How the industry aims to boost security at EV charging stations

When Mercedes-Benz chooses a location for its branded charging network it has strict safety requirements for the environment because the automaker knows security is a top concern for customers. Each spot must have bright lighting and be close to other amenities such as shops and restaurants.

"We are convinced that perceived safety of charging stations has significantly influenced the decision to purchase an EV," said Nico Dettmer, COO of Mercedes-Benz Charging Solutions, which is part of the automaker’s financial and mobility service provider, Mercedes-Benz Mobility. "Potential buyers are more likely to invest in EVs if they feel confident that they can charge their cars in secured and well-monitored environments."

When surveyed by the Transport Energy Institute, EV drivers said they want public charging stations in visible areas that are open 24/7 and have multiple charging ports, bright lighting and security cameras. The report included responses from 500 EV drivers across the U.S. and 99 charger site hosts.

Massive investment

There is a lot at stake for automakers and independent charging operators that are investing billions.
Mercedes-Benz Mobility will invest €1.4 billion ($1.5 billion) into its high-power charging network, which will be deployed over the next six to seven years.

The global spending on EV charging hardware is anticipated to reach $129 billion by 2029, up from $54.6 billion this year, while global spending on EV charging services is expected to reach $255 billion by 2029, up from $51.7 billion this year, according to data from U.K.-based consultancy Juniper Research

Macro- and micro-level

"When choosing a location for our branded charging network, we pay extremely close attention to a suitable environment of the charging hubs on the macro and micro level," Dettmer said.

Therefore, in many cases the hubs have a roof to protect customers from bad weather, and the operating hours of surrounding businesses and amenities are carefully chosen to create an aura of safety.

"EV owners are never left in an isolated or unsafe environment," Dettmer said. "Installing CCTV cameras can also significantly enhance security and deter potential threats, providing a sense of security and surveillance."

Psychological comfort

Placing stations in populated areas where there are other amenities can go a long way to creating a level of psychological comfort for the driver, Gartner analyst Pedro Pacheco said.

"For automakers, it's tricky, because with the exception of Tesla, they don't own the majority of their charging stations and they don't have direct control over the safety of the stations," Pacheco said.

Dettmer said that because Mercedes is building its own network, it has full control over the design decisions throughout installations, as well as during site negotiations.

"We are also convinced that to really ensure safety, a reservation function is an important feature for ensuring the chargers will be available when needed," Dettmer said.

This function is already available for customers in North America and China and will soon be implemented in Europe, he said.

In a statement emailed to Automotive News Europe, Volvo noted that while it does not own any charging infrastructure outright, safety is "at the core" of the brand. "[Volvo] welcomes all initiatives to promote safety for our customers," the statement read.

Secure charging for all

Though Mercedes plans to have more than 2,000 high-power charging points operational before the end of this year, those stations represent a small fraction of the overall number of recharging sites worldwide.

Ionity, the EV charging network joint venture that includes BMW, Ford, Hyundai, Mercedes and Volkswagen, currently has 630 locations in Europe, with nearly 100 more under construction across the region.

Ionity spokeswoman Karin Braeckle said in an email that when developing a site, the company always keeps in mind that a mother with children could be recharging late at night and would want to feel as safe as possible.

CCTV not an EU requirement

"One of the key elements will be the sufficient lighting at the charging station and when possible, on the pathway to the closest amenities," she said.

The visibility around the station is also important to ensure that what is happening at the charging station can be seen from the amenities nearby or the road.

"Our customer surveys show that our customers do not feel insecure when charging at Ionity," she said.

This is true despite many of the stations lacking video surveillance technology.

"CCTV (closed-circuit television) cameras are not a standard at our stations but can be added," Braeckle said, adding that there are currently no European regulations around lighting or security cameras at charging stations.