ChargePoint rolls out new anti-cable theft innovations for EV chargers

ChargePoint is looking to address a different kind of issue now associated with electric vehicle charging – namely, people cutting the charge cables at charging sites and taking them.  

The details: To combat the thefts, ChargePoint, – one of the leading companies in the EV charging space – has introduced two new innovations for electric vehicle charging to address vandalism at charging sites, which reportedly is on the rise. 

• One of the innovations includes an industry-first cut-resistant charging cable, which features materials built into the cable, designed to make the cable more difficult to cut while remaining flexible and easy for drivers to maneuver. 

• The second innovation is an alarm system that integrates a ChargePoint charger’s existing speakers, screens, and lighting system to deter thieves, capable of detecting charger tampering in real-time.

• ChargePoint is also making both innovations available for other charging stations dealing with theft and vandalism to their charger cables.   

Between the lines: So exactly what makes someone want to cut and steal a charger cable? Well, apparently the copper in the cable and the money that can be made from selling the scrap metal is one of the main reasons thieves are stalking EV charging stations. 

• ChargePoint CEO Rick Wilmer told Auto Week that the company is seeing hundreds and hundreds of cases involving stolen charging cables. 

• In some cases, thieves will cut the cables at an entire charging site, which are expensive to repair, said Wilmer.

•  A charging site at ChargePoint’s headquarters in Cambell, California, which features more than 40 different kinds of chargers, has been cut twice by vandals, noted the CEO.

However, Wilmer added that the idea that a lot of money can be made by stealing charger cables is more about perception than reality, given that there isn’t that much copper in the cables.

Bottom line: ChargePoint’s new cut-resistant cable and alarm system are the latest in several solutions introduced recently by the company aimed at broadening the scope of its product offerings, especially B2B. The anti-theft innovations also associate the ChargePoint brand with safety, which is a concern for many EV drivers overall when charging at public stations.

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