When steel is available in bulk,and cheap,why go for 'poly carbonate' for meter covers?

Question

Energy meter is now available in market with polycarbonate covers.

Answer 1

steel cover can be stolen and resold in the market by theives. polycarbonate covers have no resale value , so they are safe.

Answer 2

Also you can see better through the plastic.

Answer 3

Polycarbonate doesn't rust, so it doesn't have the be protected from corrosion, and it can be molded into rather complex shapes in one operation. While sheet steel can be formed into many shapes, if can require multiple operations for forming, then it has to be painted. Also, if parts of the meter need to be visible, transparent polycarbonate could be used, while a window would have to be added to a steel cover.

Answer 4

Poly is actually cheaper to manufactur because there is less manufacturing labor and tooling involved.  You also do not have to paint it.  

Poly is better for corrosion.

Poly is not electrically conductive, safer.