- 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 way in which 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 can lengthen the size of a NACS-terminated charging cable, and apparently, some folks assume that utilizing them at a high-output DC Quick Charger is a superb thought. Tesla’s lead engineer for the Cybertruck has one piece of recommendation for these people: do not.
Wes Morrill took the chance to rapidly denounce the concept of utilizing an extension wire on Tesla’s Superchargers or any DC Quick Charging station.
It may appear 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 assist. As Morrill factors out, that might lead to an overheated cable shorting out, opening a unique bag of points.
“There is a temperature measurement within the deal with and the supercharger derates based mostly 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 price. When InsideEVs reported on this trick in Could—calling it out to be a security threat—the automaker publicly acknowledged that the moist towel trick had no impact on charging velocity. Nevertheless, Morrill’s response signifies that the deal with’s temperature sensor does, in reality, derate charging based mostly 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 quite beefy. The OEM additionally says that it is dedicated to security and does carry out temperature exams 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 comparable 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 Basic Motors, as of in the present day). The issue is that the placement of a cost port is not standardized, so automakers are simply form of putting it at no matter nook of the automobile they really feel is the very best match. Because of this GM, Ford, Rivian, and the opposite automakers that can finally have entry to Tesla’s chargers might want to double-park so as to juice up.
Once more, it is smart for an extension cable to exist. To simply be capable to plug in an extended cable looks as if an important thought, and when you may do it, you should not.
Extension cables introduce resistance to the combination. 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 automotive (or, worse, to a Supercharger).
Hazard apart, these cables additionally pose an effectivity downside. 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: Maintain It Easy
If there’s one factor we have realized with the transfer in the direction of EVs, it is that simplicity is commonly key. Over-complicating results in unreliability (taking a look at you, cost 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 all the new autos that can want a bit of additional attain within the cable, as V4 stalls have an extended attain than V3, which have 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 engaging to purchase considered one of these cables for underneath $300, the issues it dangers introducing aren’t well worth the threat. Your automotive—and different drivers ready behind you on the Supercharger—will thanks.
