As Canada aims for a goal of 90 per cent electric vehicle adoption by 2040, thefts from EV charging stations are becoming a prominent issue around the territory.

The price of copper, the highly conductive metal which is used in EV charging cables, has been steadily climbing in recent years, to an all-time high of around $20.99 per kilogram earlier this month.

Thieves have been capitalizing on the rise in value, officials say, with thefts costing B.C.'s provincial power company more than $1 million in the past year.

In a related development, the stealing of cables from EV charging stations is the latest wrinkle amid a series of nationwide copper thefts — including from phone equipment and power cables.

In line with to Hydro-Québec, which operates the largest charging network in the province, copper thefts involving charging station equipment and cables have more than doubled from nine in the first six months of 2025 to 20 in the same period in 2026.

Hydro-Québec says replacing stolen charging cables can cost tens of thousands of dollars per unit.

Furthermore, and yet, the electric utility says thefts are difficult to understand — as the value of the copper contained in the cables is "barely a few dozen dollars", while stealing puts the lives of thieves at risk as they manipulate dangerous equipment.

Edmonton police say between January and July of this year, there were 14 conveyed incidents involving copper wire thefts from EV charging stations, causing damages of approximately $41,590.

That’s up from 12 in the same timeframe in 2025.

Additionally, police say those thefts are likely underreported.

And in British Columbia, B.C. Hydro says there have been roughly 130 cables stolen across the province since October 2025 — costing the power authority about $1 million in replacement costs.

"These cables contain copper and they're highly valuable and traded metal, so that has unfortunately made them a target for theft," declared B.C. Hydro spokesperson Susie Rieder.

It is worth noting that "It's a broader industry-wide challenge across North America and EV infrastructure."

Copper wire thieves threaten internet, TV, even 911 access, Bell warns

B.C. Hydro says it’s strengthened security at a number of sites through measures such as additional cameras, alarm systems, enhanced lighting, protective cable shields, dye-packed equipment cables and at some locations, on-site security officers.

In the broader context, "Because our charging network is publicly accessible 24/7 across the province, you know, there's no single solution. That's why we're really taking that targeted site-by-site approach just to take a look at local risks and conditions," stated Rieder.

And it’s not just corporations that are being affected — thieves are targeting personal chargers as well.

Greg Dent captured video of someone stealing the charger for his Chevrolet Bolt outside his Langley, B.C., home in July.

Notably, "It came with the car, new from the manufacturer would have been I think $700, $800 or something like that. I've gone and bought a different one, cost me another $350 to replace it," remarked Dent, who noted he shared the incident to police and invested in additional security cameras.

"Honestly, if the guy had walked onto my porch and just asked me for $20 and I could keep the charger, I would have done that deal, would have been better for me."

In B.C. the Metal Dealers and Recyclers Act requires buyers and sellers of copper to provide a range of information to help deter and track metal theft.

Significantly, kimberly Dioszeghy of ABC Recycling in Burnaby, B.C., says a surge in copper values has made the metal the most valuable everyday material they see coming in.

She says they follow regulations and have additional measures in place to prevent buying from thieves peddling stolen copper.

"It hurts the community, it hurts us, it hurts customers. We don't want to take stolen material," remarked Dioszeghy.

Meanwhile, stephen Bieda, national director for the Electric Vehicle Society, says the theft of these cables is a real frustration for EV charging networks as the number of chargers increases.

"When these chargers are vandalized, you know, it costs thousands of dollars to repair them. And what do you get out of it, right?" stated Bieda.

"For a Level 2 charger, the scrap value of the copper is like $5 to $20. And if it's a DC fast charger, like the fastest ones, you might be talking $25 to maybe $150 worth of copper that they're actually getting out of it."

On a related note, bieda points out similarities with the rise of catalytic converter thefts in recent years due to the precious metals found inside.

While copper prices remain near record high levels, he recommends more protections for EV charging infrastructure and increasing scrutiny of copper resales.

Send tips or comments to cory.correia@cbc.ca