Cable theft is becoming a growing problem for electric-vehicle charging networks across Europe, and Poland is not immune. According to estimates from charging operator Powerdot, theft-related incidents may have affected around 10% of charging infrastructure operated by different companies in Poland. Operators are responding with monitoring, GPS tracking, reinforced cables and closer cooperation with law-enforcement services.
The scale of the problem is already significant in France. Since the beginning of 2026, more than 650 charging stations have been affected there, with reported losses of around €13 million. Powerdot estimates that the share of affected stations is similar to that seen in Poland.
For charging-network operators, the loss is not limited to the value of copper or the cable itself. A damaged charger can be unavailable for days, creating repair costs, reducing network capacity and undermining drivers’ confidence that public charging points will work when needed.
Operators add alarms, GPS and physical protection
Charging companies are introducing additional physical covers and reinforcements for cables, as well as alarm systems and video monitoring. Some operators are also using GPS trackers and testing marking technologies that can leave a difficult-to-remove trace on people handling stolen equipment.
The aim is both to deter theft and to improve the chances of identifying stolen cables or the people involved after an incident.
Experience from France suggests that cooperation with police and local authorities can be just as important as technical protection. In some areas most affected by theft, charging locations have been added to police and gendarmerie patrol routes. Operators can also send alerts immediately after a cable is cut, increasing the chance of a rapid response.
Infrastructure reliability matters as the EV market grows
The issue is becoming more important as public charging networks expand. Poland still has fewer charging points than larger Western European markets, but the ratio of battery-electric cars to public charging points is relatively favourable.
According to data cited by Powerdot, there are around 7.4 battery-electric vehicles for every public charging point in Poland. That compares with 8.2 in France, 10.3 in Germany and 31.9 in Norway.
A lower ratio generally means that more public charging capacity is available per vehicle, but that advantage depends on stations remaining operational. Theft and vandalism can therefore have an outsized effect in areas where alternative fast-charging locations are limited.
Security becomes part of charging-network economics
As operators deploy more charging stations, security is becoming a permanent operating cost rather than an occasional problem. The sector must increasingly factor in surveillance, cable design, insurance, repair logistics and cooperation with public authorities.
The challenge is particularly relevant for fast-charging hubs, where a single damaged cable can temporarily remove a significant amount of available charging power. For drivers, that can translate into longer queues or the need to find another location.
The broader issue is confidence in the infrastructure. EV adoption depends not only on the number of charging points installed, but also on whether drivers can rely on them. As Poland’s charging network continues to grow, preventing theft and reducing repair times will become an increasingly important part of maintaining that reliability.
