Warwick MP meets InstaVolt to discuss cable theft

We were pleased to welcome Matt Western, Member of Parliament for Warwick and Leamington, to our ultra-rapid charging hub in Warwick for important discussions around the growing threat of cable theft and the damage it’s causing to the UK’s electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure.

With the UK’s transition to cleaner transport well underway, we believe the reliability of public charging networks is more crucial than ever. Yet, incidents of cable theft are on the rise, causing disruption for EV drivers and creating unnecessary costs for network operators.

Since 2023, we’ve recorded hundreds of stolen or cut cables across our network, with the West Midlands being one of the worst-hit areas – 161 instances of vandalism in the region alone, resulting in more than £170,000 in damage and security upgrades.

Matt Western MP said, “It is welcome to see the investment InstaVolt have made in Warwick and to provide infrastructure locally for EV charging.  

“The issue of cable theft and the impact this has on businesses and consumers is concerning and I will be raising this with relevant people in Parliament.”

His visit gave us the opportunity to highlight the consequences of these crimes for local communities and EV drivers who rely on our network daily.

To help combat theft, we’ve introduced a range of measures including the rollout of CableGuard™ protective sheathing, TrackIt GPS technology to trace stolen equipment, CCTV monitoring, and increased security patrols. While these steps are helping, the scale of the challenge demands stronger support from government and law enforcement.

That’s why we’re urging the UK government to formally classify EV charging infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). Such a designation would allow police forces to allocate more resources to these crimes, empower courts to issue stronger penalties, and act as a greater deterrent to offenders.

As the UK continues its journey towards net zero, protecting the integrity of our EV charging infrastructure is vital. We remain committed to delivering a safe, secure and accessible network – but collaboration with lawmakers, police and local authorities will be key in preventing further disruption and ensuring EV drivers can charge with confidence.