Untethered leads get stolen from open drives, and tethered leads get cut in some areas. The proportionate answers are a socketed charger with the lead kept indoors, a tethered lead you accept as a consumable, a lit and visible mount, and not leaving a public-style cable out overnight. Locks and holsters deter casual theft and do not stop a determined cut. Report serial-style markings to the police if you have them, and do not chase someone down the street.
Check eV charging lead theft at home before you accept a price
Insurance may cover a lead under contents or motor. Ask. The excess may be more than the lead.
The price effect of eV charging lead theft at home
A holster is cheap. Replacing a cut tether and the gland behind it is not. Prevention is in the purchasing choice.
A miss that shows up later: eV charging lead theft at home
The mistake is a cheap padlock through a connector in a way that damages the weather seal, or a lead trailed across the pavement that was never lawful anyway.
Write eV charging lead theft at home into the quote
Note the theft mitigation in the quote if you have chosen socketed storage or a particular holster.
EV charging lead theft at home
If you are buying now in a street with a history of this, say so. The installer can avoid a setup that displays an expensive loose lead.
- Keep loose leads indoors
- Holsters deter casual theft
- A cut tether is a repair, not a reset
- Do not damage seals with improvised locks
Frequently asked questions
Are tethered units safer?
The lead is always there, so it can be cut, and it is not forgotten in the house. Trade-off, not a moral victory.
Will CCTV help?
It can. It is not an electrical specification. Do not drill through the charger's zone for a camera cable without thinking.
Does the car lock the connector?
Many EVs lock the inlet while locked. That does not protect a lead left plugged into a socketed charger at the wall end.
Should I brand the lead?
Marking it may help a dispute. It will not stop a cut.
Core buying guides
Start with these high-intent guides, then dig into the rest of the library.
Related guides
Sources and further reading
How this guide was prepared
This guide was written by the Local EV Installers Editorial Team. We compare official guidance, legislation and established consumer information, separate general information from project-specific advice, and show publication dates and sources. We do not accept installer accreditation claims at face value.