Rising copper prices spur surge in thefts of electric vehicle charging cables
As copper prices hit record highs, thieves are increasingly stealing EV charging cables, costing utilities millions across Canada.
Record-setting copper prices, recently reaching about $20.99 per kilogram, are driving a spike in thefts of electric-vehicle charging cables across Canada. B.C. Hydro says about 130 cables have been taken since October 2025, creating roughly $1 million in replacement costs, and Hydro-Québec reports incidents climbing from nine in early 2025 to 20 in the same period of 2026. Edmonton police logged 14 thefts from January to July, with damages near $41,590, and private owners such as Greg Dent have also reported losses.
Officials note that the copper in a charger is worth only a few dozen dollars, yet thieves risk injury handling live equipment. In response, utilities are adding cameras, alarms, brighter lighting, cable shields, dye-packaged cords, and even on-site security guards. Industry groups stress the need for stronger protections and tighter monitoring of copper resale as the EV charging network expands.
Why it matters
Thefts raise costs for utilities and hinder EV adoption by damaging essential charging infrastructure.
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