In the first half of 2023, North America witnessed a disconcerting surge in vehicle thefts, marking a 2% increase compared to the previous year. As the data paints a worrisome picture for the latter half of the year and into 2024, an unexpected revelation stands out amid the rising tide of criminal activity: electric vehicles seem to be emerging as an exception to this troubling trend. Here’s the full story.
The Latest Data
Recent data released by Top Speed and analyzed by the nonprofit National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) shared insights on this intriguing contrast. In a landscape where up to 500,000 automobiles were reported stolen in the US during the first half of 2023, representing a 2% rise over 2022 and nearing all-time highs for auto theft, EVs appear to be far less attractive to criminals.
The Cities With the Most Stolen Cars
May 2023 proved to be a particularly grim month, with 87,993 reported stolen cars, making it the worst month overall. Notably, California bore the brunt, contributing almost one-fifth of all reported stolen cars.
The subsequent ranking of the worst states included Texas, Florida, Washington, Illinois, Colorado, New York, Ohio, Georgia, and Missouri.
The Pattern of Theft
A clear pattern emerges when delving deeper into the statistics provided by the Highway Loss Statistics Institute in April 2023, covering automobiles from the 2020–2022 model years. Thieves predominantly target internal combustion engine vehicles over all-electric counterparts like the Tesla Model 3.
Most Stolen Vehicles
Popular non-electric models, such as the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and full-size pickup trucks from GM, Ford, and Ram, find themselves frequently on the thieves’ radar.
What Do Thieves Want?
To understand the dynamics of auto theft, it is important to know the motivations of thieves.
Traditionally, stealing cars for their scrap value was a lucrative effort. However, the landscape has evolved, with organized thieves now aiming to resell stolen cars as used vehicles abroad. As a result, consumers question why EVs, in particular, seem to be avoided by criminals.
Why Avoid EVs?
One significant factor is the market considerations thieves must weigh. Selling stolen EVs abroad might pose challenges if the destination lacks the necessary infrastructure or support for electric vehicles. Thieves, it seems, are adapting their strategies to align with market demand, avoiding stealing products for markets that show little interest.
Characteristics of EVs
Additionally, the unique characteristics of EVs themselves act as a deterrent. Many EVs are plugged into charging kiosks when parked in public spaces, and attempting to steal them involves more than just cutting a wire. The sophisticated systems recognize the charging handle’s status and lock it as long as the car doors remain locked, creating complications for potential thieves.
Built-in Security Features
Plus, technologically advanced EVs come equipped with built-in security features that allow owners to monitor or track their vehicles remotely, sometimes in real-time. This contrasts sharply with traditional gas-powered cars, which may lack such connectivity and tracking capabilities, making them easier targets for theft.
While it may be premature to declare EVs as impervious to theft, the data suggests that owning an EV may indeed pose a more significant challenge for would-be thieves.
Share Your Thoughts
So what do you think?
Does this information make you want an EV more or less?
