Exhausting Solutions

Catalytic converters contain precious metals, like Palladium. They are fitted to cars to reduce their release of environmentally-damaging fumes. British Insurance Companies reported a marked increase in catalytic converter theft in 2020. Theft occurred even in the middle of a pandemic lockdown, when less driving was happening (https://www.theguardian.com/money/2021/apr/26/uk-catalytic-converter-theft-covid-insurer-admiral-claims-cost). Petrol hybrid cars are major targets for catalytic converter thieves. Sometimes, teams dressed as mechanics, use power tools to cut through the exhaust pipes of cars. They can do this, in broad daylight, to cars parked in the street or in supermarket malls. Each theft costs the car owner around £1500. Some owners have been targeted twice in a year and then cannot get insurance. It is also illegal to drive a car that has had its converter taken. It doesn't seem fair that drivers, trying to do the right thing in terms of emissions, should be targeted in this way. Thieves don't care, however, if there is easy money to be made and only modest penalties are imposed if they get caught. Going fully electric would be one solution.