Formula Space Launched Anti-Theft EV Charging Cable Tech
The new V4 protective sleeve blunts power tools to combat rising incidents of charging station cable theft.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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Formula Space has introduced its V4 cut protection technology designed to prevent the theft of electric vehicle charging cables. The protective sleeves, which can be retrofitted onto existing hardware, render power tools ineffective by blunting them during attempted cutting.
Why it matters
Organized crime groups have increasingly utilized power tools to steal charging cables, leading to high hardware replacement costs and diminished public trust. This technology offers operators a deterrent to protect expensive infrastructure from aggressive theft attempts.
Installing the V4 sleeve requires 20 minutes, with each individual stolen cable representing a replacement hardware cost of £1,200. These protections are currently verified for compatibility by Nidec, Wallbox, and Kempower.
The players
Formula Space
This is the engineering firm responsible for the development and launch of the V4 cut protection cable sleeve.
Nidec
This global manufacturer produces electric vehicle charging hardware and has verified the compatibility of the V4 sleeve.
Wallbox
This provider of electric vehicle charging and energy management solutions has verified the new cable protection technology.
Kempower
This company manufactures fast charging solutions for electric vehicles and has confirmed its hardware works with the V4 sleeve.
The details
The V4 cable sleeve is designed as a retrofit solution, meaning it is compatible with existing charging infrastructure already deployed in the field. When an attacker attempts to use an angle grinder or other power tool, the sleeve causes the blades to blunt, effectively halting the theft process.
Timeline
In 2022, cable theft began totaling millions in costs for UK charge point operators.
Since the beginning of 2026, 650 electric vehicle charging stations have been targeted in France.
Formula Space launched the V4 cut protection technology on October 1, 2026.
Roadmap
The introduction of the V4 sleeve highlights a pivot in the automotive industry toward 'hardened' infrastructure to defend against increasing criminal activity. As theft costs mount, automakers and network operators are likely to shift from reactive repairs to proactive security integrations.
Reliability for daily drivers depends on the uptime of charging stations, which is directly threatened by the current wave of cable thefts. By securing hardware, operators aim to reduce the frequency of out-of-service stalls and ensure consistent access to public charging points.
The takeaway
Securing charging cables is becoming a critical operational focus as theft costs reach millions of euros. Network operators should evaluate their current hardware to determine if retrofitting protective sleeves is a viable strategy to lower their long-term maintenance and replacement expenses.
Further reading
For more information on the evolving landscape of charging infrastructure, see Electric Vehicles.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fleet World.
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Does the threat of cable theft make you lose confidence in using public electric vehicle chargers?
