ChargePoint introduces two measures to battle EV charger theft and vandalization [Video]

Multi-continental EV charging network ChargePoint has introduced two new solutions to combat a looming threat for electric vehicle owners using public charging stations: vandalism and theft. Today, ChargePoint shared details of a new cut-resistant EV charging cable and a new alarm system to increase security and deter theft near the pile. You can see more in the video below.

Having hit one million global charging ports in 2024, ChargePoint operates as a veteran in EV infrastructure and has spent recent years expanding and implementing new technologies to help simplify the overall process for its customers.

Last summer, the network introduced a new “Omni Port” that combines multiple charging plugs into one single port. It ensures EV drivers of nearly any make and model can charge at any ChargePoint space. Weeks later, ChargePoint introduced additional technology to tackle another headache amongst EV drivers charging publicly – maintenance.

The company has since implemented AI to bolster dependability within its charging network by identifying issues more quickly to improve uptime and thus deliver better charging network reliability – something EV drivers have been pleading to have for years.

While we cover plenty of other charging networks here on Electrek, ChargePoint is often the most interesting, because its updates aren’t always just network expansions or higher charge rates. Instead ChargePoint has used its resources to develop and implement innovative solutions to genuine problems many EV drivers face regularly.

Today, ChargePoint is addressing another frustration in the EV infrastructure segment: vandalism and theft. For all you gas guzzlers who think it’s funny to cut your local EV charger’s cable and steal it, ChargePoint has some new anti-theft measures to ruin your pathetic and callow idea of fun.

ChargePoint introduces anti-theft EV chargers and cables

We’ve all seen it at least once, whether it was in person or posted by a fellow EV driver somewhere on the internet. You get to a public pile and the cable has been severed and worse, stolen. Finding an open, fully-functional charger is hard enough if many areas, and to come to find that some ignorant person cut through your nearest access to electricity for your vehicle’s battery can make your blood boil.

Not anymore… at least at ChargePoint charging stations.

Today, the company introduced what it is calling the industry’s first cut-resistant charging cable. ChargePoint says its team wielded its fifteen years of experience in EV charging to design a cable with novel cut-resistant materials built into it to deter vandalism and theft. While the new cable is not completely cut-proof, it is significantly more difficult to vandalize and decommission while remaining flexible for drivers to use with ease.

ChargePoint shared plans to ChargePoint roll out its new cut-resistant cables to all of its commercial and fleet charging stations and plans to (selectively) license its design to other charging station manufacturers in an “industry leading effort to combat cable theft and vandalism.”

In addition to the new EV cable, the company also introduced a new anti-theft charger alarm system called ChargePoint Protect. The new alarm system utilizes a ChargePoint charger’s existing speakers, screens, and lighting components to create alerts and deter any would be vandals.

ChargePoint Protect is capable of detecting charging cable tampering in real time and can automatically engage its alarm system and can immediately push SMS and email notification to customers using a given station, as well as the owners of that pile. Law Enforcement can also be alerted.

ChargePoint Protect can be activated on select charging station models at no additional cost via a cloud-based software system upgrade. The company expects ChargePoint Protect to be available beginning this month. ChargePoint CEO Rick Wilmer spoke about both new anti-theft solutions presented today:

ChargePoint Protect and our cut-resistant cables demonstrate our relentless dedication to offering a dependable charging network. We do not view ourselves as vicAms of vandalism, but rather responsible for solving it, not only for our customers but for the industry. We are sharing the technology to combat vandalism in the most aggressive way possible with the aim to eliminate charger reliability as a hinderance to EV adoption.

You can learn more about these new anti-theft EV products as well as licensing opportunities on the ChargePoint website and see them in action in the video below.