Are EVs Harder To Steal?
In the old days, internal combustion (ICE) vehicles lacked the sophistication they have today. As such, if a thief wanted to steal one, they’d need to break the door lock to gain access into the cabin, then manipulate the ignition wiring to fire up the engine.
However, over the years, ICE vehicles have gained remote tracking, immobilizers, and various other security measures to make it more difficult to steal. Despite this, vehicle theft numbers continue to increase yearly. As the security systems became smarter, so do
the baddies.
These criminals use sophisticated scanning tools that wait for your key fob to transmit unlocking instructions to the car, then clone said signal. This will then allow them to fool the car into thinking that the key fob is sending instructions to it. Some other trickery is then needed to start the engine and drive the car away.
Electric vehicles lack an engine, so it’s a matter of getting into the software to gain access. Though stealing an EV might not be that different from an ICE one, there are a few deterrents, depending on the model, that might make them less desirable to steal.
Demand for EVs
Car thieves steal vehicles for parts or to sell them in another region or overseas. Compared to a Perodua Myvi or Toyota Hilux, EVs are less in demand, meaning a thief would have more trouble making money from them. Resale value for EVs and hybrids is lower than ICE ones due to the skepticism regarding overall battery health. Older ones usually suffer from some form of battery degradation.
Extra Security Measures
Depending on the EV, it might be more difficult to steal due to the need for a smart keycard or smartphone app to unlock them. Brands like Tesla require you to punch in a pin to turn on the car and drive it away. This creates another barrier that makes things a little more challenging for thieves.
Some EVs constantly communicate with the service centre to download software updates, report maintenance issues or alert emergency services if you’re involved in an accident. It could also be easier to trace if stolen compared to ICE ones that don’t have similar location tracking services.
Charge Level/Status
If a thief wants to steal an EV, there must be sufficient charge left to ensure its drivable. Otherwise, they run the risk of running out of juice halfway to the destination. This increases the risk of getting caught, which also reduces the desirability of stealing an EV.
