In response to a recent spate of EV charging cable thefts across the town and the country, Be.EV has launched the ‘Charging Hub Intelligent Protection’ initiative, or CHIP, to deter future charger vandalism and keep locations safe and available for drivers.
Charging cable theft is a massive issue disrupting charge point operators across the country. Theft and vandalism cost the industry upwards of £500,000 based on the cost of replacement, repair and lost income.
Be.EV is calling on the industry at large to make sure that charging hubs nationwide are equipped with similar security features, to make sure these criminals stop trying to destroy the UK’s charging network.
The community-focused charge point operator showcased its suite of security updates to drivers during the launch of the initiative at the 85 Saltergate charging hub in Chesterfield. This event offered a preview of the improvements planned for current and future ultra-rapid charging locations.
Be.EV has installed a mobile CCTV system which is monitored around the clock, and a tannoy system to warn any gangs of criminals that they’re being recorded, scaring them off before they decide to destroy someone else’s property.
This system will automatically alert local police should any criminal activity occur, and the site’s new SelectaDNA protected cables give each of them a unique DNA coating, meaning the police can easily trace their origin, associate them with a criminal, and hold the vandals to account. These new security features will now be a staple at future Be.EV locations.
It’s not just Chesterfield residents falling victim to cable theft. EV drivers across the country are facing the same issue, with many charge point operators having experienced serious cases of vandalism in recent months.
The Chesterfield Hub provides a template for the rest of the industry to follow and to stop the vandals once and for all.
“Cable theft is an absolute nightmare for everyone, especially drivers,” said Adrian Fielden-Gray, COO of Be.EV. “That’s why we’re now investing heavily in protective measures whilst working closely with Derbyshire Police and our partners Formula Space. We’re working hard to eliminate the problem for Chesterfield’s EV drivers and ensure that our ultra-rapid charging hubs remain available to communities across the UK.”
“It's essential for all of us – charge point operators and law enforcement alike – to collaborate effectively and implement robust security measures, just like at Be.EV's new site protection initiative here at this Chesterfield Hub,” said PCSO Emma Shimwell of Derbyshire Police. “By installing systems like CCTV, cable DNA tracking, and 24/7 security monitoring, we can deter opportunistic thieves who would think twice before attempting theft or vandalism, knowing it would likely lead to criminal prosecution.”
