Extra, Extra....Read All About It!

[R1TVT]

Thing is, at a gas station, you’re not sitting in your car for half an hour or more, and in all those situations you could just turn your car and drive (even at the gas station, don’t ask me how I know). There’s a different vulnerability when you’re charging. You can’t drive your car away while you’re plugged in, and bad guys know that you’re stuck there. While most gas stations have someone working there, most charging stations are unmanned. It may not be a big concern for you or me, but for some it is a legitimate concern. I know at least one single woman who opted for a gas car even though she preferred an ev, largely because of security concerns while charging (she had no charge at home option).

Like I said, I'm def not taking anything away from anyone that has felt threatened, or has legitimate concerns. I guess I feel like most of my charging spots either sit next to a Dunkin', a Walmart, a Chipotle, a Wegmans or a WaWa. Then again, I realize convenience stores don't always draw the most wholesome crowds either.

From a quick search online: The Bottom Line: While there's no comprehensive data showing EV charging stations have higher rates of violent crime against people than gas stations, the infrastructure design poses unique vulnerability concerns — particularly the extended charging times (20-45 minutes vs. 5 minutes for gas), isolated locations, and lack of attendants. The industry is addressing these concerns through better lighting, security cameras, and more strategic placement of charging stations in well-trafficked areas.

 

[J Alynn]

Anyone else plan on buying one of these for their Scout?

EVject - EV Escape Connector

The only EV connector that enables drivers to safely stop charging and disconnect from a charger without exiting their vehicle. This crucial escape connector is essential when there are emergencies outside the vehicle while plugged-in. EVject is the safe EV breakaway, patented internationally...

evject.com

I don’t tend to find myself in many places where I fell I’d need to escape quickly but the concept is really smart and for my daughter this is something I might consider. So good for the person who came up with that

 

[J Alynn]

It’s really meant for the what if scenario. Like if you are charging in Trenton, Newark, Paterson, Camden. Where they don’t care, they just mug you.


But that’s what pocket knives are for, carry one in each area that’s reachable in my f150. I have at least 5 with arms reach.

That’s the point. I live in a very safe area others (like you) have very questionable towns like those you mentioned. So while most do t need it it’s like having a fire extinguisher in your kitchen. On a chance it could help keep my daughter safe in a risky situation it’s worth every penny

 

[THil08]

That’s the point. I live in a very safe area others (like you) have very questionable towns like those you mentioned. So while most do t need it it’s like having a fire extinguisher in your kitchen. On a chance it could help keep my daughter safe in a risky situation it’s worth every penny

Hey hey hey! I’m a coastal kid born and raised. Our towns are pretty secure due to ridiculous real estate prices and elderly people that don’t move out, because of what we call Legacy Families.

But I do find myself traveling in bad areas when going to see family in PA. Or when just exploring this beautiful state that I was raised in.

 

[J Alynn]

Hey hey hey! I’m a coastal kid born and raised. Our towns are pretty secure due to ridiculous real estate prices and elderly people that don’t move out, because of what we call Legacy Families.

But I do find myself traveling in bad areas when going to see family in PA. Or when just exploring this beautiful state that I was raised in.

I’m sorry. I wasn’t implying you lived in Trenton or that after dark you put your life in your own hands if you leave your house after dark. But now I’m implying you are a rich east coast surfer beach bum.

 

[R1TVT]

I appreciate everyone's perspective. Maybe we should just start a thread on the "The Very BEST DCFC Locations for Charging"... Plugshare already does this in the app essentially, so for those that don't already have an EV or use Plugshare, that can be a good resource if traveling somewhere unknown to get reviews of the DCFC station before hand.

While on the subject, this data from the Council on Criminal Justice regarding carjackings is interesting:

• Rates of carjacking and motor vehicle theft have increased substantially across the country in recent years, while overall robbery has declined and returned to roughly pre-2020 levels.
• Even with increases in reported carjacking from 2020 through 2023, long-term trends across the U.S. suggest that the carjacking rate in those years was substantially lower than it was from the mid-1990s to the early 2020s. Like carjacking, robberies and motor vehicle theft have experienced large declines since the mid-1990s.
• In a sample of 10 large cities, eight experienced higher reported carjacking rates in 2023 than in 2018. Across the sample, the average carjacking rate was 20.1 (per 100,000 ) in 2018 and 37.9 in 2023. Each of the 10 cities experienced an increase in motor vehicle theft, with the average rate rising from 475.6 in 2018 to 1,070.5 (more than one vehicle stolen per every 100 city residents) in 2023. Only two cities experienced higher robbery rates, with the average rate decreasing from 306 in 2018 to 284.5 in 2023.

