EV drivers have been given an urgent warning over a major issue that could put their vehicles at risk.
Data compiled by motors experts at Vantage Leasing has revealed that car-related crimes are on the rise, with electric models now a target.
GettyEV owners were warned over a major issue that could see their cars at risk[/caption]
The research found that Google searches relating to car theft increased by over 40 times, while figures from the Office for National Statistics show that vehicle-related crimes rose by 13% last year.
A whopping 405,872 offences were reported between March 2022 and March 2023, compared to 360,712 the previous year.
The experts said: “Electric cars are valuable, and they can be easier to steal than traditional cars because they don’t require a key to start.
“Keyless entry systems are becoming more and more common, but they can also make cars more vulnerable to theft.
“Criminals also target electric cars for their batteries, which can be worth a lot of money, and home charging cables which can be sold on second-hand markets or sold for the metal inside.”
Fortunately, they issued six tips to help protect your car from crooks.
First of all, they advised drivers to keep their key fob away from the front door or store it in a signal-blocking pouch to protect against relay attacks.
These devious crimes are carried out using a signal relay, which can amplify or mimic the signal transmitted from your key fob.
Not only does this let shady characters unlock your car but, with the rise of keyless ignition, it can even allow them to simply drive it away.
Some EVs use an app as a key rather than a physical fob, making relay attacks impossible.
However, these can be subject to phone hacking and data breaches, so make sure you set up two-factor authentication.
This means that whenever you login to the app you can opt to receive a text to a pre-set number or, in some cases, a phone call to verify your identity, adding an extra layer of security.
Next, the experts recommended installing some easy safety features to make stealing the car not worth the effort.
For example, you can buy a steering lock for as little as a fiver online while installing a visible alarm system is a great deterrent.
Plenty of modern cars also come with security cameras or tracking systems, but these can also be purchased after-market to keep your motor safe.
Likewise, if you have a driveway, installing some bollards can give you belt and braces protection against opportunistic thefts.
Speaking of which, the experts warned that automatic wing mirrors can show thieves when a car has been left unlocked, so always be sure to secure your doors even if you are just popping away for a couple of minutes.
Finally, they advised varying your parking spot and time if possible as thieves can often target cars which they know will be parked in the same spot each day.
This means criminals can’t know when the car will be unattended and for how long and so can’t be sure of a window of opportunity.
It comes after a car dealer revealed the three illegal tricks salesmen will use to make customers pay more.
Meanwhile, a car cleaning expert shared four things you should never do when washing your motor.