THE chief executive of an electric vehicle (EV) charging company has described cable theft as a “terrible crime” – and outlined how firms like his are fighting back.
Asif Ghafoor is a graduate of the University of Bradford and his company, Be.EV, has electric vehicle points across the area.
Asif contacted the Telegraph & Argus after a story earlier this week revealed criminals had stolen cables from a number of EV charging points at Junction 27 retail park, Birstall.
He said offenders were inconveniencing hard-working people who want to use charging networks as well as costing the industry millions of pounds.
Criminals are also putting their lives at risk to steal copper only worth up to £15, Asif added.
‘Charging cable thieves are menaces’. Asif told the T&A: “Everywhere you look, motorists are turning to green and clean transport and choosing to drive electric cars.
“It’s not just me saying it: figures show so far this year, 120,191 new fully electric cars have been sold – a fifth of all new registrations – and 35,877 more than at the same point last year.
“And for those who can’t charge at home or need support on the move, there are 100,000 public EV charge points across the country.
“But arriving with this exciting modern transition to clean motoring is a menace – the charging cable thief.
“Last month, at one of the public charge sites I run as CEO of Be.EV, CCTV cameras caught a brazen thief cutting cables off chargers to sell for scrap.
“Across the country, thefts like this, as well as costing the industry millions, are inconveniencing hard-working people who want to use charging networks like the one I lead.
“It’s a terrible crime which affects hard-working people who need to charge their vehicle and get on their way, but with increased publicity, we are catching the thieves.
“I have no idea why it is appealing to thieves.
“While the cables cost thousands of pounds to replace, the small amount of copper inside is only worth £10 to £15 and comes with the threat of being convicted and the risk to their own lives.
“Meanwhile, EV drivers face the prospect of being left stranded at their charging point.
“Monitoring means the sites are safe, but it’s sad that customers turn up to charge their vehicle and can’t, having to go elsewhere instead.
“It’s not yet putting people off using EV charging points, but we still have to be vigilant, and there are several things we can do to deter EV charging cable theft.
“Every charging site my company operates is getting CCTV installed and new alarm systems.
“We are also installing a new protected sheath filled with pressurised water, which marks the criminal if the cable is cut.
“We are also working with the police, local authorities and our peers in the sector to bring this cable theft crime to a stop.”
‘Very exciting road to be travelling on’
Asif added: “Bradford and West Yorkshire are also close to my heart, as I am a graduate of the University of Bradford.
“I have been a champion for installing chargers in this city and wider areas.
“When other charging companies focused on London, set up headquarters in London, we set up in Manchester and focused on the north of England.
“My company has chargers today across West Yorkshire with more than 60 charge points live, in construction or at detailed lease negotiation across the region in Bradford, Brighouse, Wakefield, Leeds and Halifax.
“We want to build a network in the regions we operate in that offers plenty of working chargers where people need them – at destinations like gyms, shops and workplaces – as well as just outside your doorstep in local hubs.
“Industry and our studies at Be.EV have shown that when someone switches to an EV, they don’t return to combustion engines.
“They love the choice of vehicles, the technology in them and the smooth ride they offer.
“The EV industry feels to me similar to the early days of the internet or the tech sector – it is a very exciting road to be travelling on.
“And to think I took some of my first steps on that journey back when I was a student in Bradford.”
