- 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 answer
Let’s simply get this one out of the way in which up high: 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 individuals assume that utilizing them at a high-output DC Quick Charger is a good concept. 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 critical 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 unique 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 alternative 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 Might—calling it out to be a security danger—the automaker publicly acknowledged that the moist towel trick had no impact on charging pace. Nonetheless, Morrill’s response signifies that the deal with’s temperature sensor does, actually, 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 relatively 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 higher perceive his argument in opposition to utilizing the product. If I needed to guess, they are going to get a really related earful from the engineer.
Reaching For Effectivity
I will 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 automobiles over the previous 12 months (together with Common Motors, as of at this time). The issue is that the situation of a cost port is not standardized, so automakers are simply form of inserting it at no matter nook of the car they really feel is the most effective match. Which means that 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 only be capable of plug in an extended cable looks as if a fantastic concept, and whilst 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, nicely, let’s simply say that you do not need to be the particular person identified 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 particular person 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 discovered with the transfer in the direction of EVs, it is that simplicity is usually 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. While you introduce variables like extension cables, you might 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 automobiles 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 could appear engaging to purchase considered one of these cables for underneath $300, the issues it dangers introducing aren’t well worth the danger. Your automotive—and different drivers ready behind you on the Supercharger—will thanks.
