How To Prevent Electric Car Charging Cable Theft

With the rising popularity of electric vehicles, drivers should be aware that their charging cables may be targeted by criminals looking to make some quick money.

Thieves may go after your electric vehicle charging cable with the view of selling it online. Although there is copper to be extracted from the cables, the amount that a thief could cash in on is very little so many find it more lucrative to sell it on as second-hand. Universal second hand cables can often go for about €150+ online.

How Do Thieves Steal Electric Car Charging Cables?

When you have your car charging up, the cable is usually locked into the charging socket. Despite the locking mechanisms in place, cables can be removed with the right force or with bespoke tools. Some thieves may also cut the cables loose with the theft over and done with in a matter of seconds.

If you’ve been the victim of charging cable theft, it can be costly and inconvenient to get a replacement. But if you follow our tips below, you might have a better chance of keeping your EV cable safe from the thieves.

Simple Ways To Prevent Electric Car Charging Cable Theft

Home Charging

One of the best ways to keep your electric charging cable secure is to charge at home, away from prying eyes. This is not possible for everyone especially those living in apartments or houses without driveways. If you are lucky enough to charge your car at home, you could position your car to make the charging less obvious. Closing the front gate can also limit visibility of your car charging. Ideally, the best place to have a charging unit is in a garage, but again, not a possibility for many households.

Padlocks

Padlocks are a great and simple way to secure your charging cable. One of the easiest ways to secure your charging cable is to pass it around the alloys of the nearest wheel and lock it with a padlock. Some EVs have a dedicated loop that allows you to secure your cable. We recommend checking YouTube for the best way to lock your cable based on the car you are driving.

Security Cameras

If you are charging your car in a public place, opt for an well lit area and if possible beside security cameras. Home security cameras at home can also act as a deterrent for thieves.

Dash Cams

Many dash cams will start recording if there is any movement around the vehicle so a thief may think twice before looking at your charging cable. If you are thinking of buying a dash cam, make sure to go for a model that offers ‘parking mode’.

Don’t Leave Your Car Boot Unattended

Many of us leave the car boot open when bringing in the shopping, but this could be a time for a thief to pounce. It might sound like a bit of hassle but the general rule is to keep your boot locked and closed when left unattended.

Don’t Park On The Cable

Some commentators recommend that you park on the cable to prevent it from being taken away. However, this is something that we wouldn’t recommend as you’ll most likely end up causing damage.

Invest In A Car Security Safe

Most charging cables are kept in the owner’s boot rather than being taken inside the home. To prevent theft from your boot, the charging cable could be locked into a secure box within the boot.

Go For A Tethered Home Charger

A tethered charger is considered to be a safe way to charge at home and it’s simply a charger unit that has a charging cable permanently connected to it. Using a tethered charging unit will provide you with extra peace of mind and thieves will think twice before approaching your car.

Hopefully you will have taken some good tips from our article. If you are looking to invest in an electric vehicle and are interested in the cost of insurance, why not get a car insurance quote with Chill online. It only takes a couple of minutes for us to find you the best deal from our panel of insurers.