"We confirm the occurrence of some isolated cases of vandalism at public electric vehicle charging stations, which have raised some concern in the sector," said Carlos Ferraz, president of APOCME – the Portuguese Association of Electric Mobility Operators and Retailers, when asked about public complaints in this regard.

According to the association leader, these incidents "appear to be confined to certain areas of the country and represent a small percentage of the approximately 3,000 fast and ultra-fast charging stations currently installed in Portugal."

Carlos Ferraz explained that thefts and vandalism are most prevalent in the Greater Lisbon area, particularly on the south bank of the Tagus.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: Fred Desrosiers ;

The president of APOCME also stated that the reported thefts involve "charging cables from chargers, and therefore, when these situations occur, the stations remain inoperative until normal operating and safety conditions are restored."

EDP Comercial, one of the largest public charging stations in Portugal, also confirmed that "acts of vandalism were recently recorded at some of the public charging stations managed by the company. These cases were quickly reported to the appropriate authorities, and service is being restored as quickly as possible," an official source said.

Powerdot, for its part, has recorded "cases of vandalism and theft of materials, not only in Portugal, but also in other markets where it operates," the company stated in a response to Lusa.

According to the group, "this is a worrying trend that, in addition to causing financial damage, compromises the experience of electric vehicle users."

Powerdot assured that all incidents are reported to the appropriate authorities, to which it provides "all relevant information, including video surveillance footage, ensuring full cooperation in the investigation process."

At the same time, Powerdot is "strengthening its security measures by implementing detection and alarm systems that allow for a faster response, as well as additional equipment protection, to deter future incidents," indicating that its commitment is "to ensure maximum availability of charging points and the trust of all users."

For the president of APOCME, the important thing "is to ensure that operators can ensure maximum equipment operability, minimising the impact on the service provided to users," adding that its members "have actively collaborated with the appropriate authorities in the investigation of these cases."

According to Carlos Ferraz, "through this collaboration, and with the support of video surveillance systems installed at the stations, suspects have already been identified, both for those committing the thefts and for those purchasing these types of materials."

"As APOCME, we remain attentive to the evolving situation and in constant coordination with the authorities," he emphasized, indicating that the association has requested "meetings with the PSP National Command, the National Republican Guard National Command, and the Ministry of Internal Administration to strengthen this collaboration."