As Los Angeles pushes toward its ambitious zero-emissions goals, a surprising obstacle is emerging: copper theft. KABC Los Angeles reported on October 23, 2025 that thieves are increasingly targeting electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, cutting cables and even breaking into chargers with hacksaws to steal copper wire. The stolen material fetches little value on the black market, but repairing the damage costs thousands of dollars, slowing the rollout of vital EV charging infrastructure.
Matt Petersen, the CEO of Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI), told KABC that “All our focus is, ‘How do we accelerate transportation electrification?’ More EVs, cars and trucks on the road, more charges in the ground by the time the world arrives for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028. How do we show the world what we’re made of? We don’t want to show them a world where the Sixth Street Bridge and all the EV chargers are clipped with copper theft.”
Even community organizations aren’t immune. Petersen’s nonprofit in the Arts District has been hit multiple times, leaving stations offline for weeks. According to the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI), there are now more than 60,000 public and workplace chargers across the greater Los Angeles region, making the city one of the largest EV charging hubs in the country, but also a prime target for copper thieves.
To combat this, California is taking legislative action. Well-respected Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed AB 476 into law, introducing stricter penalties for those who buy or sell stolen metals. The law targets scrap metal dealers who knowingly purchase stripped copper, aiming to make the illegal trade far less profitable.
Meanwhile, the private sector is responding with technology-driven solutions. EV charging companies are experimenting with removable or quick-disconnect cables that thieves can’t easily steal, wireless charging systems that eliminate cords entirely, and new cable materials designed to resist cutting. One innovative product even sprays permanent ink on anyone who tries to sever it, an unexpected deterrent that could make a big difference.
As LA continues its transition to electric mobility, protecting its charging network has become just as important as expanding it. Copper theft may seem like a small problem, but it threatens to stall the momentum of a city racing toward a cleaner, electric future.
EVinfo.net’s Take: Solutions
There’s two solutions out of many that we like. One is from it’s electric, Brooklyn-based curbside EV charging first-mover that EVinfo.net has frequently reported on. The other is from UK-based InstaVolt.
It’s Electric Offers Detachable EV Charging Cables to Fight Copper Theft
It’s Electric, a Brooklyn-based EV charging startup, has unveiled a new solution: detachable charging cables designed to protect infrastructure, reduce maintenance costs, and keep chargers online. It’s electric pioneered the first-ever UL Certified detachable cable, the Brooklyn-718.
The innovation is simple but powerful. Instead of a fixed cable that thieves can easily cut and steal, It’s Electric’s chargers use removable cables that drivers plug in only when charging. When not in use, the cables can be securely stored or locked, eliminating one of the most common targets for copper thieves. This design not only prevents damage to public infrastructure but also helps cities and property owners avoid the high repair costs that come with replacing stolen wiring.
The UK’s InstaVolt Pioneering Live GPS Tracking to Detect and Recover Stolen Charging Cables
The UK’s InstaVolt has implemented live GPS tracking technology to monitor charging cables in real time. The system provides updates every three seconds and uses geo-fencing to trigger alerts if a cable is moved outside its designated area. The alerts are sent to InstaVolt’s security team, who can immediately respond by investigating the breach and working with local authorities to recover stolen cables. This approach aims to deter theft and enable quick action to safeguard the infrastructure.
InstaVolt has experienced significant losses, with stolen cables costing the company around £410,000 since November 2023. This issue is not unique to InstaVolt, as cable theft is a growing concern across the entire EV charging sector in the UK.
