Electric Vehicles: A Surprising Shield Against Rising Auto Thefts in North America”
Electric Vehicles thefts in North America experienced a 2 percent increase in the first half of 2023, indicating a concerning trend for the latter part of the year and the beginning of 2024. However, a closer examination of the data unveils a notable exception: electric vehicles (EVs) appear to be significantly less susceptible to theft compared to their internal combustion engine counterparts. Here’s a breakdown of why this phenomenon likely occurs.
Electric Vehicles
Research conducted by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), a not-for-profit organization, and reported by Top Speed, revealed that up to 500,000 vehicles were reported stolen in the first six months of 2023 in the United States. This marked a 2 percent increase over 2022, nearly reaching record levels of grand theft auto. The worst month for thefts was May, with 87,993 vehicles reported stolen, and the U.S. averaged around 80,000 thefts per month. California accounted for nearly a fifth of all reported stolen vehicles, followed by Texas, Florida, Washington, Illinois, Colorado, New York, Ohio, Georgia, and Missouri.
Contrastingly, data from the Highway Loss Data Institute, covering 2020-2022 model year vehicles and published in April 2023, showed that all-electric models, including the Tesla Model 3, are less frequently targeted by thieves compared to their non-electric counterparts. Popular non-electric models, such as full-size pickup trucks from GM, Ford, and Ram, or common sedans and SUVs like the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Toyota RAV4, and Honda CR-V, are more often targeted.
To understand why EVs may be less appealing to thieves, it’s crucial to consider a thief’s motive. In the past, stealing a vehicle was primarily for its scrap value or to dismantle and sell its parts. Nowadays, organized thieves are more likely to aim at shipping and selling stolen vehicles as used cars in different markets, especially overseas.
The reluctance to steal EVs may stem from challenges in selling them in certain markets lacking the infrastructure or support for electric cars. Furthermore, when parked publicly, electric vehicles are often connected to charging kiosks, and cutting the cable does not release the vehicle. The vehicle’s system detects the plugged-in charging handle, keeping the vehicle locked as long as the doors are secured—a significant deterrent for thieves.
Additionally, the advanced security features of technologically connected EVs make them easy to monitor and track in real-time. Many modern EVs allow owners to remotely monitor or track their vehicle, providing an added layer of security compared to “dumber” gas-powered cars based on older technology.
While it’s not an official recommendation that purchasing an electric vehicle guarantees protection from theft, the current data suggests a lower susceptibility. Opting for an EV may pose a more significant challenge for potential thieves and offer a level of comfort to owners
