Thieves are cutting copper cables from electric-vehicle charging stations across several regions to sell the metal on parallel markets [1].
This trend threatens the reliability of green energy infrastructure and increases costs for operators as the transition to electric transport accelerates. The thefts target the high market value of copper, creating service disruptions for drivers.
Authorities have reported a wave of incidents in France, including thefts in Plounévez-Moëdec, Lannion, and Saint-Sébastien-sur-Loire [2]. In one specific case, two men aged 21 and 23 were arrested for copper cable theft [1]. That incident occurred on April 22, 2026, at approximately 4 a.m. in Saint-Sébastien-sur-Loire, located near Nantes [1].
The vandalism has not been limited to a single region. Charging points have been targeted in Seine-et-Marne, and similar patterns of theft have been observed in Montréal, Canada [3, 4]. In Plounévez-Moëdec, the thefts occurred in a restaurant parking lot, while in Lannion, the cables were cut in a shopping-center parking area [2].
Law enforcement officials said the crimes are driven by the rising market price of copper [2]. The process involves cutting the heavy-duty cables from the charging pillars, which renders the stations unusable until repairs are completed. These attacks often occur during the early morning hours to avoid detection [1].
Operators of these stations must now consider enhanced security measures to protect the hardware. Because the cables are exposed and accessible, they remain an easy target for vandals equipped with basic cutting tools [3].
“Thieves are cutting copper cables from electric-vehicle charging stations across several regions.”
The targeting of EV infrastructure highlights a vulnerability in the physical deployment of charging networks. As copper prices fluctuate and the density of charging stations increases, the risk of systemic vandalism grows, potentially slowing the adoption of electric vehicles if reliability decreases or insurance costs for operators rise.
