A 25 foot Level 2 charging cable contains around 5 pounds of copper and nets $5 to $7 unstripped at a scrap yard. A pair of DC fast charger cables holds about 40 pounds of copper for roughly $40. Published figures across networks and police put the realisation at $15 to $20 per cable.
Heavy cable, heavier jacket
Charging cables look like the best copper on any modern vehicle. They are thick, heavy, and flexible, and the conductor inside is substantial.
The problem is everything around it. As one industry account puts it, this is not a matter of peeling back an outer coating: inside that jacket sits a bundle of wires each encased in its own sturdy insulation. Charging cables also use silicone and thermoplastic jackets built to survive being driven over, and silicone jacket wire recovery is poorer than ordinary PVC for that reason, dragged across concrete and left in the sun for years.
Stripping that out is hard work, which is why scrap prices for unstripped cables are, in the same account's words, pretty low.
Today's insulated copper backdrop: the numbers, published
Route or component Basis Notes Value today (USD) Measurement What the figure is based on What changes it Computed from the live rate unless marked a reference Replacing a cut DC fast charger cable Cost, not income Repairs can exceed $8,000 per charger $2,000 to $4,000 Replacing a home or public Level 2 cable Cost, not income A city operator quotes about $1,000 per cable $1,000 to $2,700 DC fast charger pair, unstripped About 40 lb of copper Roughly $1 per pound of contained copper $40 to $40 Any charging cable, typical scrap realisation Per cable The figure police and networks both cite $15 to $20 Level 2 cable, 25 ft, unstripped About 5 lb of copper Contained copper worth several times that $5.00 to $7.00 Copper actually inside a Level 2 cable 2.2 to 5 lb Sources differ; this is the theoretical figure $13 to $29
One charging network published the arithmetic directly, and it is worth quoting in full because it is unusually specific.
The j1772 cable copper weight is published directly: a typical Level 2 station with a 25 foot cable contains about 5 pounds of copper. At copper prices around $5 a pound, that looks like $25 of metal. Unstripped at a scrap yard it returns $5 to $7.
A DC fast charger is worse in proportion. Its two cables hold about 40 pounds of copper, for a potential payout of about $40 unstripped. That is roughly a dollar a pound for metal worth several times more.
Other sources put the charging cable copper value on a single lead at 2.2 pounds rather than 5, and police and networks both cite realisations of $15 to $20 per cable. The figures differ because cable specifications differ, but they agree on the direction: a fraction of the contained value.
Recovery percent measured: J1772, CCS and THHN compared
Three things stack up against you, and they are the same three that make the wiring harness a poor prospect, only more so.
Insulation mass. These jackets are thick by design, so the copper share of total weight is low compared with building cable.
Multi-layer construction. Each conductor inside carries its own insulation, so removing the outer jacket does not free the copper. It just gets you to the next layer.
Fine stranding. Charging cables are finely stranded for flexibility, which is excellent for durability and poor for hand stripping. The battery cable page sets out why granulation, not stripping, is the route for fine-stranded and thin-gauge material.
All of that is why the insulated copper recovery percentage on this material sits well below the 90 percent that heavy building cable achieves.
The asymmetry, and why it matters to a seller
The reason this subject is in the news at all is theft, and the economics are worth stating because they are so lopsided.
A cut cable yields $15 to $20 of scrap. Replacing it costs a city operator about $1,000, a network $2,000 to $4,000, and one Los Angeles resident $2,700 for a home cable. Repair costs across a damaged charger can exceed $8,000.
So the metal recovered is a rounding error against the damage done, which is the honest summary of the whole phenomenon.
There is a practical consequence for anyone selling legitimately. Police in several cities now visit recycling centres looking for cut cable, and the Recycled Materials Association issues scrap-theft alerts to its 1,700 members. Yards are wary of this material precisely because it is hard to trace once the insulation is off.
If you are selling a cable you own, keep the proof. A broken level 2 charger with its unit attached, a documented replacement, or a decommissioned station with paperwork is a straightforward transaction. A bare length of cut cable is not, and expect questions.
Connectors, the boards inside, and a broken level 2 charger scrap decision
The useful part, since most people reading this have a damaged or replaced cable rather than a scrap opportunity.
A broken level 2 charger is worth more whole than in pieces. If the cable works, sell it as a part. Replacement cables cost hundreds to thousands, so a functioning J1772 or CCS lead has real buyers, and that dwarfs any metal value.
If the connector works but the cable is damaged, the connector head is often the valuable piece. Some are repairable and some are sold on for rebuilding.
If the whole unit is dead, an EVSE contains a circuit board, contactors and relays alongside the cable. That evse circuit board scrap grades in the same band as the ECU, and the silver in the contactors is real if the volume is there.
If it is genuinely only metal, sell the ev cable scrap as insulated copper by weight and accept the recovery deduction. Do not expect the thick gauge cable scrap price paid for building wire. Do not burn insulation to improve the grade: it is illegal in most places, it produces toxic smoke, and burnt copper grades lower rather than higher.
Level 2 chargers vs DC fast cable: strip or sell insulated, the verdict
For context on why the grade is what it is.
Heavy building cable at 250 to 750 MCM recovers around 90 percent copper by weight. THHN runs 75 percent, Romex 65 percent, communication wire 48 percent. Charging cable's thick multi-layer jacket and fine stranding put it toward the lower end of that spread rather than the top, despite the conductor being heavy gauge.
That is the counterintuitive part: heavy gauge does not mean high recovery when the insulation scales with it.
