)
)
Electric car theft : why EVs are stolen 20 times less often than gas-powered cars
Apr 7, 2026
)
Electric cars: 20 times less likely to be stolen than gas-powered cars
In 2025, 3% of vehicles stolen in France were electric, compared to 54% for internal combustion engine vehicles and 36% for hybrids. These figures were published by the Ministry of the Interior and confirmed by the Roole Observatory, France’s leading automotive club specializing in theft prevention. Relative to the number of vehicles on the road, this means that an electric car is about twenty times less likely to end up in the hands of a thief than a combustion-engine model. And this is no coincidence: several technical, logistical, and economic reasons explain this dramatic difference.
)
Car Theft Figures in France in 2025
According to data from the Ministry of the Interior, vehicle thefts fell by 9% in 2025 compared to the previous year, returning to a level comparable to that of the Covid period. The toll remains high, however: 125,200 vehicles stolen over the year, or 343 per day—one vehicle every four minutes.
But the breakdown by engine type is very revealing:
Engine type | Share of thefts in 2025 | Share of the vehicle fleet |
Conventional | 54% | ~80% |
Hybrid (HEV + PHEV) | 36% | ~17% |
100% electric | 3% | ~3% |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior (2025 report), Roole Observatory.
The finding is striking: electric cars are stolen twenty times less often than gasoline-powered cars. With only 3% of thefts for electric cars compared to 54% for gasoline-powered cars, the gap is massive. And there are many reasons why EVs are so unattractive to thieves.
The most stolen cars in 2025: no electric vehicles in the top
The ranking of the most stolen models is clear: not a single electric vehicle appears on the list.
Rank | Model | Thefts in 2025 |
1 | Renault Clio | 347 |
2 | Toyota RAV4 | 162 |
3 | Peugeot 208 | 131 |
4 | Peugeot 3008 | 109 |
5 | Renault Mégane (gasoline models) | 103 |
Source: Roole Observatory, 2025 report.
Noteworthy point: The Renault Mégane appears in this ranking, but only in its internal combustion engine generations. The 5th generation, which is 100% electric (E-Tech), is completely absent from the theft statistics. Food for thought.
Why thieves avoid electric cars
Constant geolocation. Modern electric cars communicate continuously with the manufacturer’s servers. GPS, cellular connection, mobile app: the owner can locate their vehicle in real time, and in some cases lock it remotely. Some models (Tesla in particular, with its Sentinel Mode) continuously film the vehicle’s surroundings. For a thief, this poses a significant risk of identification.
The battery: a poisoned prize. It accounts for up to 40% of the vehicle’s value, but its weight (300 to 700 kg), the risk of electrocution from high voltage, and the complexity of removal deter underground garages. Removing a battery on a sidewalk in the middle of the night, discreetly, is practically impossible.
Spare parts that are hard to sell. Electric motors, inverters, and electronic components are often digitally marked and incompatible across brands. The black market for EV parts is virtually nonexistent, unlike bumpers, headlights, and conventional internal combustion engines, which feed a well-established resale network.
Range as a barrier to escape. A thief generally does not have access to a fast-charging station. If the battery is half-empty at the time of the theft, the range for escape is limited. And stopping to recharge means exposing oneself to surveillance cameras and leaving a digital trail. Most vehicles stolen in France are transported to Belgium (50% of cases), Germany (20%), or Spain (10%). With an electric vehicle, this type of journey becomes much more difficult to organize.
Newer vehicles, better protected. The electric vehicle fleet is younger than the internal combustion engine fleet. However, 9 out of 10 thefts now involve electronic methods (mouse jacking, relay attacks, OBD attacks). Newer vehicles incorporate more robust protections against these techniques, making electric cars statistically harder to hack.
A trend confirmed internationally
This trend is not specific to France. In the United States, the Highway Loss Data Institute reports that the Tesla Model 3 has only 1 theft per 100,000 insured vehicles, a figure well below the market average. In Germany, the German Insurance Association (GDV) confirms that no electric cars appear in the top 100 most stolen models. The destination countries for stolen vehicles (Africa, the Middle East) still have very limited charging infrastructure, which reduces the market value of a stolen electric vehicle when exported.
What impact does this have on auto insurance?
Some insurance companies are beginning to factor this data into their pricing. The lower risk of theft, combined with reduced maintenance costs (20 to 35% less than a combustion engine vehicle), may result in slightly lower premiums for electric car owners. This is an additional factor in calculating the total cost of ownership, which is often already in favor of electric vehicles thanks to savings on charging and maintenance.
Be careful, however: the cost of repairing an electric car in the event of an accident (collision, vandalism) remains higher than for a gasoline-powered model, particularly due to the price of the battery. Insurance premiums take this balance between reduced theft risk and higher repair costs into account. The overall picture remains favorable in most cases, however.
And as the electric vehicle fleet grows?
This is a genuine concern. As electric cars become more widespread, they could logically attract more attention from theft rings. Interest in second-life batteries (energy storage, reconditioning) could create demand on the black market. But manufacturers are constantly strengthening software and hardware protections. The race between security and hacking has only just begun in the electric vehicle world.
In the meantime, the conclusion is clear: driving an electric vehicle in 2026 means driving with a built-in anti-theft system that internal combustion engine models simply cannot match. And if you already own an electric vehicle, a few additional precautions can further enhance protection: enable continuous GPS tracking via the manufacturer’s app, park in a locked garage at night (75% of EV owners charge at home, often in a garage), and regularly update the vehicle’s software to benefit from the latest security patches.
Frequently Asked Questions About Electric Car Theft
Can an electric car be stolen?
Yes, no vehicle is completely safe. But statistics show that electric cars account for only 3% of thefts in France, compared to 54% for gasoline-powered cars. Their constant geolocation, the traceability of parts, and range limitations make thieves’ jobs considerably more difficult.
Which cars are stolen most often in France?
In 2025, the top 5 consists of the Renault Clio (347 thefts), the Toyota RAV4 (162), the Peugeot 208 (131), the Peugeot 3008 (109), and the gasoline-powered Renault Mégane (103). No electric models appear in this ranking.
Is car insurance cheaper for an electric vehicle?
The lower risk of theft and reduced maintenance costs work in favor of EVs. Some companies are beginning to offer slightly lower premiums. However, the cost of repairs in the event of an accident (particularly for the battery) can offset this advantage.
How can you protect your electric car from theft?
Enable continuous GPS tracking via the manufacturer’s app, park in a locked garage at night, and regularly update the vehicle’s software. Onboard surveillance systems (such as Tesla Sentry) provide an additional layer of deterrence.
Key Takeaways
Electric cars will account for only 3% of thefts in France by 2025. This low appeal to thieves stems from a combination of factors: constant geolocation, tracked parts that are difficult to resell, batteries that cannot be used without specialized equipment, and range limitations during a getaway. This observation adds to the already known benefits of electric vehicles (lower operating costs, simplified maintenance, zero local emissions) to reinforce the case for switching to electric mobility.
And for worry-free charging, consider Electra’s fast-charging stations. With the Electra+ Boost subscription at €9.99/month, you can charge at €0.29/kWh across the entire network. First month free with the code PLUS2. Download the app on the App Store or Google Play.
Written by Nicolas, Electra mobility expert
The only charging app you will need
4.5/5
on the stores