When CableGuard® was first discussed around September 2024, it wasn’t in a boardroom. It began in conversations with clients across the UK who were suddenly facing the same growing problem EV charger cable theft.
The issue was spreading fast, with stories of cut cables, vandalised sites and frustrated drivers making headlines. Operators were searching for a solution that didn’t exist yet. As their trusted delivery partners & EV infrastructure advisors, the Formula Space team were being asked daily what could be done. At the time, there was nothing we could recommend with confidence. That gap became the starting point for something new.
Designed for real-world charging sites
Development on CableGuard® began that autumn with a clear brief:
Create a retrofit-ready protection system that could be rolled out quickly, work with every major charger type, and most importantly, stop thefts & vandalism, eliminate downtime. It had to be robust, scalable, safe and inclusive for the everyday user
Following extensive ideation, testing and research from our internal product development team, six months later, on 11 April 2025, CableGuard® was officially announced. The first installations took place that same week at 12 UK sites operated by InstaVolt, who partnered with Formula Space throughout development to test and validate the product in live conditions.
The concept seemed simple but was fraught with technical challenges overcome by intelligent design culminating in a cut-resistant sleeve with integrated forensic traceability that marks tools, vehicles and suspects if tampered with. It not only defends the cable but gives law enforcement actionable evidence – a genuine deterrent that changes the risk-reward equation for theft.
From innovation to implementation
Fast forward to today, and thousands of charger cables across the UK and Europe are now protected by CableGuard®. The product has evolved into a modular system with three available versions (at time of writing), each designed to meet the specific demands of different networks and geographical conditions.
- V1 focuses on cut resistance and forensic deterrence, offering lightweight, high-tech cut protection with minimal impact on user experience and maximum prevention through proven smart tracing technology.
- V2 introduces further cut resistant materials to limit/completely inhibit the effectiveness of the tools seen in the operation of cable thieves.
- V3 integrates state of the art anti-theft technology for a comprehensive, multi-layered defence system and early warning system.
This adaptability has made CableGuard® a trusted addition to charging infrastructure for some of the biggest names in the industry, now being fitted as standard across new site deployments.
Recognition from the industry – EVIE Award Winner
Last week, that journey was recognised at the EVIE Awards 2025, where CableGuard® was named Best New Product with Product Development Lead, Roderick McLachlan and Marketing Lead Reuben Elman representing Formula Space at the prize giving.
The award celebrates the most impactful innovations shaping the future of EV infrastructure, and for Formula Space, it marks an important milestone and proof that solving real operational problems with intelligent design creates lasting change. The win is a reflection of collaboration across the industry. It represents the work of operators who supported trials, the engineers who refined every detail, and the wider Formula Space team who believed that reliability, security and user experience can all coexist.
A step forward for EV site reliability
The success of CableGuard® highlights a wider point: site reliability doesn’t just depend on charger hardware. It depends on the protection, consistency and foresight built around it. A secure site is one that stays online, keeps customers confident and protects investment for the long term.
As EV charging networks continue to expand across the UK and Europe, technologies like CableGuard® will play a vital role in keeping that infrastructure safe and trusted.
About Formula Space
Formula Space is an end-to-end delivery partner for EV charging environments, specialising in above-ground infrastructure including canopies, modular foundations, signage, CCTV and theft protection systems.
To learn more about CableGuard® or discuss protection for your network, visit the CableGuard® page
