Tesla’s new problem: Apparently a lot of batteries were stolen
In addition to the low sales figures, the car manufacturer Tesla is currently struggling with another problem. Organized gangs systematically steal entire truckloads of expensive batteries directly from the factory premises in Nevada.
Series of thefts in Nevada
There’s a lot going on at Tesla right now. After years of development, the solar roof had to be abandoned, almost 15,000 vehicles had to be recalled because of potentially missing safety stickers and, on top of that, the autopilot’s safety functions can be circumvented using very simple tricks. Now Elon Musk’s company is facing another problem, because a lot of batteries are apparently being stolen from the Gigafactory in the US state of Nevada.
In January alone, nine truckloads disappeared directly from the company premises. There have been at least eleven such incidents since December. The perpetrators proceed strategically. They use fake IDs and shipping company names to specifically exploit vulnerabilities in the supply chain. In an incident in December, thieves stole two trailers containing Powerwall 3 home storage systems. The value of one such load is around $475,000.
The home storage systems are used to store excess solar energy from solar systems for use at night. Since they weigh over 130 kilograms per unit, transporting entire truckloads requires logistical skills and heavy equipment. This shows the high level of organization of the perpetrators.
Investigations and arrests
How Wired Citing police records, investigators say the situation is a nationwide problem. Authorities use GPS trackers to track down the stolen goods. However, an annoying breakdown occurred during a mission in Nevada. Police had attached a tracking device to an empty trailer in order to catch the returning perpetrators in the act.
However, unsuspecting Tesla employees picked up the prepared trailer early and thwarted the investigators’ plans. Nevertheless, the police are now recording their first successes. In late January, officers arrested three suspects who traveled from California using stolen identities. The men now have to answer in court for possession of serious stolen property.
Security gaps closed
Tesla has now responded to the incidents and massively tightened security precautions at the factory gates. Truck drivers must now undergo more stringent identity checks and detailed document checks. In addition, the technology of the Powerwall systems offers its own digital protection mechanism. Once stolen units are listed for sale online and flagged by the security team, they can no longer be activated. In such a case, buyers receive completely useless hardware.
However, cargo theft is not an isolated problem at Tesla. Industry experts estimate that the logistics industry in the United States incurs damages amounting to almost 18 million US dollars (around 15.8 million euros) every day. Electronic components are particularly sought after on the black market because of their high resale value.
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