The rise of the technological car age is undeniable. We are already talking about autonomous systems, with American revolutionaries like Tesla bringing their advanced capabilities to Australian roads. The vehicle of the future is here.

But while manufacturers look ahead, thieves are looking under the bonnet, or, more accurately, under the headlights.

In Brisbane, reports have been alarming: high-end, expensive Toyotas are being stolen without keys. How are they doing it?

The answer, and the term you are going to hear a lot in any “news” article is the CANbus. The theft involves sophisticated manipulation, sometimes through as simple a port as the headlights, or even by cutting a hole in the side of the car, to gain access to the vehicle’s central wiring system.

The acronym CAN refers to the messages and data exchanged over a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus, which acts as the central nervous system of a modern car.

Think of it as a shared chat line that lets all the parts of a car communicate to each other using just two wires. Instead of each part needing its own cable, everything—from the engine and brakes to the airbags and dashboard—uses the same connection. Each part sends little messages, and the parts that need that information listen and respond. It keeps your car running smoothly and reduces complicated wiring.

But that shared connection is also the responsibility for this surge in theft, allowing sophisticated bypasses of the traditional ignition.

Yes, they do! But, we have some serious statistics to back up why they are better equipped.

If your car is vulnerable because of its internal network, the most effective security measure is switching to a platform built with digital security as a foundational principle.

Here are four reasons why your next Electric Vehicle (EV) is far more secure than the petrol car sitting in your driveway:

EVs are fundamentally different from traditional gasoline cars, and this difference makes them much more secure against theft. Here’s a breakdown of the four main reasons why they are practically theft-proof:

1. The Computer-Controlled “Ignition”

Unlike a petrol car, you cannot “hot-wire” an EV. Starting an EV requires four major computers to recognize and authenticate each other simultaneously, like a high-tech handshake:

• The Brain (VCU): The main vehicle computer.

• The Power Source (BMS): The battery management system.

• The Engine (Inverter): The unit that powers the motor.

• The Lock (Immobiliser): The security device.

If a thief tries to bypass the ignition by injecting fake signals (like a hot-wire attempt), the entire system will immediately detect the “bad” communication and simply refuse to start. Physical manipulation is nearly impossible.

2. Digital Security That Goes Beyond the Wires

EVs have multiple layers of software security built-in because the whole car is electronic. These digital features make unauthorized control much harder:

• Unbreakable Digital Keys: Modern EV keys use advanced encryption (like rolling codes) that cannot be easily copied or spoofed by simple “relay attacks” that thieves use on some older keyless cars.

• Smart Security Gateways: Many EVs have a central security computer that acts as a filter, actively checking every message passing through the vehicle’s network (the CANbus). If a device isn’t properly authenticated, its commands are ignored.

• High-Voltage Safety Locks: If a thief tries to physically mess with the high-voltage battery or its components, the car is designed to instantly shut down all propulsion for safety.

• Team Authorization: Getting an EV to enter “ready mode” requires confirmation from several different electronic parts. Hacking just one computer isn’t enough to drive the car.

3. Built-In Tracking and Connectivity

EVs are designed to be connected to the internet, which makes them a nightmare for organized crime rings who want a car they can quickly sell and hide:

• Always-On GPS: EVs almost always have persistent, active GPS tracking.

• Remote Shutdown: Owners or law enforcement can often remotely immobilize a stolen EV.

• Constant Signal: The car is constantly sending a “heartbeat” signal to the manufacturer’s cloud service.

• Instant Alert: As soon as an EV is accessed unlawfully, the owner’s smartphone app or cloud account is usually notified.

Because of this constant connectivity, EVs have a much higher chance of being recovered, making them a low-value target for professional thieves.

4. Practical Problems with Operating a Stolen EV

Even if a thief did manage to start and drive an EV, its usage creates traceable evidence:

• Traceable Charging: Public charging stations require an account, a payment method, or an app to activate. This leaves a digital trail linked to a specific identity.

• No Quick Refills: An EV can’t just be topped up in two minutes at a gas station. If the battery is low, the thief has a small window to move the car before they are forced to use a traceable charging station to continue their getaway.

• Charging Logs: Charging networks keep detailed records of when, where, and by whom a vehicle was charged, making it easy for police to track the car’s movements after the theft.

Look, let’s be honest, we can’t sit here and guarantee that any vehicle is 100% safe from being stolen. But, for the most part, when you weigh the sophisticated, multi-layered security of an EV against the single-point vulnerabilities of older combustion vehicles, you will be significantly better off with an EV.