4 ways to get a charger stuck in your electric car
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Charging an electric car seems like a simple process, however, some unforeseen events can happen during the operation of the charging cables. Here we will tell you what to do if the charging cable is stuck in your car and how to fix the problem easily.
Perhaps you've ever seen a forgetful motorist walk nonchalantly out of a gas station with the fuel pump hose still attached to his car. If you think that nothing like this could happen to an electric car, think again. In fact, high-tech charging cables can get stuck too. Luckily, there are several ways to deal with a charging cable that won't disconnect from your electric car.
What to do if your electric car charger is stuck
There are several reasons why a charging cable can get stuck, and each one is just as annoying as the next. Sometimes an alarming problem can be due to a faulty closure mechanism. Sometimes the problem is caused by a driver bug. No matter what caused your EV cable to get stuck, you'll want to know exactly what to do if it happens to you and when.
1. Unlock your electric car
The first thing you should try is unlocking your electric car with a key fob or smartphone. This trick usually works, as the number one reason EV cables get stuck is because the vehicle itself must be unlocked before the cable can be physically disconnected.
2. Contact the vehicle supplier or the owner of the charging station.
If unlocking the car does not unplug the cable and you are charging at a public charging station, try contacting an electric vehicle charging service provider. Most charging stations clearly list a toll-free customer service number. Be sure to report the problem to the person who works at the station. Even if they cannot provide an easy solution, it is important that the shipping company is aware of the problem with the equipment.
3. Read the user manual
If the above solutions did not help, please consult the user manual for advice. Most electric vehicle chargers come with a manual override system. For example, Tesla EV chargers can be turned off using a small handle hidden in the trunk. The exact location of the latch is indicated in the user manual.
4. Emergency roadside assistance
In extreme cases, call an ambulance on the road. If you belong to AAA, call them and explain the problem. If your vehicle is equipped with OnStar service, you can use it to call for help. Either way, you'll have a tow truck driver or mechanic with you in case something goes wrong while you're trying to get your stuck charging cable out.
Two Types of Charging Cables You Should Know
Not all electric vehicle charging cables are the same. Type 1 cables are commonly used for home charging systems. Type 2 cables are smaller than type 1 cable but often get stuck due to plug drive failure. Using force to disconnect a Type 1 cable can cause serious damage, so make sure you don't deviate from the four solutions above.
Type 2 charging cables are larger and shaped differently than Type 1 cables. A Type 2 cable usually has a visible locking mechanism at the top of the plug. When the cable is in the locked position, a small latch opens to prevent accidental disconnection.
Whether your charging cable is type 1 or type 2, the cable must always be unplugged from the vehicle before unplugging the cable from the charging socket.
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