Charging stations: cable theft multiplied by 10 in less than a year

With each pull of the pliers, a few dozen euros are in the pockets of the criminals. But for businesses, the repair bill runs into thousands of euros. The phenomenon of cable theft at electric car charging stations is becoming a scourge: in less than a year, the number of stations affected has increased tenfold, according to figures revealed by the Charge France association in Le Figaro, this Tuesday, November 3. Operators have thus suffered damage estimated at 21 million euros since the start of 2026.

“We are facing a boom in the phenomenon. More than 15% of the French network of fast charging stations has been affected by cable theft,” warns Matthieu Dischamps, secretary general of Charge France. The manager estimates that this trend remained “anecdotal” in 2025, with only around a hundred charging stations affected. At the end of October 2026, the association of charging operators already had 1,000 stolen stations and 800 complaints filed since the start of the year. In other words, the phenomenon has increased tenfold in less than a year.

The freedom to travel in a “hindered” electric car

Some of the terminals may remain out of service for several weeks while they are repaired. “This hinders the freedom of movement of the two million people who travel by electric car,” regrets Matthieu Dischamps. “Insurers refuse to cover these losses,” he adds. According to the Secretary General, the thefts could therefore have consequences on the prices of charging stations. “Thefts add operational constraints which risk being reflected in the prices paid by consumers. Hence the need to stem this phenomenon as quickly as possible with the help of the police and the justice system,” encourages the leader.

Charging cables arouse the interest of thieves because they are full of copper, a metal nicknamed “red gold” as this metal plays an important role in the electrical transition. On world markets, its price continues to increase and a kilo of copper trades at around 13 euros. Prices obviously differ on the black market, but charging stations still have to deal with acts of vandalism. These are often isolated sites, devoid of human supervision, which outlaws can attack with simple wire cutters. Fast charging stations, which work with larger cables, logically represent prime targets.

These thefts are mainly the work of organized networks, according to Charge France. “But there are more and more arrests in flagrante delicto,” welcomes Matthieu Dischamps. The secretary general adds that three trials have taken place since the start of the school year, which resulted in 2 years in prison and 10 years of ban from French territory for some of the convicted. “It must be a national effort and not just an effort localized in a few prefectures,” encourages the secretary general.

Classify charging stations as critical infrastructure?

In a written question to the Ministry of the Interior on November 3, centrist MP Olga Givernet (EPR) calls for “a reinforced public response”. She raises the possibility of classifying the “most strategic installations” as “critical infrastructure” so that they can benefit from more protection. A measure supported by Charge France. “Portugal faced the same phenomenon. Overnight, the phenomenon disappeared because one of the perpetrators of the thefts was sentenced to 9 years in prison, because the terminals are considered critical energy infrastructure,” highlights the Secretary General.