The transportation sector is rapidly moving towards Electric Vehicles (EVs) due to countries’ goals of reducing carbon emissions and phasing out Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs). The rapid growth of EVs and the increasing demand for EV charging infrastructure has led to the development of smart and connected charging stations. These offer a range of benefits, including remote monitoring, real-time data collection and enhanced user experience. However, as with any connected device, they also face a range of cybersecurity threats that could compromise the safety and reliability of the charging network.

This white paper provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges encountered by the public EV charging industry, with an emphasis on Europe and North America. These regions have witnessed substantial growth in EV adoption and charging infrastructure deployment, making them pivotal markets for addressing the need for robust cybersecurity measures. In the realm of Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) cybersecurity, attention is often directed towards public chargers due to their heightened vulnerability to cyber-attacks. These chargers, accessible to a diverse range of users and required to operate in remote, sometimes hostile environments, inherently possess an increased potential for malicious activities. By examining the specific threats and vulnerabilities associated with these charging stations, this paper aims to cultivate an understanding of the criticality of cybersecurity within this rapidly evolving industry.

In the second section of this paper, an overview of the EV charging market and the growing demand for smart and connected charging stations is discussed. This section also explores the benefits and challenges associated with these devices and highlights the importance of cybersecurity in ensuring the safety and reliability of the charging network.