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Charging an electric vehicle itself is generally quite secure. If the charger has been correctly set up and is functioning well, the likelihood of encountering any type of safety-related issue is minimal. However, that only addresses the mechanical and electrical safety concerns – what about the human factor?
Nevertheless, while an electric vehicle is connected and charging, it cannot be engaged and driven away, as the vehicle will not permit it. This could hinder your ability to make a swift departure from your parking spot. Fortunately, a novel product named EVject is revolutionizing this scenario.
Electric Vehicles Functions Differently than Internal Combustion Engines during Refilling/Recharging
Conventional vehicles can be driven away while refueling, although this is highly unadvisable. On occasion, this occurs unintentionally, leading the vehicle to dislodge the fuel hose from the pump and drive off with it dragging behind. In contrast, electric vehicles are equipped with software and hardware protections that prevent them from being driven away while still connected to the charging station.
The reason electric vehicles cannot be driven away while plugged in is due to a built-in safety mechanism that prevents the driver from forcibly disconnecting the cable from the charger while electricity is flowing through it, an action that could harm not only the charger but also the vehicle.
Tesla Model 3 plugged-in at Tesla Supercharger in Toronto Canada
However, unintended consequences ensue.
As the vehicle cannot be moved without removing the plug from the charging port, the driver is unable to swiftly leave the site in the event of a sudden threat. To depart, they must first exit the vehicle, proceed to the charge port, disconnect the vehicle, re-enter the vehicle, engage the gear, and then drive off. This process can take around ten seconds, depending on the charge port’s location.
What if you have less than 10 seconds? Imagine being parked at a DC fast charger, charging your EV, and suddenly facing a threatening situation. The last thing you want to do is step out of the vehicle to disconnect – but you are stuck until you do so.
I have personally charged at locations during off-hours where I felt somewhat uneasy and stayed vigilant while my vehicle was charging. I can only imagine the unease someone less able to defend themselves might feel in the same scenario. There have been recorded instances of such occurrences, and EVject boasts testimonials from content customers; some were even in perilous situations in the past and wish they had the EVject then.
One of the challenges lies in the positioning of certain public charging stations. Frequently, the charging station’s managing network cannot position the chargers prominently on the premises, leading to the installation of chargers behind structures or in remote corners of vast parking lots with sparse foot traffic and dim lighting conditions.
The EVject accessory is initially attached to the charger’s socket and then linked to the EV. If the owner feels the imperative to vacate the location swiftly, all they have to do is press the charge connector release button and proceed to engage drive mode to depart.
Currently, EVject only offers the escape device compatible with Tesla’s charge port (NACS connector). Nevertheless, the company is developing escape devices for both CCS1 (North America) and CCS2 (Europe).
The EVject utilizes the communication pins on the vehicle’s charge port to “deceive” the vehicle into thinking the connector has been detached. This enables the vehicle to engage drive mode and drive off. Subsequently, the EVject breaks into two segments; one section stays in the vehicle’s charge port, while the other remains affixed to the charger’s connector. The segment that remains attached to the charger’s connector safeguards the connector as it falls to the ground.
InsideEVs
The NACS EVject is designed to separate with 110 lbs. of force on the charger’s connector handle and charge port. Most EVs can endure 200-300 lbs. of force on the charge port, hence the EVject is engineered to disengage safely prior to causing any harm to the vehicle or charger equipment.
I conducted a trial of the EVject, and it functioned as advertised, without causing any harm to the vehicle or the Supercharger’s connector.
Do I believe every EV owner should possess an EVject in their electric vehicle at all times? Certainly not. The utility for this accessory probably pertains to a relatively small percentage of the total EV drivers. Nevertheless, it does cater to a particular need for select drivers.
Would I recommend my spouse to utilize one when she is charging our electric vehicles at public charging stations? Not always, but I will stash one in the car for her when she’s charging at a DC fast charger during nighttime in unfamiliar locations. I will leave the decision to her if she wishes to utilize it or not, but I appreciate that it will be accessible to her should the need arise.
Some may argue that EVJect is operating out of fear; some individuals may hold this opinion due to not encountering a situation necessitating its use. Nevertheless, that does not signify such scenarios do not occur. Furthermore, as more malicious individuals realize that electric vehicles are immobilized during charging, we may notice an increase in confrontations or assaults on individuals while they are charging – much like the current trend of vandalism against EV chargers resulting in cable severance.
Available at a price of $299.00 less 25%When utilizing any of the numerous promo codes available, I find the EVject to be a valuable tool, even if the buyer never needs to utilize it, a scenario we anticipate. Share your viewpoints in the comments below.
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