Copper cabling has long been a target for opportunistic thieves, and now Australia’s EV charging network is the most recent target.

As reported by The Australian, EV charging stations are under attack as thieves hone in on the copper-heavy cabling used on public fast chargers.

With the demand for copper increasing, driven by a rising demand for electronic devices dependent on the metal, values for the metal have surged.

An EV fast-charger cable contains around 2.3kg of copper, worth around $30 at present.

Over the last few weeks, a Tesla Supercharger site at Raymond Terrace, NSW was targeted. PlugShare users reported that four of the 12 chargers at the location were out of order, but as of July 1st, the site has been restored to working order.

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Later, Newcastle City Council in NSW revealed that two of its fast chargers had been targeted, with thieves successfully stealing the charging cables and forcing the chargers out of service until replacement parts arrive.

Most recently, chargers at West Gosford and Kincumber have also been reported as out of action, believed to be the result of similar attacks.

These latest attacks join a growing number of targeted EV chargers, with thefts on the rise across 2025 and 2026, accelerating as the price of copper pushed upwards.

In an effort to counter the theft risk, charging provider Evie Networks has begun trialling a system called CableGuard, which includes a reinforced protective sleeve to prevent theft and a forensically-traceable liquid that marks suspects, tools, and vehicles in the event cables are removed.

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Copper thefts are also on the rise at building sites, with the National Electrical and Communications Association indicating that construction contractors are already raising quotes, factoring in the likelihood of theft, and insurance coverage is often too expensive to warrant adding to policies.

Attempted theft from an active electrical substation in Browns Plain, Queensland, left 13,000 homes without power after an attempt was made to cut an 11,000-volt cable.

The Australian Institute of Criminology estimates the cost of metal theft in Australia exceeds $100 million annually.