Copper thieves have new target: electric vehicle charging stations

SEATTLE — Thieves on the hunt for copper have discovered a brand new goal: electrical car charging stations.

Seattle Metropolis Mild says eight of its EV charging stations have been hit since final March. The thieves are on the lookout for what the utility says is a small quantity of copper.

Thieves hit the charging station in Seattle’s Central District simply this previous weekend. And that was the second time thieves vandalized this EV charging station.

Now house owners of electrical automobiles are discovering indicators posted on EV stations indicating they aren’t working.

“So, they’re coming, they usually’re taking an implement, they usually’re chopping it off on the finish,” stated Jenn Strang, a spokesperson for Seattle Metropolis Mild.

She confirmed us simply what the thieves had been after.

“So, you may see on the finish the place there’s a small quantity of copper,” Strang stated, pointing to the remaining stub. “However the remainder of it’s simply an insulated cable.”

A small quantity of copper and never a big return.

“What they assume may be very precious seems to not be very precious in any respect,” Strang stated.

The worth? “It’s about $10,” she stated.

You’ll be able to see the cables the thieves are slicing off at electrical car charging stations that haven’t been focused.

Since March, crooks have hit eight of the 13 charging stations Seattle Metropolis Mild has round its service space. And it’s harmful. Some electrical energy is all the time flowing by way of the cables.

Nonetheless, the crime doesn’t shock customized furnishings designer Joel Shepard who works throughout the road from these stations.

“Properly, in the event that they’re going to take catalytic converters and threat there,” stated Shepard, “why not take the simple ones?”

“I really feel like that’s only a symptom of a much bigger downside,” stated Maddie Fives, Seattle, “which, like, sucks as a result of electrical automobiles ought to have a spot to cost. However we should always do one thing in regards to the individuals who want cash and meals and housing.”

In the meantime, Strang says Metropolis Mild can also be planning a pilot program to create curbside EV stations which might be basically only a pole and a hose that drops down.

“We can have 30 of those who we’re putting in all through the service territory,” stated Strang. “And that’s beginning as quickly as February.”

The thefts are a really costly crime for Metropolis Mild. It prices $2,500 to restore these stations each time this occurs.

There’s one other downside. That is taking place in quite a lot of locations. So, provide chain points are making it troublesome to maintain up with demand.

And, in fact, this can be a crime. If you realize something about these thefts, you’re requested to name Seattle Police.

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