'Nationally, it has cost millions' - Electric vehicle CEO talks about repeat vandalism of charging cables
An electric vehicle charging founder has talked of the costs of repeated vandalism of charging ports following repeated incidents.
Be.EV co-founder and CEO, Asif Ghafoor, has talked about the rising issue of cable theft following repeated incidents at their charging ports across the West Midlands.
The rise in concern comes after nine charging cables were vandalised and stolen from an EV charging bay in Gallagher Shopping Park, Wednesbury, on March 12, only days after previously being vandalised in another incident.
"Across the whole industry, it has cost millions," said Mr Ghafoor, who co-founded Be.EV in 2020.
"It's a repeated incident. We had someone hack through and steal all of the cables on this site, that was only days after they were first installed, and then we have recently had another incident in Birmingham too. It's a real problem."
The incident in Wednesbury cost the company around £100,000 to replace all nine cables, however, overall, Mr Ghafoor said repeated theft has 'cost the industry millions'.
He said: "To replace these ones it has cost us around £100,000, which when you consider that the cables only sell for around $15 as scrap metal, it's terrible.
"Overall, across the industry, it has cost millions. I have spoken to our competitors and they are all experiencing the same thing. It is hitting us all."
The incident is just one of many to take place around the West Midlands, with Mr Ghafoor admitting that thefts of charging cables are on the rise in the West Midlands.
"The West Midlands is a bit of a hotspot for this type of cable theft. Just for ourselves we have had this incident and now the one in Birmingham, but there are more charging groups around here" he said.
"This is happening all around the country, as more charging points are installed, I could imagine it getting worse."
Mr Ghafoor said that while a lack of an accessible charger for EV drivers is an issue - cutting through the cables can be potentially lethal for would-be vandals.
He said: "As with any electronics, mishandling the cables can be potentially lethal.
"It's just a stupid and dangerous thing to do. Especially for what amounts to only around $15."
CCTV footage has been released of the incident in Wednesbury, however, Mr Ghafoor said that more needs to be done to stem the issue.
He said: "We have talked with our competitors and we are working with the local police groups, and we are also working with local scrap metal groups so they don't take these cables.
"More needs to be done to protect these charging points. Like those who use petrol pump, if your car needs a charge then you are relying on these charges to be in working order. If they have been vandalised and are unusable, it's a real issue."
An investigation into the theft has been launched, with West Midlands Police appealing for information into the incident.
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: "We're investigating a theft from Axeltree Way, Wednesbury, at around 9.10pm on 17 March.
"Anyone with information is asked to contact us via Live Chat on our website, or by calling 101, and quote 20/180175/25."
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