Evolt Charging introduces alarm system to prevent charger cable theft

British company Evolt Charging has introduced 'Cable Alarm,' said to detect when an EV charger cable is cut or removed. It is supposedly the first such system in the UK and has already found its first customer.

Charge point operator Osprey is the first to trial ‘Cable Alarm,’ which is manufactured by Circontrol. According to Evolt, the system can be added to Osprey’s DC chargers “within an hour.” It activates an audible alarm and a flashing beacon when the charger cable has been cut or removed.

“The device can also be integrated with notification and management systems, as well as existing security systems and site lighting to add a further layer of protection on site,” Evolt explains. The alarm goes off for a pre-determined period from ten minutes to two hours.

“Tackling the cable theft currently plaguing public charging hubs relies on collaboration between CPOs, hardware manufacturers and host landlords, all of whom are impacted if solutions are not found,” said Lewis Gardiner, Operations Director at Osprey. “Evolt’s new Cable Alarm is a welcome, proactive approach. Osprey have always been quick to trial new technology, and we look forward to seeing the impact of this innovation on the ground.”

Anne Buckingham, Managing Director at Evolt Charging, says Evolt is committed to supporting CPOs and partners: “The increase in EV cable theft is a real concern. It is inconvenient and frustrating for EV drivers and costly for the chargepoint owners, so we need to be one step ahead of the criminals. This is high on the agenda for CPOs who will require a combination of different tools and tactics depending on the different types of locations they need to protect.

Cable theft is increasingly becoming a problem – and an expensive one. While Evolt estimates the price per stolen cable to “likely to be less than £4,” replacing it can cost CPOs “up to £1,000.”

The phenomenon is not exclusive to the UK, and other companies have come up with ways to prevent charger cables from being cut or stolen. Just last week, ChargePoint announced that it had come up with cut-resistant cables and an alarm system. While the technologies are currently reserved for its own stations, it plans to “selectively license the cable design to other charging station manufacturers as part of an industry-leading effort to combat cable theft and vandalism” starting later this year.

evoltcharging.co.uk