Charging cable theft has become a growing problem across Europe, and the United Kingdom is no exception. In response, British fast-charging operator InstaVolt has announced the introduction of live GPS tracking technology in collaboration with Trackit247, aiming to combat the surge in stolen charging cables at its stations.
InstaVolt said the initiative marks the industry’s first deployment of real-time GPS tracking for EV charging cables. The system works by embedding GPS devices into the cables, which send location updates every three seconds.
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Each cable is also linked to a geofence, ensuring that any movement outside its designated area triggers an instant alert to InstaVolt’s 24/7 security control centre. The company operates more than 2,000 charging points nationwide and plans to expand its network to 11,000 by 2030.
“Cable theft is a growing challenge for our industry, threatening the confidence of EV drivers and undermining investment in charging infrastructure,” said InstaVolt CEO Delvin Lane. “By introducing live GPS tracking in collaboration with our partners at Trackit247, we are taking decisive action to protect our network and support the police in combating these crimes.”
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The company said the new system is designed to deter theft, minimise downtime, and support law enforcement in recovering stolen equipment. While InstaVolt did not disclose technical details of the GPS devices to avoid potential tampering, it described the technology as a major step toward safeguarding the UK’s EV charging infrastructure from what it called a “fast-growing crime.”
