Every time Minh Hai from TP HCM goes down to his apartment building's basement to charge his Honda UC3 electric scooter, he uses a cable lock to secure the charger to the wheel before leaving. After reading about charger thefts in user groups, Hai is worried because chargers are valuable and their small size makes them easy to carry away. In Thailand, where this electric scooter model is manufactured, a 1.200 W charger currently costs 17,000-20,000 baht, equivalent to about 13-15 million VND. In Vietnam, some dealerships quote prices around 19-20 million VND, available by special order.

A charger 'chained' to a wheel while charging an electric scooter. Photo: Hai Dang.

Thu Hang, also from TP HCM, who uses a Yadea electric scooter, used to store the charger in her scooter's trunk while charging, only leaving the cable exposed. She did this due to security concerns in her apartment building's basement and public areas. Hang's scooter model has an external charging connector without a dedicated cover or lock mechanism. Consequently, she notes that if someone wanted to steal it, unplugging the charger from the scooter would be quite simple.

However, after other users advised her that chargers need to be placed in well-ventilated areas for heat dissipation to prevent overheating and potential fire hazards, Hang stopped using this method.

In most parking basements, management typically only guards the vehicles themselves, not any external accessories. While security personnel might assist with investigations and camera footage, the process is often slow, and recovery of a stolen charger is unlikely.

Charger theft is a frequent topic in electric vehicle user groups. Some members ask for protection methods when charging at public stations or in unfamiliar areas, while others inquire about police reporting procedures. Many ride-hailing drivers, who often charge their vehicles in various locations, believe that with chargers costing millions of VND, recovering them is very difficult. They advise that self-protection is the best approach, emphasizing that it is better to be proactive than to regret later, or "closing the barn door after the horse has bolted."

The charger of a common electric scooter model. Photo: Pham Hai.

For common electric scooter models, chargers usually cost a few million VND. However, some models use high-power chargers that can cost tens of millions of VND. Therefore, users' concern is not only about the risk of losing a valuable accessory but also about the challenge of finding and purchasing a replacement if an incident occurs, leaving the scooter unusable while waiting for a new charger.

Protecting your charger while charging your scooter

For most electric scooters with fixed batteries, the charger is an indispensable accessory. However, the placement of the connector between the charger and the scooter varies by model, directly impacting the device's protection.

Some models feature the charging port inside the trunk. In such cases, users can thread the cable out and close the trunk while charging. This design makes it difficult for strangers to access the connector and remove the charger from the scooter without opening the trunk. With these models, users should be careful not to pinch, press, or strain the cable when closing the trunk, and ensure the trunk lid closes securely.

Conversely, many other scooter models place the charging port outside the trunk. With this design, the plug and charging cable are more accessible, allowing others to unplug the connector from the scooter without needing to open the trunk. If the charger is also left right next to the scooter, taking the entire device becomes even easier.

An electric scooter with an internal charging port and a groove in the trunk frame to route the cable outside, making charger theft less feasible. Photo: Pham Hai.

For scooters with external charging ports, many users share tips on welding steel frames to protect the battery, allowing them to chain-lock the charger to the scooter, similar to how Minh Hai secures his Honda UC3. However, users should be careful not to tightly lock the charger to the wheel. In case of a fire, it would be extremely difficult to move the scooter to another area, preventing the fire from spreading. If locking, they can choose the handlebar or frame to secure the charger.

Users should never place an operating charger inside the trunk. Chargers generate heat during power conversion and require a well-ventilated space for heat dissipation. An enclosed space can lead to heat buildup, affecting the device and posing potential safety risks.

Hai Dang