With the rising popularity of electric vehicle chargers in the UK, knowing how to protect your EV charging point from theft or damage is a top priority for many companies, homeowners, and local authorities.  Modern security solutions, like protection barriers and wheel stops, are highly effective – but which is the best solution for your needs?

This article will tell you everything you need to know.

Commercial vs Residential EV Chargers

The majority of EV chargers are installed in residential driveways. However, there are now 70,000+ public EV charging stations in the UK, with numbers increasing 38% year-on-year.

Commercial EV charges are well-suited to multi-use and tend to have a higher output to facilitate faster charging times, whereas residential EV chargers typically offer a slower charge speed. Crucially, the installation of commercial and residential EV chargers tends to differ too. Homeowners often install EV chargers on existing walls, for example, while commercial charging points are frequently post-mounted.

The type of installation can impact the likelihood of the charger being stolen or damaged. Due to this, you should choose security solutions that are well-suited to the type of installation you have. 

Protecting Your EV Charger from Theft or Damage

Whether you’ve been the victim of theft, your charger has been damaged in the past, or you simply want to be proactive about keeping your EV equipment secure, these top tips will provide all the help you need.

Install an EV Charger Protection Barrier

A protection barrier acts as a physical block that prevents anything from getting too close to the charger. If you’re concerned about accidental damage occurring due to vehicles parking too near to the charger, a protection barrier is the optimal way to prevent this type of incident. 

Both the EV Charger Protection Barrier 1115mm and the ECO Sheffield EV Charger Protection Barrier are specially designed to offer added security and minimise the risk of damage. Suitable for use at home or at commercial sites, they’re a great way to ensure vehicles don’t get too close to the charging station and cause unwanted damage.

Depending on the exact location of the EV charging station, it may be advisable to use more than one protection barrier. By placing one on either side of the charger, for example, you can ensure wraparound protection that significantly reduces the risk of damage occurring. 

Protection barriers can help to deter thieves from attempting to steal EV chargers too. By making it harder for anyone to gain access to the charger, you can prevent your charging station from being an ‘easy target’ for would-be thieves. 

Use Real-Time CCTV Alerts

While CCTV won’t necessarily prevent accidental damage, it can help to prevent thieves from targeting your EV charger or cables. If the premises is covered by CCTV, thieves are less likely to risk being identified and caught attempting to steal your charger. Make sure CCTV cameras are visible but difficult to access (so they can’t be tampered with, removed or damaged). 

Choosing a CCTV system that offers real-time functionality and alerts can be beneficial, too. This allows you to monitor your EV charger at any time and ensures you’ll get an alert straight away if anyone trespasses on your property in an attempt to gain access to it. 

Rely on a Security Bollard

If the location of your EV charger means you don’t need a full hooped barrier, then a security bollard or post could provide the protection you need. This is a great option if the location of your EV charger doesn’t provide the space needed for a hopped barrier. 

The Autopa fixed bollard or a stainless steel fixed bollard will act as a physical barrier between the EV charger and vehicles to prevent accidental damage. Again, you can use more than one bollard to create a custom configuration that surrounds the charging station and provides optimal protection. 

With a range of diameters available, it’s easy to ensure your EV charger is properly protected with security bollards. Additionally, the option to use ‘bolt-down’ or ‘concrete-in’ installation methods means you can install these posts in a variety of different locations and environments. 

Prevent Cable Theft with a Padlock

Thieves often target EV charging cables as they can be sold on the second-hand market or stripped down and the copper from inside the cable sold for scrap. Due to this, you’ll want to take extra security measures to prevent your cable from being stolen while your vehicle is charging. 

Luckily, a simple padlock can be an easy and efficient way to keep your EV charging cable secure. Some cables even feature a loop that’s designed to hold a small padlock, and it only takes seconds to affix the padlock each time you want to use it. Alternatively, consider upgrading to a charger with a smart socket that can be protected by a PIN code or smartphone app.

Add Wheel Stops Near to Your EV Charger

A wheel stop is a highly effective way to prevent vehicles from getting too close to an EV charger. As well as acting as a visual deterrent to remind drivers of how much space they have to park, a wheel stop prevents the vehicle from overrunning the space.

The Park Aid Wheel Stop features a reinforced steel core and recycled rubber outer section that offers both durability and strength. Resistant to oil, heat and UV rays, they provide long-lasting protection for EV chargers and charging stations. 

Contact Bison Security

If you want to find out more about our range of security barriers, bollards and wheel stops, our team will be happy to help. Whether you’re looking for protection for a single EV charger or multiple charging stations, we can help you find the most suited security solutions.

With our team of certified installation specialists, we can take care of installation too. To learn more, contact us now on 01708 956833 or send a message via our contact form.