Driver shares photo of alarming scene at local charging station: 'Is this the future we have to look forward to?'

A driver took to Reddit to voice their concern about possible vandalism at an electric vehicle charging station they visited.

The poster shared photos of a four-space Electrify America charging station blocked off with caution tape, asking, "Is this the future we have to look forward to?" The second photo highlights a piece hanging off one of the charging ports. The poster asserted this indicated vandalism.

As electric vehicles become more popular due to the low cost of driving them and their minimal impact on the environment, vandalism against them and EV charging stations is becoming more widespread. Charging stations are particularly vulnerable because they contain valuable copper. The precious metal can often fetch up to $3 per pound at recycling centers, per Reliable Recycling Center.

"The faster the charger, the thicker the copper," the original poster wrote. "The more value (to a thief)."

One commenter pointed out that the copper might not have been the target, but rather the message the act sent. The commenter implied that the vandal or vandals might have broken the chargers just to prevent others from using them.

"Everyone is assuming they were cut for the copper, and not the sheer act of vandalism," the commenter said.

While the motive is unclear, one thing is certain. Acts like this discourage drivers from buying EVs, as does bad press regarding safety and confusion about affordability. Meanwhile, headlines have ignored the advancements in EV technology and the dramatic drop in upfront cost, according to The New York Times.

This act of vandalism perpetuates a culture unsure of the reliability of EVs. According to a poll by the Associated Press, about 46% of Americans are unlikely to buy an EV, citing charging station accessibility as a factor. But there is hope for a cleaner future.

The same poll revealed that about 40% of Americans are likely to consider purchasing an EV. If they do, they can apply for tax credits of up to $7,500 on their next tax refund, per the U.S. Department of Energy.

When you think about owning an EV, what concerns you most about public charging stations? Chargers not working 🚫 Chargers not being available 😥 Charging being too expensive 💰 Charging taking too long ⌚ Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

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