In Germany, electric vehicle charging stations have become the new target for thieves. The copper found in the cables at the stations has become an attractive source of income for thieves. This puts both electric vehicle drivers and charging station operators in a difficult position.
A Major Risk at Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
According to local sources, more than 70 charging stations are reportedly robbed on some days. The fact that each cable contains an average of $47 worth of copper is cited as the main factor contributing to the increase in the thefts. Thieves earn daily income by removing the cables and selling the copper to scrap dealers.
This situation creates a major problem for electric vehicle owners. Drivers arriving at the station to charge are inconvenienced when they find the cable missing. Experts say such incidents negatively impact the expansion of the electric vehicle sector.
Charging station operators are also forced to deal with both high repair costs and customer complaints. Replacing a cut cable can take up to two weeks.
Copper theft is not a new problem. Similar incidents have been occurring in places like construction sites and vacant homes for years. This situation is not only seen in Germany but also in many countries, including Turkey. Cable theft has been reported in the past at some Trugo charging stations in Turkey.
Charging companies are taking various measures to address this problem. Some operators are increasing their video surveillance systems, while charger manufacturer Alpitronic is developing software that detects cable theft more quickly. However, experts believe these measures may not be sufficient to fully deter thieves.
