Electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure provider ChargePoint has taken a significant step towards combating the growing issue of vandalized EV charger cables. The company has announced the development of "cut-resistant" cables and a tamper-detection alarm system, designed to prevent copper thieves from damaging EV charging stations.

The new cables, which utilize a patent-pending technology featuring strategically placed steel, are designed to make it significantly more difficult for thieves to cut through them. According to Steve Farrell, ChargePoint's VP of product management, the cables have been tested against various tools, including wirecutters, bolt cutters, and battery-powered tools, and have shown promising results. While the new design may make the cables slightly larger and less flexible, Farrell assures that usability will not be impacted, and most users will not notice the difference.

The cut-resistant cables will be available for retrofitting on commercial and fleet charging stations, including both AC and DC models, made by ChargePoint. Furthermore, the company plans to license out the new cable design to select EV charger original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) who wish to adopt the technology to combat copper theft.

In addition to the cut-resistant cables, ChargePoint has also developed "ChargePoint Protect," a security software that turns its EV stations into highly effective alarm systems. The software can detect tampering with the cables in real-time, triggering alarms to deter thieves and sending text messages and email alerts to EV station owners. This update will be available for free to station owners and will be rolled out over the air later this month.

The introduction of these innovative solutions comes at a critical time, as vandalized EV stations have become a rising problem in the US, contributing to the already unreliable electric vehicle infrastructure. By addressing this issue, ChargePoint aims to provide a more secure and reliable charging experience for EV owners.

The broader implications of ChargePoint's move are significant, as it sets a new standard for EV charger manufacturers to prioritize security and vandalism protection. As the electric vehicle market continues to grow, the need for robust and secure charging infrastructure will only become more pressing. With its cut-resistant cables and tamper-detection alarms, ChargePoint is taking a crucial step towards ensuring the long-term viability of EV adoption.

As the company prepares to license out its technology to other OEMs, it will be interesting to see how the industry responds to this new standard. Will other manufacturers follow suit, or will they develop their own solutions to combat copper theft? One thing is certain – the electric vehicle ecosystem will be watching ChargePoint's innovation closely, and the company's efforts may pave the way for a more secure and reliable charging infrastructure for years to come.