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We think of electric vehicles as being advanced and, in most ways, better than their gas-powered counterparts. That’s why it can be hard to accept that EVs can get stolen, often using the same techniques used to steal internal combustion cars. Fortunately, the incidence of EV theft is lower than gas-powered, but as we see in the social media post below, it can be just as painful.
Here’s one of many social media posts that has gotten a lot of responses by an EV owner about having their car stolen.
“Yesterday, our Nissan Ariya was unlocked, turned on, and driven away (and all-around town) while we were both sitting unaware and happy having a beer with our friends. When we went outside and realized our car was stolen, we called the police and then got on the phone with Nissan so that they could track the location and communicate with the police. After a few hours, the car was finally stationary and the police were able to recover it and we got it back. They abandoned it when there was 20 miles left and it started flashing that it needed a charge – LOL.
All that to say that even EVs can be stolen. We were both shocked and, maybe we are idiots, but had no idea that someone could access and then steal a locked EV without a FOB or breaking a window.”
runnyyolkpigeon contributed an explanation:
“This happens more frequently than people realize.
Any vehicle that is remotely locked or unlocked with a key fob can have its rolling code copied and replicated into a clone device. This allows thieves to trick your vehicle into unlocking and starting up.
If possible, always keep your key fobs as far away from your driveway/vehicle inside the home, and also store all your fobs in a faraday bag. Faraday bags block signals from reaching your fobs.”
PositiveVibely responded with a security suggestion:
“This is why I put boundary alerts in the Nissan app. It pushes notifications if your car leaves at least .25 miles from where the address you put in.”
Existing_Map_8939 commented about how EVs are typically unappealing for organized crime rings:
“For what it’s worth, fob cloning or CAN bus intrusions are generally for organized crime / high volume theft / overseas resales kind of car thieves. These people don’t steal EVs because countries of choice for their overseas markets don’t have any sort of charging infrastructure. People who invest in the gear to pull that theft are in it for the money, not a joyride drive around town.”
People love to compare electric vehicles to gas-powered cars, and this includes ease of theft. It’s pretty clear that a determined, sophisticated thief can steal almost anything, but the balance of difficulty seems to favor electric vehicles. EVs layer software, sensors, and authentication in ways that raise the bar. The result is a car that resists quick grabs, slows down casual attempts, and alerts the owner sooner. That combination changes the risk calculus and incentive, which is why many EV owners report higher confidence when parking an EV.
EV’s Anti-Theft Tech
Modern EVs leverage digital safeguards. Features like a PIN to drive, always-on camera sentry mode, and integrated GPS notifications make unauthorized use harder and more visible. Several brands add biometric options such as facial recognition or fingerprint to start, along with updated immobilizers and software locks across lineups from Ford, Mercedes, Hyundai, and Kia. These layers do not make theft impossible, but they make it noisy, traceable, and time consuming, which is exactly what most thieves try to avoid.
Drivetrain and Towing Constraints
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Traditional “hot wiring” does not work on electric drivetrains. EVs tend to have modern electrical architectures compared to legacy gas-powered cars. EVs generally require proper authentication to activate the drivetrain, and improper attempts risk damaging high value components before the car even moves. Quick tow-aways are impracticle because many EVs require flatbed truck, which add time, gear, and visibility. Thieves favor fast, low-friction exits, while EVs would require patience and planning that most opportunistic criminals do not bring to the scene.
Theft While Charging
A plugged-in EV adds another hurdle. Charge cables typically lock to the port during an active session, which means that a thief would need the vehicle’s fob, an account credential, or access to the car to release it. Owners who precondition while plugged in avoid the classic idling-in-the-driveway theft scenario common to gasoline cars. Parking and charging in a closed garage further reduces exposure by keeping the vehicle out of sight and making tampering more conspicuous.
EVs Are Less Attractive to Organized Crime
Stolen cars are often used immediately in other crimes or exported for resale. EVs are unattractive in both scenarios. A low state of charge limits quick getaways, while reliable, anonymous fast charging is not guaranteed on short notice. Many stolen vehicles are exported from the U.S. to other countries. The number of countries with a mature EV charging networks is relatively small. This reduces the demand for stolen high end EV. Because of the increased hassle factor and reduced foreign demand, professional crews find a higher payoff from stealing internal combustion vehicles.
Gas-Powered Cars Are Stolen in Many Ways
Because many gas-powered cars have outmoded ignition systems that rely on physical keys or key fobs, they are much more vulnerable to theft than EVs which have different and modern starting systems. Three of the top five ways that internal combustion cars are stolen involve exploiting their old-fashioned ignition systems. These theft methods include the quick grab of keys or key fobs at gas stations, convenience stores, and curbside warm-ups. Keys or fobs are also commonly acquired during home break-ins, gym/locker thefts, or valet scams. The other common methods to steal ICE vehicles involve physical actions to the vehicle like the classic “hot-wire,” or smashing a small window, plugging a handheld tool into the OBD port (a small diagnostic connector under the dashboard), programing a new key, and then driving away.
A more complex method commonly used by organized crime groups to target specific, high value vehicles is the “signal expander.” Keyless convenience can create a quiet opening for thieves. After parking, many drivers drop fobs into a bag near a door or window, placing the signal within easy reach of the street. A relay device can capture and amplify its signal so the car can be tricked into believing that the fob is present. Two people typically work together, one harvesting the signal by the house, the other standing by the vehicle to unlock and start it. The entire process can take seconds and leaves little trace. Signal expander gear costs hundreds to thousands of dollars, usually putting it at the level of organized crime groups.
Charging Hardware Is Vulnerable
While EVs themselves are tougher targets, charging accessories are attractive. Home charge cables, and wall boxes carry real resale value. Owners should mount or tether hardware securely, keep garages locked, and store portable gear out of sight when not in use. A simple bracket, padlock, or cabinet often removes the quick win that petty thieves look for.
Bottom Line
Mainly because of their more modern architecture, EVs are generally harder to steal than gasoline cars. This includes software authentication, active surveillance, and drivetrain designs that frustrate fast, silent theft. The same charging habits that make ownership convenient also create natural locks that deter opportunists. Although no vehicle is invincible, a layered approach, from PIN to drive and sentry mode to secure storage of charging gear, tilts the odds toward the EV owner and away from car thieves.
Please Drop Your Thoughts in the Comments Below
Have you ever had an EV stolen or tampered with? How did the recovery go?
Have you enabled any additional security settings like PIN to Drive, or boundary alerts?
Chris Johnston is the author of SAE’s comprehensive book on electric vehicles, “The Arrival of The Electric Car.” His coverage on Torque News focuses on electric vehicles. Chris has decades of product management experience in telematics, mobile computing, and wireless communications. Chris has a B.S. in electrical engineering from Purdue University and an MBA. He lives in Seattle. When not working, Chris enjoys restoring classic wooden boats, open water swimming, cycling and flying (as a private pilot). You can connect with Chris on LinkedIn and follow his work on X at ChrisJohnstonEV.
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Source: torquenews.com
