GNR records 101 copper thefts from electric vehicle charging points in Portugal

Harriet L. Whitmore • August 23, 2026 09:21

Operators of electric vehicle charging points are fitting geolocation trackers to charging cables in an effort to curb copper thefts, as the metal carries a significant commercial value. The crime trend first emerged in Portugal at the start of 2025 and, in just over a year, the GNR has already logged 101 incidents.

The GNR began recording copper thefts from electric vehicle charging points in 2025, and in that year alone 75 cases were counted.

By 31 May this year, a further 26 thefts had been reported, taking the overall total recorded by the authorities to 101.

According to Major Hugo Almeida, from the Criminal Analysis and Investigation Division of the GNR’s Criminal Investigation Directorate, those responsible typically strike at night, using “a simple tool, such as wire cutters” to remove the charging cables. They then strip out the copper from the plastic coating and sell the valuable metal.

Anti-theft measures

In response to this wave of thefts, operators of the public electric charging network have been tightening security around these installations. Speaking to JN, Major Hugo Almeida says companies are putting money into technological solutions to reduce how exposed the equipment is.

“One solution is installing geolocation systems in the cables themselves, which means that once a cable has been cut it can be located,” he explains.

The GNR officer adds that “forensic marking technologies and physical protection for the cables” have also been introduced, along with alert mechanisms that make it possible to quickly detect when a charging point has been put out of service and to speed up the response to a theft.

“Companies have been adapting,” Major Hugo Almeida concludes, convinced that the steps taken have helped reduce the scale of the problem. “It’s still happening, but not on the same scale as last year,” he says.

The Portuguese Association of Electric Mobility Operators and Suppliers (APOCME) likewise states that “operators have been strengthening monitoring, detection, CCTV and physical protection measures for the equipment”.

“This is a criminal phenomenon closely linked to the expansion of the electric charging network and, above all, to the rising value of copper on the black market,” Hugo Almeida also notes. “The value of copper has been increasing” and “that may explain why [charging cables] are an attractive target for criminal networks,” he adds.

The GNR officer also stresses that copper stolen from charging points is “often introduced into legal copper acceptance circuits”. “So far we have not identified any illegal copper circuits.” However, recording the identity of whoever hands over the metal at these sites ends up being important for investigations.

Thefts leave chargers out of service

Beyond the direct financial loss, many thefts have left charging points unavailable, forcing drivers to look for alternatives. “This phenomenon doesn’t only affect companies (...). It also affects a whole range of electric vehicle users,” Major Hugo Almeida warns. APOCME also argues that the impact is felt “in service availability and the user experience”, adding that the costs of these incidents divert resources that would otherwise be used to expand the network. The Portuguese Electric Vehicle Association acknowledges that the thefts “impact the user experience”, but says they will not halt the growth of electric mobility in Portugal.

Thefts by district

In 2025, Setúbal was the district hit hardest by cable theft, with 32 incidents, followed by Lisbon (22), Santarém (12), Leiria (5), Évora (4) and Aveiro (1). This year, up to the end of May, Setúbal remained the most affected, with 11 cases, followed by Lisbon (8), Évora (4) and Porto (3) - a district where no incidents had been recorded in 2025.