- Aftermarket NACS-to-NACS extension cords exist
- The lead engineer of the Tesla Cybertruck recommends not utilizing them over dangers of shorting out the charging course of (or worse)
- Tesla is already working to unravel the issue with new charger stalls and a first-party resolution
Let’s simply get this one out of the best way up prime: no matter you do, please do not present as much as a Tesla Supercharger with an NACS “extension wire.”
Yup, you learn that proper. There’s an extension wire on the market now that may prolong the size of a NACS-terminated charging cable, and apparently, some folks suppose that utilizing them at a high-output DC Quick Charger is a good thought. Tesla’s lead engineer for the Cybertruck has one piece of recommendation for these of us: do not.
Wes Morrill took the chance to shortly denounce the concept of utilizing an extension wire on Tesla’s Superchargers or any DC Quick Charging station.
It might sound apparent, however pushing 250 kilowatts (or extra) via copper generates some severe warmth, even over brief distances. DCFCs compensate for this warmth by liquid-cooling their cables—and that is one thing that these extension cords do not help. As Morrill factors out, that would lead to an overheated cable shorting out, opening a distinct bag of points.
“There is a temperature measurement within the deal with and the supercharger derates primarily based on that temperature,” stated Morrill. “With the extension cable that security goes away.”
What Morrill is describing is the other of the “moist towel trick” the place drivers place a chilly, damp towel on a Supercharging deal with to trick the temperature sensor into sustaining an elevated cost charge. When InsideEVs reported on this trick in Could—calling it out to be a security threat—the automaker publicly said that the moist towel trick had no impact on charging pace. Nevertheless, Morrill’s response signifies that the deal with’s temperature sensor does, in actual fact, derate charging primarily based on the deal with temperature.
The vendor of the extension cable, A2Z EV, posted a video of the extension cable on X earlier this month, and it does look fairly beefy. The OEM additionally says that it is dedicated to security and does carry out temperature assessments on its merchandise. Maybe that is why the corporate replied to Morrill asking to debate additional to raised perceive his argument towards utilizing the product. If I needed to guess, they are going to get a really related earful from the engineer.
Reaching For Effectivity
I am going to admit this: an extension cable is a brilliant transfer. I imply, even Tesla thinks so, as a result of they’re constructing their very own NACS-to-NACS extension cable.
Tesla has been opening up its Superchargers to non-Tesla autos over the previous 12 months (together with Common Motors, as of in the present day). The issue is that the situation of a cost port is not standardized, so automakers are simply type of inserting it at no matter nook of the automobile they really feel is the perfect match. Which means GM, Ford, Rivian, and the opposite automakers that may ultimately have entry to Tesla’s chargers might want to double-park with the intention to juice up.
Once more, it is smart for an extension cable to exist. To simply have the ability to plug in an extended cable looks like a fantastic thought, and when you might do it, you should not.
Extension cables introduce resistance to the combo. The longer electrical energy must run throughout a cable, the extra resistance it encounters. This implies extra warmth. And if the charger does not derate, effectively, let’s simply say that you do not wish to be the individual recognized for melting an extension cable to their automobile (or, worse, to a Supercharger).
Hazard apart, these cables additionally pose an effectivity drawback. DCFCs are supposed to be quick. Plug in, cost up, and depart. If the charger is limiting itself due to an overheated cable, meaning slowing down each individual ready in line for his or her flip on the charger. However then once more, so does double-parking, so choose your poison.
The Backside Line: Preserve It Easy
If there’s one factor we have realized with the transfer in direction of EVs, it is that simplicity is commonly key. Over-complicating results in unreliability (taking a look at you, fee processors), and Tesla’s Superchargers are already a marvel of engineering constructed to take the guesswork out of charging. Whenever you introduce variables like extension cables, you may mess up an in any other case slippery easy expertise.
Talking of which, Tesla is already engaged on addressing the issue. First-party extension cable apart, it has additionally begun putting in V4 charging stalls at new Supercharging websites in North America this 12 months, albeit with older V3 cupboards to produce the ability. Presumably, that is to accommodate the entire new autos that may want a bit of additional attain within the cable, as V4 stalls have an extended attain than V3, which had been solely designed for Tesla’s charger placement port.
So let’s take it from the man who, fairly actually, constructed the Cybertruck. Whereas it might appear attractive to purchase one in every of these cables for beneath $300, the issues it dangers introducing aren’t well worth the threat. Your automobile—and different drivers ready behind you on the Supercharger—will thanks.