Charging cable prices around the world
Copper settles in US dollars, so the metal in a cable is worth the same everywhere. Currency and local buyer depth are what change.
Market Equivalent range Local market note United States $5.00 to 4,000 Deepest buyer pool. Even within the US, state to state runs $50 to $60 per ton apart. United Kingdom £3.55 to 2,841 Strong processing capacity. Battery and PGM material reported 20 to 40 percent above thin markets. Canada C$6.71 to 5,366 Similar structure to the US; thinner in the prairies and the north. Australia A$6.59 to 5,273 Good coastal capacity, long hauls inland. Distance is the main discount. Germany €4.39 to 3,513 Dense processing and strict documentation. Good grades pay well; paperwork matters. India ₹434.92 to 347,934 Large volume, but black mass export restrictions have compressed local payables. Bangladesh ৳540.88 to 432,706 Ferrous depth is good. Specialist converter, PGM and battery buyers are scarce. United Arab Emirates AED17.44 to 13,956 Re-export hub with real processing depth. Among the better-paying markets outside the West. Saudi Arabia SAR17.44 to 13,950 Growing capacity; specialist PGM and battery buyers still limited. Turkey ₺251.99 to 201,595 Major ferrous importer, so steel grades hold up better than non-ferrous here. South Africa R67.82 to 54,255 Reported below UAE and UK on battery material; processing infrastructure is the constraint. China CN¥32.93 to 26,340 Aggressive bidder on imported battery material; 2026 recycling rules moved payables down.
Treat these as an anchor rather than a local quote. Cable theft has been reported at charging sites in both the US and UK, and yards in affected areas apply extra scrutiny to this material wherever it appears.
Questions people actually ask
"What is an EV charging cable scrap price?"
Published figures put it at $5 to $7 for an unstripped Level 2 cable and $15 to $20 per cable more generally. A DC fast charger's two cables, holding about 40 pounds of copper, return roughly $40 unstripped.
"How much copper is in a J1772 cable?"
Sources differ. One network puts a 25 foot Level 2 cable at about 5 pounds of copper; another figure quoted for a single cable is 2.2 pounds. Specification varies by current rating and length.
"What is the ccs cable scrap value?"
More copper, yes, since DC fast charging cables are thicker and higher rated. Proportionally the return is no better: about 40 pounds of copper across two cables for roughly $40 unstripped.
"Should I strip the insulation off?"
By hand, rarely worth it, because each conductor carries its own insulation under the jacket and the strands are fine. Never by burning, which is illegal in most jurisdictions and downgrades the copper.
"Can I sell a cut cable at a yard?"
Expect scrutiny. Police visit recycling centres in affected cities and the industry association circulates theft alerts. Keep documentation showing the cable is yours, and prefer selling the whole unit rather than a bare length.
Figures on this page are published network, law-enforcement and industry references from 2024 to 2026 rather than futures-linked rates. Copper content varies with cable rating and length, and recovery depends on construction. Burning insulation is unlawful in most jurisdictions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the EV charging cable scrap price today?
Published figures put an unstripped 25 foot Level 2 cable at $5 to $7 at a scrap yard, and realisations of $15 to $20 per cable are cited by both charging networks and police. A DC fast charger's two cables return roughly $40 unstripped.
How much copper is in a charging cable?
One network puts a typical 25 foot Level 2 cable at about 5 pounds of copper, while another published figure for a single cable is 2.2 pounds. A DC fast charger's two cables together hold about 40 pounds. Specification varies with current rating and length.
Why is the scrap value so far below the copper value?
Because the copper is hard to reach. Inside the outer jacket sits a bundle of wires each in its own sturdy insulation, and the strands are fine for flexibility. Stripping that by hand is slow work, so unstripped cable is graded low.
What is the insulated copper recovery percentage on charging cable?
Below the heavy-cable benchmark. Building cable at 250 to 750 MCM recovers around 90 percent, THHN 75, Romex 65 and communication wire 48. Charging cable's thick multi-layer jacket and fine stranding place it toward the lower end despite the heavy conductor.
Is a CCS cable worth more than a J1772 one?
In absolute terms yes, since DC fast charging cables are thicker and higher rated. Proportionally it is no better: about 40 pounds of copper across two cables for roughly $40 unstripped, which is around a dollar per pound of contained metal.
What should I do with a broken Level 2 charger?
Sell it as a unit rather than as metal where you can. A working cable or connector has real buyers because replacements cost hundreds to thousands. If the whole unit is dead, the EVSE board grades as e-scrap and the contactors hold silver.
Can I burn the insulation off to get better copper?
No. Burning insulation is unlawful in most jurisdictions, produces toxic smoke, and downgrades the copper rather than improving it. Burnt strands also attract scrutiny, since that is how stolen cable is commonly presented.
Will a scrap yard question where the cable came from?
Increasingly, yes. Police in affected cities visit recycling centres looking for cut cable, and the Recycled Materials Association circulates scrap-theft alerts to its members. Keep documentation and prefer selling a complete unit over a bare cut length.
Why is cable theft such a problem if the scrap value is low?
Because the loss is not the thief's. A cut cable yields $15 to $20 of scrap while replacement costs a city operator about $1,000, a network $2,000 to $4,000, and repairs across a damaged charger can exceed $8,000.
What is an EVSE circuit board worth as scrap?
It grades as electronic scrap in the same band as automotive control modules, and the contactors and relays inside carry silver contacts. As with any board, the quantity matters far more than any single unit.