Trends in Carjacking: What You Need to Know - Council on Criminal Justice

This analysis examines carjacking trends from 2018-2023 and compares them with trends for non-carjacking robbery and motor vehicle theft. It also explores offense characteristics for carjacking, including the use of firearms as well as victimization and case clearance rates.

counciloncj.org

 

[THil08]

I’m sorry. I wasn’t implying you lived in Trenton or that after dark you put your life in your own hands if you leave your house after dark. But now I’m implying you are a rich east coast surfer beach bum.

Ill take it hahahah

 

[R1TVT]

So, I have never worried about carjackings since I graduated. I was on the Ski Team at the University, and we had a Ski Coach who turned 80 while I was there. He was one of the more influential characters in our lives and our team had so many incredible stories from our years with him on the hill and at races around New England. Many stories were also passed down from previous grads. He was in the War (10th Mountain Division of course) went to Yale, was head of the Forestry Department, and spent a good part of his life as a French Canadian logger. One day he went down to the big parking lot behind his office to grab his Audi wagon and drive 1 mile home. A guy popped-out from behind a tree as he unlocked the car and tried to carjack him... He slammed the door in his face and put on his seatbelt. The carjacker then jumped up on his hood and kicked his leg through the windshield of the wagon. Coach bear-hugged his leg, sticking his boot under his arm and immobilized him in an awkward position with his backside on the hood - he was trapped like a wolverine. Coach started the engine, kept the bearhug on his leg and delivered him straight to the front door of the police station.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

The CCJ conflates carjackings and vehicle thefts in several of their reports. The “large increase” of “91%” that the CCJ claims is based on 6.1 incidents per 100,000 people in 2019 to 11.7 incidents per 100,000 people in 2023. It’s easy to get a large increase when the numbers are so low. A small spree would easily double that rate. And these “high” numbers are in high-population cities with the worst statistics.

Also, the locations of the crimes are not, statistically, at “refueling” stations.

Location of victimization
At or near victim's home	39%
In parking lot or garage	19
On street, not near home	22
At or near a friend's or neighbor's home	8
Other commercial building or other location	13

 

[cyure]

So, I have never worried about carjackings since I graduated. I was on the Ski Team at the University, and we had a Ski Coach who turned 80 while I was there. He was one of the more influential characters in our lives and our team had so many incredible stories from our years with him on the hill and at races around New England. Many stories were also passed down from previous grads. He was in the War (10th Mountain Division of course) went to Yale, was head of the Forestry Department, and spent a good part of his life as a French Canadian logger. One day he went down to the big parking lot behind his office to grab his Audi wagon and drive 1 mile home. A guy popped-out from behind a tree as he unlocked the car and tried to carjack him... He slammed the door in his face and put on his seatbelt. The carjacker then jumped up on his hood and kicked his leg through the windshield of the wagon. Coach bear-hugged his leg, sticking his boot under his arm and immobilized him in an awkward position with his backside on the hood - he was trapped like a wolverine. Coach started the engine, kept the bearhug on his leg and delivered him straight to the front door of the police station.

Great story and I get it but I as a woman have a different perspective. It’s not going to keep me from buying a BEV, but I definitely would not be charging at night in an unlit area.

Every woman has a story and most of us multiple. They are seared into our memories.

I’m not worried about the carjacking as much as I would be ending up at crime scene B.

So well lit, crowded charging stations when I’m on my own.

 

[R1TVT]

Great story and I get it but I as a woman have a different perspective. It’s not going to keep me from buying a BEV, but I definitely would not be charging at night in an unlit area.

Every woman has a story and most of us multiple. They are seared into our memories.

I’m not worried about the carjacking as much as I would be ending up at crime scene B.

So well lit, crowded charging stations when I’m on my own.

Yes, I can 100% understand that perspective, and there's good news... A large majority of DCFC locations (on the East Coast at least) are likely situated in much safer locations than many other places where carjackings would be more likely to occur (whether it be in an EV or an ICE vehicle). Well lit, usually in busier locations with amenities like restaurants or shopping at or near the chargers. I have no experience charging anywhere other than along the Eastern seaboard though.

