Can I sit in my electric car while it is charging
Can An Electric Car Be On While Charging?
Everyone knows it isnt safe to leave a gas-powered vehicle running while filling it up at the pump.
But what about electric cars can you leave them on while charging, or is it just as unsafe?
Electric vehicles can be on while theyre charging. They work much like smartphones and other electronics, and there are no safety issues with turning them on while charging.
Charging Electric Vehicles Safely
Most electric vehicle owners charge their car whenever its parked for an extended length of time, such as overnight or during the day while at work.
Unlike gas vehicles, which cannot be on while fueling, electric cars are safe to turn on while being charged you wont start any fires or cause any problems with the vehicle.
Many electric car owners turn their cars on remotely when plugged in to run the air conditioner or heater or defrost the windows before getting in the vehicle.
There are only two things to remember before powering up your vehicle while it is charging:
First, you cant drive it while its plugged in. As a safety feature, the computer senses when the vehicle is charging, disabling the drive chain so you cannot put the car in drive or step on the gas.
This feature prevents you from accidentally taking off and damaging the vehicle, the charger, or other components that shouldnt be used when the car is plugged in.
Most internal systems should otherwise work normally, including the stereo, heating, air conditioning, and computer.
The other thing to remember is that the vehicle will take longer to charge if its running. The more features you use (AC, radio, navigation, etc.), the longer it will take.
If youre in a hurry and need to charge it quickly, you probably shouldnt turn the car on while its charging.
Also, if you arent charging your vehicle at home, remember that charge stations are usually priced by the minute. Using the car while its plugged in will add time and cost.
Is it Safe to Sit in an Electric Car While Its Charging?
Yes, its absolutely fine for you to sit inside your electric car while its charging.
In the unlikely event that a major failure happens in the battery or electrical systems, you will still be fine.
Engineers have meticulously insulated the vehicle and have gone over everything that could go wrong with the systems in the electric car.
The only time you shouldnt sit in the car while its plugged in is if you have specific medical devices implanted in your body.
There will be warnings in your owners manual about specific medical devices, but if you have any that can be affected by electrical currents (e.g., a pacemaker), you should avoid sitting in your car while it charges.
What Happens if My Electric Car Runs Out of Battery?
If your car runs out of battery, your vehicle will stop.
The car will shut down its electrical systems, and your engine will turn off.
From here, youll have to call a tow truck to take you and the vehicle home or to a charging station.
Luckily, your electric car wont die out of nowhere.
Your vehicle will warn you when you start to run low on power. The closer you get to a dead battery, the more persistent the warnings will get.
Many vehicles will also have some sort of battery-saving mode that can make you pull over before the car dies.
In addition to low power warnings, the vehicle can also give you directions to the nearest charging stations.
Can You Charge Your Electric Car in a Normal Outlet?
All normal electric vehicles have an additional power cord that can plug into a standard outlet.
As long as your outlet and cables are in good shape, its perfectly safe to charge your car in a normal electrical outlet.
The downside of charging in a standard 110-volt outlet is that its slow. You can charge for eight hours overnight and only get around a 40-mile (64 km) range.
Using 240-volt chargers is much more efficient. It charges much faster, meaning you get more miles with the same amount of charging time.
If you dont have another option and dont drive far each day, you should be fine using a normal outlet.
The best choice is to purchase and install a charging station in your garage. When you buy your electric car, you should be given the option of a charging pack.
These are commonly referred to as Level 2 chargers. Theyre essentially converters installed on the wall that act as outlets running at the efficient 240-volt threshold.
Conclusion
Its perfectly safe to turn on, sit in, and use your electric car while its charging.
You wont be able to drive off when its plugged in, and you should keep in mind that turning it on will take it longer to charge.
Is It Safe to Turn on an Electric Vehicle While Its Plugged in and Charging?
Is It Safe to Turn on an Electric Vehicle While Its Plugged in and Charging?
Most drivers know they shouldn't leave their cars running while refilling with gas. But is the safe to turn on an EV when it's plugged in and charging?
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If youre accustomed to driving a gas-powered vehicle,you might wonder how owning an EV would differ. For instance, how does charging an electric vehicle differ from filling up at the pump?Most drivers know they shouldnt leave their cars running while refilling with gas. But is it safe to start an EV when its plugged in and charging?
The basics of EV charging
EV owners generally plug their cars in when parked for extended periods, Pod Point reports. That means owners most frequently plug their vehicles in at home or work to ensure the battery maintains sufficient charge (although public charging stations are available when needed). When EV owners must drive out of their vehicles range, theyll need to take advantage of a remote rapid charging station to ensure theyre not left without sufficient juice to get where theyre going.
