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Electric vehicles attract attention everywhere they go, and not all of it is positive. Across the U.S., scattered reports have highlighted scratched paint, smashed charging ports, damaged cables and vandalized charging stations. None of these states are “danger zones,” but patterns show that busy urban parking lots, hotel garages, mall plazas and highway charging hubs can become risk points, especially where EV numbers are rising fast and public chargers are stretched. Here are 11 states where owners stay especially alert.
1. Arizona
Arizona has become one of the most talked-about states for EV owners because vandalism, charger tampering and open-lot damage have appeared repeatedly in news reports. With more than 60,000 registered EVs and hundreds of chargers across desert cities, parking areas can feel exposed, especially at night. Owners mention scratched paint, cut cables and broken ports in large city lots. Police logs in major metros record dozens of property-damage complaints yearly, and even a 5% bump makes new drivers uneasy in crowded holiday periods.
2. California
California has the country’s largest EV population, crossing more than 1.2 million vehicles and over 15,000 public chargers, which naturally means more visibility and more chances of unwanted attention. Incidents vary from graffiti to windshield damage, mostly in packed coastal cities and tech corridors where thousands park daily. While most drivers never face problems, high-density parking garages, mall lots and late-night charging areas see more complaints. Even a small percentage of vandalism incidents here represents hundreds of yearly reports simply because the EV volume is so large.
3. Texas
Texas has seen EV growth surge past 200,000 vehicles, yet many areas still rely on relatively limited charging spots, creating crowded parking clusters that sometimes attract trouble. Reports from big metro regions mention keyed doors, unplugged chargers and deliberately damaged cables in public lots. A state with vast travel distances means drivers often charge at night, when security presence can be thinner. Local records show steady property-damage complaints around busy commercial zones, and even a modest 3% to 6% rise year to year feels noticeable to new EV owners.
4. Washington
Washington’s strong clean-energy reputation comes with rapid EV adoption, already exceeding 150,000 vehicles and thousands of chargers lining urban centers. But crowded downtown parking structures and suburban shopping hubs sometimes create perfect situations for opportunistic vandalism. Owners describe mirror damage, scratched panels and charger tampering in high-traffic lots, especially where hundreds of vehicles cycle daily. Police summaries in larger cities list recurring property-damage reports, and community forums often talk about visible frustration when charging queues grow by 20% to 30% on busy weekends.
5. Oregon
Oregon’s EV footprint keeps expanding past tens of thousands of vehicles, supported by strong environmental policies and active urban charging infrastructure. However, frequent use also means frequent exposure, and users occasionally report slashed tires, sticker vandalism or damaged charge cables left in parking lots. Many events appear in dense city areas where nightlife, busy retail centers and limited monitoring overlap. Local law enforcement notes steady yearly property-damage filings, and when infrastructure costs rise and cable theft increases, even a 5%-10% uptick can shake driver confidence.
6. Colorado
Colorado’s growing EV scene, now well above 100,000 electric vehicles statewide, combines mountain tourism, packed city centers and long-haul highway travel. That mix results in parking lots filled with unfamiliar cars, poorly lit spaces and charging stations used late at night, all conditions where vandalism occasionally appears. Drivers mention broken mirrors, charger sabotage and surface damage near popular urban hubs. Police incident lists in larger cities record dozens of yearly damage claims, and cold-season travel, when usage rises by nearly 25%, only increases EV visibility and vulnerability.
7. Nevada
Nevada’s EV presence may be smaller than coastal giants, but with more than 40,000 electrics registered and heavy tourist traffic, its parking culture is unique. Casino garages, hotel lots and highway charging points run almost around the clock, sometimes without consistent monitoring. Owners sometimes complain about graffiti marks, dented doors and unplugged chargers done out of annoyance or curiosity. Local authorities log repeated vehicle-damage incidents each year, and fluctuations of 5% to 8% are common, especially during high-tourism seasons when car volume spikes dramatically.
8. New York
New York’s crowded streets and dense parking environments create unavoidable exposure for its roughly 150,000-plus EVs. From busy city garages to suburban retail lots, vehicles sit shoulder to shoulder, increasing the risk of intentional and accidental harm alike. Reports of keyed panels, broken glass and charger interference occasionally surface in high-traffic boroughs and commuter zones. Police departments document regular property damage filings annually, and even if only a few percent involve EVs, that still means hundreds of frustrating cases because overall vehicle activity is enormous.
9. Massachusetts
Massachusetts, with tens of thousands of electric vehicles and rapidly expanding charging infrastructure, experiences a mix of enthusiastic adoption and parking-lot challenges. Incidents reported by drivers range from scratched doors to tampered charging plugs, mainly in crowded university towns and busy suburban retail hubs. Public safety logs consistently register vehicle damage complaints each year, and small increases of 4% to 7% worry EV owners who often rely on shared charging points. The tighter the urban space becomes, the easier it is for frustration and mischief to appear.
10. Missouri
Missouri’s EV numbers are smaller compared to national leaders, still sitting in the tens of thousands, but visibility is rising fast enough to place electric cars under curious public attention. Parking-lot vandalism reports typically mention dents, cracked glass or damage to charging hardware in popular city centers. Police records note regular yearly property-damage complaints statewide, and spikes of even 5% feel significant because EV hubs are concentrated. As more charging plazas appear and evening usage increases, drivers stay mindful of lighting, security cameras and location.
11. South Carolina
South Carolina continues building EV momentum with tens of thousands of electric vehicles and an expanding charging network. But that emerging stage also means some stations sit isolated, poorly lit or lightly monitored, giving vandals occasional opportunity. Drivers report damaged cables, scratched paint and broken accessories in public lots near busy commercial routes. Authorities across larger cities list recurring property-damage cases yearly, and oscillations of 5% to 10% create concern in communities still adjusting to EV culture. Awareness and smart parking choices remain the strongest defenses.
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