Featured EV cable theft joins cat theft

Do they have the most copper?

 

I lived within that mapped Seattle zone back in the 1980s, but haven't looked for any charging stations while visiting there since acquiring my own plug-in vehicle.

Where I did see cut EVSE cables, was two weeks ago while exploring bicycle trail improvements on the other side of Lake Washington. The EVgo station next to Bellevue Whole Foods and the new Wilburton Light Rail Station -- also next to the Eastrail Trail we were pedaling, where a new pedestrian / bicycle bridge is having an official opening ceremony as I write this post -- had all its cables cut. A CCS/CHdeMO facility, no J1772s. One of the plugs was cut off its cable and left on the ground, probably in an attempt to disguise what these cables were when taken to a scrap dealer.

Policing in Seattle was on a decline even before George Floyd, in response to investigations into and actions over their too-common abuses of force and other problems. De-policing has greatly increased since the Floyd murder, and increasing conflict with the City Clowncil, so no surprise that these mere property crimes are not being addressed on the Seattle side. But Bellevue has not de-policed to anywhere near a similar level as Seattle, so I'd expect them to still be more pro-active in dealing with these problems.

 

Shows the very ignorance of some lowlife thugs. A few bucks of copper thatruins many lives vs a CAT worth maybe $50 that ruins just one innocent life.
That said - years ago running straight propane in a van - many 24hr stations had a thug proof "umbrella" that'd open & close over the hose by use of a card that authorized use.
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Why the hell don't EA add a gauge 24 aluminum wire (hey, let's keep the cost to a minimum) that creates a loop from the charger to the handle (simply loops in the handle, not connected to any pins) and when the cable is cut, will create a break in the loop. That break would warn EA of the theft and why not have a local bell and light to show a theft is in progress!

 

Anybody think this is political and not economically motivated?

 

nope

 

I suppose that a few cord thefts, in some places, may be political. But the Seattle ones, very unlikely.

It would seem that the political cases are more likely to leave the cut cord behind. A very clear statement, and the primary evidence won't be caught in their truck.

 

Sometimes - copper theft resolves itself;

Electrocuted bodies of 2 suspected wiring thieves found - Los Angeles Times
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The Selfish Giant (movie) comes to mind.

 

i see some charging stations in very out of the way places, which may have to change in the future

 

Suspect will also have additional damage done.

 

Tesla isn't immune to vandals. We rolled up to this unit while all stalls were occupied except this one. Fortunately it still worked!


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does tesla use aluminum wiring?

 

I'm not sure what ads others are seeing today...but they picked a good one for this post

 

Don't know. Do know the cables are shorter.