HPC EV chargers knocked out near Naples in targeted theft spree

A series of deliberate thefts has disabled multiple HPC (high-power charging) stations in the Naples region of southern Italy. According to local reports, unknown perpetrators broke into several sites operated by Enel X Way — the EV charging subsidiary of Italian energy giant Enel — and systematically stripped the chargers of key internal components.

The attacks appear to have been carefully planned rather than opportunistic. The thieves specifically targeted valuable technical parts inside the charging units, such as control electronics and copper cabling, rendering the stations completely inoperable. This pattern suggests organized criminal activity rather than random vandalism.

The affected stations remain offline, and no timeline for restoration has been announced. Enel X Way operates one of the largest public EV fast-charging networks in Europe, with a significant presence in Italy. Incidents like this can have a disproportionate impact in areas where charging infrastructure is still sparse, potentially discouraging EV adoption.

The Naples thefts raise broader questions about the physical resilience of Europe's fast-charging rollout. As EU member states accelerate charging network expansion under the AFIR regulation, operators and policymakers may need to invest more heavily in physical security measures — from surveillance to reinforced enclosures — to protect critical EV infrastructure.