Cars
Protecting Australia’s EV Charging Infrastructure: A Solution to Vandalism and Theft
Safeguarding Electric Vehicle Charging Stations from Copper Theft
Are you tired of arriving at an electric vehicle (EV) charging station only to discover that the cables have been tampered with by thieves attempting to steal copper?
Evie Networks, a prominent EV charging provider in Australia, has initiated a solution to address this issue. They have introduced CableGuard protectors from Formula Space, a UK-based company.
CarExpert was the first to notice the cable protectors at Evie’s Chelsea location in Melbourne. Evie has since implemented CableGuard at several other locations, including Toowoomba, Queensland, Bayside, Victoria, and the Dandenong region.
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Geoff Brady, CEO of Evie, emphasized the importance of ensuring that their chargers are always available for customers. In response to recent cable theft incidents, particularly in Dandenong, Victoria, Evie is trialing CableGuard technology at six sites to maintain operational efficiency.
By collaborating with authorities and industry partners, Evie aims to combat the issue of copper theft and ensure uninterrupted charging services for customers.
Formula Space’s CableGuard is designed to deter theft by deploying a forensically traceable liquid when an attempt is made to cut the cable. This liquid, stored at high pressure, is UV-reactive and identifiable through a shared database used by law enforcement and security partners.
Additionally, the CableGuard sleeve features cut-proof materials and GPS tracking capabilities. Despite the added security measures, the protective sleeve minimally impacts the cable’s weight and flexibility, allowing for easy installation without cable removal.
The protection is primarily aimed at safeguarding the valuable copper inside the cables, which has become a target for thieves due to its increasing market value.
Other companies, such as CatStrap, have developed similar anti-theft technologies for cables. CatStrap offers a range of cable guards and an additional feature called DyeDefender, which releases blue dye on thieves when a cable is cut, aiding in their identification.
Cable theft poses a growing concern in Australia, aligning our nation with others like the UK, Germany, and the US grappling with this issue.
Reports from Automotive News in July 2024 revealed a surge in charging cable theft at Electrify America stations in the US, surpassing the previous year’s total incidents. The theft not only disrupts operations but also incurs significant costs for cable replacement.
EnBW, a German provider, similarly reported numerous cases of cable theft across their charging sites, highlighting the challenges posed by such criminal activities.
Despite the lure of quick profits, experts caution against engaging in cable theft due to the complex process of extracting and selling copper from insulated cables, which may not yield substantial returns.
Travis Allan, Chief Legal and Public Affairs Officer at Flo EV Charging, emphasized the impracticality of profiting from stolen copper given the minimal amount present in standard charging cables.
EnBW also underscored the limited financial gains from reselling stolen copper cables, further discouraging potential thieves from pursuing such illicit activities.
MORE: Learn about the rise in vandalism of public EV fast chargers in Australia
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