Copper Thieves Target Aussie EV Chargers, Leaving Drivers Stranded
A sinister crime wave is sweeping across Australia as thousands of drivers continue to feel the pressure each time they hit the road. EV fast chargers are being targeted by opportunistic thieves, who are attempting to cash in on the price of copper. In Ballarat, Victoria, up to 20 ultra-fast Tesla charging stalls near a petrol station were stripped of their cables, rendering them unusable.
The incident highlights an emerging trend among thieves who resell the metal they contain amid the cost-of-living crisis and the rising price of copper. According to one driver poster, the chargers all appeared 'brand new'. The thefts are not only affecting Tesla users but also other EV users in the region.
Professor Hussein Dia, a transport technology expert at Swinburne University, said that there's no doubt EV charging cable theft is becoming a more significant infrastructure issue in Australia. He noted that the continuous attacks on EV chargers 'undermine confidence in public charging' as Australia shifts towards a more EV-centric future.
Drivers need to know that when a charger appears on a map, it will actually be available when they arrive. Infrastructure providers are coming up with their own solutions, such as using aluminium cables and installing CCTV cameras and alarms, to help curb the issue.