Vandalism or deliberate damage to electric vehicle charging infrastructure (EVI) is likely to arise at some point in most local authorities. Research from the National Intelligence Portal, on behalf of police forces in England and Wales, has revealed that theft and vandalism targeting EV chargers has more than doubled in 2024 compared to 2023.
Reports indicate that the picture has not improved in 2025, and there is concern that the figures will rise as the mass rollout of infrastructure accelerates ahead of the 2030 cut-off date for the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
The cause of vandalism will differ, but reasons usually include:
Theft of charging cables for the copper.
Opposition to the introduction of EVs and EV charging.
Installation in areas known for antisocial behaviour and damage to property or infrastructure.
Vandalism carries the risk of chargepoints being repeatedly out of order or unusable for long periods of time. This can cause:
Potential reputational damage to both the local authority (LA) and the chargepoint operator (CPO).
Frustration for EV drivers in the area.
A deterrent for non-EV drivers, as it could make them think that public EVI is unreliable.
Dealing with EV charger vandalism will require a coordinated approach from the LA, police, CPO and other local bodies involved in crime prevention or community support.
Potential deterrence and mitigation measures
EV charger vandalism can take many forms, but cable cutting is the most common. Solutions to deter perpetrators could include:
Having chargepoint sites in busy areas can deter vandalism.
Having your chargepoint sites well-lit can be a deterrent to potential vandals due to the fear of being observed. A well-lit area has the added benefit of making users feel safer.
Cameras may be effective, but you should consider if dedicated CCTV is an essential requirement, as installing dedicated cameras will have an impact on your budget.
These allow for a full view of a chargepoint site, including access and egress routes. You should consider the quality of the image, your retention policy as well as relevant signage.
SmartWater or similar is a popular solution. It is available with liquid applicators, is permanent, and embedded with a unique code. It’s suggested to use one kit per site.
Remember, you’re not alone. Work with other local authority officers, the police, and chargepoint operators to develop deterrence measures.
Other local bodies that are involved in crime prevention or community support can also be involved. Contact scrap yards and dealers where stolen cables may be sold on. Work with officers involved in the licensing of scrap dealers.
Examples of deterrence and mitigation measures in practice
Detering EV charger vandalism can be done in different ways, see below for some examples in practice.
US-based EV charging provider, ChargePoint, has introduced cut-resistant cables and alarm systems to deter thieves from stealing valuable copper from its public chargers. Their chargers are rugged, have a simple interface and no tethered cables.
InstaVolt offers destination and en-route charging with a combination of security measures. These include CCTV, signage, security patrols, and SmartWater to tag and track both their devices and InstaVolt cables.
Evolt Charging has created cable alarms which are being trialled. The device detects when a charger cable has been cut or removed, immediately activating an audible alarm and flashing beacon.
The alarm can be set to continue for a predetermined period and can be integrated with notification and management systems. This can be added to existing security systems to add a further layer of protection.
Be.EV has partnered with EV charging space specialist Formula Space and Derbyshire Police to crack down on charging cable vandalism in Chesterfield. This closer liaison with police also keeps them aware of EV charging issues in the surrounding areas.
Last updated: 26 February 2026
Tell us where you live
Get the most relevant content from Energy Saving Trust by telling us where you live