 

[THil08]

Yeah it looks like it’s mainly just the side marker lights that’s changing but they’ll make it different to closely resemble the concepts.

After looking at the design again, changing the side markers manufacturing, won’t change its look.

All they will probably do is make the side maker more flush to the panel and not come under the panel and reappear like how they are now. But it will still have that effect.

 

[TigerEyeJazz]

After looking at the design again, changing the side markers manufacturing, won’t change its look.

All they will probably do is make the side maker more flush to the panel and not come under the panel and reappear like how they are now. But it will still have that effect.

Yep precisely

 

[J Alynn]

After looking at the design again, changing the side markers manufacturing, won’t change its look.

All they will probably do is make the side maker more flush to the panel and not come under the panel and reappear like how they are now. But it will still have that effect.

Agreed. As long as the light bar slides in a bit you’ll never know. Both times I’ve seen them in person I looked to see if the light actually continues through so it should be simple enough to simplify and still achieve the concept look

 

[THil08]

Sorry for the french in this video. But he has a point if you ask me. Pls no wheel locks Scout. Most cars in made here don't have them. Premium or Not.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

Yes, I can 100% understand that perspective, and there's good news... A large majority of DCFC locations (on the East Coast at least) are likely situated in much safer locations than many other places where carjackings would be more likely to occur (whether it be in an EV or an ICE vehicle). Well lit, usually in busier locations with amenities like restaurants or shopping at or near the chargers. I have no experience charging anywhere other than along the Eastern seaboard though.

Yeah, it’s similar in the southwest and west coast / pacific northwest. There are, of course, some in weird places. But in the hundreds of DCFC charging sessions my partner has done, many alone, she has only considered one location to be too sketch. She moved on to another charging station. The density is high enough in most places that you can consider another charging location.

 

[Mousehunter]

I have never really been worried about being car jacked at a gas station. Lots of lights, plenty of witnesses, plenty of cameras. I did have a client attacked at a gas station - but his daily carry stopped that pretty damn quick. But I am in Texas. It was a road rage incident. He had been tail gated for quite a few miles before being low on gas - and pulling into the station. IIRC his attacker went to jail. It was before dash cameras - but the gas station security cameras got plenty of evidence.

I guess I could be more worried about attacks when charging. Chargers tend to be at the edges of parking lots - presumable less traffic, less lighting, less security, less witnesses, AND more time spent. I expect the Scout will be available with a full camera package and possibly even a panic button. Given I live and spend time in areas that are fairly anti-EV's (mostly because they are anti-liberal) - I would not mind having a good set of cameras and cloud storage. Vandalism is probably my larger concern however.

 

[Chuckles]

BMW Might Put Gas Engines In Its Big EVs: Report

https://insideevs.com/news/780064/bmw-evs-with-gas-engines-erev-report-i7-ix5/

 

[R1TVT]

I expect the Scout will be available with a full camera package and possibly even a panic button.

Yes. I think modern EV's come well-equipped with a ton of additional safety features (built right in). I'm guessing a lot of gas station surveillance doesn't always operate properly, and the help, well, not always helpful. If you leave your truck to charge at a DCFC, many sentry features (in my case "gear guard) allow remote access to the cameras through the app. You have automated recording. You can sound your alarm from the app. you can turn lights on around the truck remotely with lock and un-lock features. You can configure lights to stay on when locking or unlocking, etc. and you will most likely always have your smartphone with you too. This is a good point.

Given I live and spend time in areas that are fairly anti-EV's (mostly because they are anti-liberal) - I would not mind having a good set of cameras and cloud storage. Vandalism is probably my larger concern however.

Interesting - there are many conservatives where I live that also drive EV's. You could argue that owning an EV is more fiscally conservative in the long run (and better for the environment). You could be more energy independent by adding solar and charging at home. If you are an outdoorsperson that wants clean air, water etc. an EV is the best choice.

 

[THil08]

BMW Might Put Gas Engines In Its Big EVs: Report

https://insideevs.com/news/780064/bmw-evs-with-gas-engines-erev-report-i7-ix5/

They finally listened to us mechanics, when they asked about EREVs