Thefts of fully electric vehicles surged by 48% in the first half of 2026, prompting an insurance expert to urge EV drivers to stay alert. According to Freedom of Information (FOI) data from the DVLA, analysed by temporary car insurance provider Tempcover, 1,646 fully electric vehicles were reported stolen between January 1 and June 30, 2026, up from 1,111 during the same period in 2025.
Electric and hybrid vehicles accounted for nearly one in four of all such vehicles reported stolen in the period. Hybrid thefts rose by a more modest 4%, from 4,697 to 4,891. In total, 6,743 electric and hybrid vehicles were reported stolen in H1 2026, a 12% increase from 6,015 in H1 2025, including 206 recorded as electric diesel.
Most stolen electric models
Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows the two millionth battery electric car was registered in the UK in April 2026. Seven fully electric variants appear in the top 20 most stolen electric and hybrid variants in H1 2026, up from two in H1 2025, together accounting for 575 thefts.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 Ultimate EV is the most stolen fully electric variant, ranking third overall, with thefts rising from 34 to 116. The sixth-placed Ioniq 5 Premium EV nearly doubled from 48 to 95. Across all trims, Ioniq 5 thefts rose from 98 to 266. The four Kia variants in the top 20 (Niro 2, 3 and 4, and the EV6 GT-Line) account for 302 thefts, compared with one Kia variant (the Niro 4) in the H1 2025 top 20.
Hybrid thefts also rise
Among hybrids, the Hyundai Ioniq Premium HEV more than doubled (48 to 110) and the Toyota RAV4 GR Sport PHEV rose from 51 to 94, while the Toyota RAV4 Excel HEV 4x2 fell 46%. The Toyota C-HR Dynamic HEV CVT remains the most stolen variant in the DVLA's electric and hybrid data with 163 thefts (166 in H1 2025). It was also the most stolen variant of any fuel type across 2025 as a whole, with 437 thefts. The C-HR Excel HEV CVT stays second, with thefts up 6% to 128.
Theft patterns are more spread across makes than a year ago. Toyota variants took seven of the top 10 places in H1 2025, including three RAV4 variants. In H1 2026 they hold four, a 43% fall in top 10 places, with Hyundai variants taking four. Hybrids still account for two thirds of the top 20 list.
Insurance expert's advice
Jake Lambert, temporary car insurance expert at Tempcover, says: "As the UK's shift to electric vehicles gathers pace, vehicle crime is adapting alongside it. Thieves go where the opportunity is, and with more zero-emission models on the road, criminal tactics are shifting to follow that volume.
"This isn't a reason to avoid going electric, but it is a good reason to understand your insurance cover. A comprehensive policy is worth considering for an electric vehicle because it can cover the car, including its high-voltage battery, against accidental damage, third-party claims and theft, whether it's on the road or parked up. Cover varies between policies, so check what yours includes for the battery, charging cable and in-car tech.
"Electric car ownership also changes how households get around - from borrowing a friend or family member's electric vehicle, or sharing one for a trip. Temporary insurance can be set up in minutes, giving you your own cover behind the wheel, separate from the car owner's policy."
