

Of course,it'snot just about the financial cost to providers.The damage causesmajorheadaches for EV driversjust trying to get totheir next destination.

Over the past few days, Tesla Superchargers in Houston,TXhavebeen hit especially hard.As reported by KPRC in Houston, 5separate supercharging sites were defaced over the past two weeks, disrupting the charging situation in the Texas city. Thankfully, Teslawas quick to notify drivers to avoid these stations as repairs got underway.

A similar situation has developed in the Bay Area.In a video posted by TikTok userk9optima, every charging cord at this station in Vallejo, CA stationwas recently severed.

It’snot just Superchargers that arebeing targetedof course. Brand new installations from Puget Sound Energy (PSE) in Sumner,WAhave been hit notonce,but twice since being installed at the start of the year.

In an interview with KING 5 Seattle, property owner Dave Radcliffe spoke with reporters about how he was happy to play host to the new chargers. But just one week after the ribbon-cutting eventwas held, local criminals held a cable-cutting event. A month after being repaired,the stations were hityet again.

What Steps Are Governments And Property Owners Taking?

“Unfortunately, things like this continue to happen.”Mr. Radcliffe told KING 5 Seattle. He explained their plans to discourage further vandalismin the futureby installing large 8-foot tall lights and upping security.“I’mgoing to provide more security,we’regoing to have a direct camera on this area.”

While EV chargers are just the latest target for scalpers, wire theft has been an issue for decades. Everything from extension cords to fiber optic cables and phone lines is fair game.

According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, wire theft has cost taxpayers $1.5 millionjustsince 2021 on public property alone. The city of Minneapolis, MN said 2023 was the single most challenging year for combating wire theft. Last year began with thieves pulling the copper wires from street lights in Minneapolis and thankfully several of them have been caught. But by the end of the year, EV chargers started becoming a prime target.

The city of Fresno,CAis taking a more dramatic response to the rampant vandalism they have suffered. Among the 88 L2 and DCFC units installed by the city, 50 havebeen recently vandalized. So by the end of the summer, they will be installing new custom cabinets around eachof the units. These cabinets can be secured during off-peak hours.

"We do not repair the ones that havebeen damageduntil the steel cabinet hasbeen installed.”Parking division manager Melissa Alaguer told ABC 30 Action News.“And then we repair them, but in addition to that, we have also increased our security."

The purchase and installation of 88 custom cabinets will cost around $176,000. Whereas the raw materials from all 88 stations combined would probably be worth only $500-$750.

Why Have Scalpers Started Targeting EV Stations?

One of the main reasonselectric vehicle stations might be targetedis due to their locations. Chargersare typically installedin areas with convenient public access. Suchas shopping centers, college campuses, big box retailers, drug stores, fast food restaurants, public parks, etc.

These areas have a lot of foot traffic during the day butare practically desertedat night.Having morechargers installed along major traffic arteries such as major highways might make them less vulnerable.It would also help considerably if more units were installed under well-lit canopies such as gas stations with 24-hour attendants.

We have seen these types of attacks and reported on them in the past. But their frequency ison the riseas more electric vehicle infrastructureis installedworldwide.

Still, sometimes the vandalismis not about the money at all.Property damage is also performed by petty, anti-EV actorsall over the world just looking to make life more miserable for others.An individual in British Columbia,Canadadipped the charging plugs of a Tesla Supercharger in a sealant,whichwhendriedrendered the station inoperable.

Last monthaFord Ranger driver used a hammer to smashthe stalls ofa Tesla Supercharger station in Taupo, New Zealand.Thankfullyhelingered too long at the site and was arrested.Hopefully with increased security, lighting and cameras at public charging sites, criminals like thiswill be broughtto justice.

Have you been impacted by charging infrastructure vandalism on your personal property or when trying to charge at a public site? Have you noticed an increased frequency of these incidents in the past year? Let us know your experience below.