A bill sponsored by state Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, aiming to prevent electric vehicle (EV) charger destruction was passed out of the Senate by a vote of 48-0 last Tuesday.
Senate Bill 5542 would require the same level of scrutiny for electric-charger parts as already exists for other types of valuable metal scrap, such as streetlights, wiring and guardrails. Sellers would be required to provide identification and purchasers would be required to record information. Scrap metal dealers would be required to promptly notify law enforcement when they think they are being approached with stolen property.
“We need our power, and we need to make sure power is available when we pull up to a charging station,” Wilson said in a statement. “What would happen if you pulled up to a charger, and that cord is not there?”
Wilson owns an electric vehicle and fears EV chargers will be targeted by metal thieves. In his statement, Wilson added there will be about 20 million EV chargers installed in the U.S. by 2030.
The bill adds EV chargers to the definition of commercial metal property subject to strict record-keeping requirements. Items currently covered by those requirements include objects that could raise suspicion, such as construction materials, metal fencing, signs and markers, irrigation equipment and metal decking.
The bill now goes to the state House for approval.
