As the owner of an electric vehicle charge point, ensuring EV charger security should be a top priority if it isn't already. At Wattcharger, we understand that EV ownership is a journey that continues to evolve long after installing your home charge point.
In addition to the constant concern of having one's electrical supply hijacked or tampered with, there are also utilization criteria that must be observed when handling charging units. When it comes to EV charging, one cannot be too prepared or educated.
For this reason, our guide to EV charger security will outline the technical and behavioral steps that need to be taken to ensure the integrity and longevity of your electric vehicle charge point.
Before diving into the practical steps involved in securing EV charger security, let's examine the vulnerabilities that exist in most existing EV charge points.
Electric car charge points draw power, typically from a 240v outlet or are hardwired to the power grid. Usually mounted on a wall, these electric vehicle chargers facilitate the flow of current from the unit to the EV.
While properly safeguarding the unit is likely to deter unwanted interference, there are key security flaws that owners should consider. Firstly, it is not uncommon for EV owners to be caught stealing each other's electricity. With home charging costs per kWh in Ireland set around the €0.16 mark, allowing unauthorized users could result in a loss of up to €15 for every full charge.
EV chargers like Wallbox and Hypervolt use a computer module known as Raspberry Pi. While this computing platform is considered efficient and relatively easy to understand, its security features are lacking. Like most wall chargers, anyone with access to the exterior of the home could open up the computing system and gain unauthorized access to Wi-Fi credentials.
If the unit is properly installed, it is unlikely to be stolen due to its mounted position on the wall. However, vandalism and accidents present their threats. Additionally, EV chargers can have accessories, including charging cables, which could be targeted for theft.
Tethered chargers have a permanent cable that can be attached to the car but cannot be detached from the unit. Conversely, untethered units have a detachable cable at both ends, providing flexibility for the user. To learn more about the two types of cables, refer to Wattcharger's guide.
With a price tag of around €200 or more, EV charging cables are not inexpensive. UK police have already dealt with multiple instances this year of untethered car chargers being stolen while owners have their vehicles hooked up for an overnight charge. While having your cable stolen poses a real threat, simple measures can be taken to enhance security and avoid the need to replace it with a tethered cable.
After realizing the challenges and threats that EV owners can face, it becomes easier to strategize ways to protect your home charge unit. In this section, we will provide an overview of some tried-and-true methods used by everyday EV owners to ensure security and establish peace of mind.
One of the most sensible steps you can take to uphold EV charger security is to install a lock. Thankfully, most electric car manufacturers offer locking infrastructure that makes the cable unattachable when the car doors are locked. Some models have gone even further.
For example, Tesla has released a new firmware update that renders your cord unusable by any car other than your own. While these measures are significant, the untethered charge cable may still be at risk. In addition to its obvious EV utility, charging cables also have copper lining, making them inherently valuable.
To protect your cable, an old-fashioned lock might be the solution. By padlocking the cable to a fence or another nearby structure, you can secure it in place. Some Type 1 connector have a hole for a lock in the trigger of the cable, allowing only authorized individuals to access the charging cord. It's important to remember that, although durable, electric car charging cables have their limits of durability. Therefore, parking on top of the cord can potentially cause damage and is less convenient than other lock options.
Using a lock around the charging unit itself can also be beneficial. As mentioned earlier, Wallbox owners have expressed concerns about sensitive data or internet integrity being compromised. Therefore, protective cages with locks around the unit have been identified as effective ways to protect charger functionalities and ensure that only authorized parties use them.
While locks can be excellent deterrents, thieves are becoming increasingly innovative, particularly when it comes to EV charging infrastructure. For vehicle owners looking to add an extra layer of security to their charge point, CCTV cameras are always a good option.
As observed at various public charge points, CCTV cameras serve as effective deterrents. Due to the predictable nature of where an unauthorized vehicle may park to access the electric vehicle, several measures can be taken to ensure that driver identification, license plates, and key vehicle features are captured and displayed to the homeowner in real time.
Whether the vehicle owners mount the camera on the home or in a secure location nearby, it is important that the camera is visible and inaccessible. This ensures that potential thieves are aware they are being watched. CCTV cameras can also be mounted within the vehicle (dashcam) if the circumstances are suitable for that configuration.
As with protecting any valuable item, an alarm is always a good option for EV charger security. Alarms can be triggered by movement or any unknown party attempting to use the charger.
As we will see shortly, some chargers come with apps that send alerts directly to the owner's phone in the event of unauthorized use of the unit.
Most alarm systems used by EV owners are wireless, relying on detection and sending alerts to your phone. In most cases, EV home charge points do not have integrated phone alarm systems and need to be purchased separately.
Additionally, wired alarms are also available, but they are often more expensive, harder to set up and open up possibilities for their own kind of damage. When it comes to alarms, as we are about to see, one home charge point manufacturer sets itself apart from the rest of the crowd.
The Zappi is the world's first EV charger capable of charging a vehicle using 100% sustainable energy, but it also comes with built-in features that prioritize EV charger security.
Available in both tethered and untethered versions, the Zappi EV Charger allows users to switch between drawing energy from the power grid and sustainable sources like wind and solar. With the ECO+ mode, users can set a "Min Green Level," which means that the supply of electricity will be shut off if the usage of non-sustainable energy exceeds a certain threshold. When it comes to owner empowerment, it's hard to find a charge point better than the Zappi.
This state-of-the-art control mechanism is facilitated by the Myenergi app. Through the app, Zappi users can monitor, in real-time, their energy consumption and its source. Often, owners of EV chargers can have their energy used without even realizing it. With Zappi's Myenergi app, users not only have access to past energy usage data but can also track the current generation and offloading of energy. They also have the power to shut down the entire unit if desired.
The app is protected by a pin code, which is also present on the unit itself, providing an extra level of EV charger security. Only by entering the pin code can users access the charging function and install critical firmware updates necessary to ensure the Myenergi app and Zappi function are at their full capability.
Furthermore, homeowners don't even need to check the app to determine if their electrical supply or charging unit is being tampered with. Zappi owners receive a "Tamper Alert" every time the cover of the unit is removed, allowing them to keep track of who is using their charger, including those using energy from solar PV panels or wind generators.
Ensuring electric car charger security is an essential aspect of being an EV owner. While the protocols for keeping your vehicle and charging infrastructure safe are continuously evolving, implementing some of the steps listed above will put every EV owner in a more secure position. If you have any questions about better protecting your EV charging infrastructure or if you're interested in becoming a first-time buyer, please don't hesitate to reach out to Wattcharger using the tool below.