Electric vehicle charging is relatively simple. It involves plugging the car into a charging point using a cable. Charging at home works best with the installation of a dedicated charger. Though you can plug an EV into a standard three-pronged outlet, charging takes much longer, and experts consider it less safe.
EVs arent like gas-powered cars when it comes to refueling safety
If youre a new EV owner, you might wonder whether you can safely leave the vehicle on while charging. After all, it would be nice to have some entertainment or climate control while you wait for your car to recharge fully.
Luckily, EVs arent like gas-powered vehicles when it comes to leaving them on while refueling. Electric cars are more like cell phones in that you can still use them when plugged in. There arent any safety concerns associated with turning on your electric vehicle while juicing. So you feel free to use your entertainment system, air conditioner, or another feature that would make your wait more pleasant.
In fact, its not uncommon for drivers to remote-start their EVs while theyre charging to get the HVAC system going ahead of time. That way, theyre assured of a comfortable ride when its time to unplug and hit the road.
The downside to leaving your vehicle running while charging
So, if youve been dying to sit back and enjoy your sound system while waiting for your EV to recharge, go right ahead. But wed be remiss if we didnt mention at least one drawback to this practice.
The most important caveat to keep in mind is that recharging will take longer if you use your EV to do other things while charging. Again, its like your phone. The more you use it while its charging, the longer it will take to reach a full charge.
So, the next time youre at the charging station and want to crank up the A/C, ask yourself: How long can I afford to sit here, and is the tradeoff of time for comfort and entertainment worth it?Youre the only one who can answer that question.
Is It Safe To Sit In Whilst Rapid Charging???
#1so I'm say charging at tibshelf on the rapid charger with my zoe (thanks ecotricity) and the car is firing some kind of fan whilst it's charging, and it got me thinking...Is it safe to sit in it whilst it's rapid charging? There is a lot going off in the car with a lot of electricity running into it, so wondered if there are any possible health problems with it charging so quick?I'm sure I can feel my legs tingling...
#4I'm sure I can feel my legs tingling...
Must you insist on sitting in the car naked...
#5No it's not safe at all. Someone could lose control as they drive past and crash into you.
#7 We should not forget the risk of being hit by a meteorite!
#6Not sure this is a serious question. Yes it is safe or there would be all sorts of warnings. Nothing in my knowledge of electricity suggests there would be an issue. The car metal body would tend to screen any kind of radiation from the current. We do live in a world full of electromagnetic waves and sitting in the car is no different, the inevitable mobile phone will of course be transmitting intermittently.
#8Don't worry, that's only the short range pseudo-resonant propagating transverse EM modes (from the sine-harmonicI'm sure I can feel my legs tingling...
multi
-frequency oscillation from the switch mode charger). The muscle weakness that will follow shortly after is only temporary. #11Just make sure you never sit in anything with 80 odd litres of highly flammable, volatile liquid stored under the floor and you'll be fine.
#12Do you realise you can switch the car on and use the heating while at a rapid?As rapids are powerful it doesn't really affect the charge time much either.Well I assume a Zoe can too...
#27You don't need to switch on the Zoe to warm up..the preheat timer on the keyfob will activate when you're inside with the doors locked..
#13I'm sure there is a warning in the manual that anyone with a pacemaker or similar medical device should not be in the car while it is charging. I also think there is a similar warning on the rapid chargers that anyone with a pacemaker shouldn't operate them.These warnings are probably due to the fact there is no research on the possible effects of any magnetic field generated by charging on such devices, and the manufacturers are attempting to mitigate any risk of court action should someone do the 'research'.
#23I'm sure there is a warning in the manual that anyone with a pacemaker or similar medical device should not be in the car while it is charging. I also think there is a similar warning on the rapid chargers that anyone with a pacemaker shouldn't operate them.
I recently purchased a small battery powered Thermometer. It had a 16 page instruction manual, with four pages of warnings.
I regularly sit in my Leaf as I rapid charge, listening to the radio, keeping warm and dry.
AS for the Electrical side, there is a whole batch of safeguards built into the system to prevent death or injury, thats why it takes several seconds between pressing the charge button and the charge starting. In some respects that is why rapid chargers often fail. They fail safe.
#14well this made me laugh to my self as if you think that could possibly be dangerous. hum me thinks not .
but there should be a post about lest just say that in just one place off the top of my head ikea burstall leeds west yorkshire there are two rapid points just infront of the rapids and surounding areas lovley BIG puddles of water!!!!
so as you stand in them with a 400volts wire and connector about to plug into the car me thinks ohhhh
hope my rubber soles dont have holes..
it is funny tho as no test its seems to be a lot of rapid with puddles around them but hey we all live life on the edge he he.
otley
#26 well this made me laugh to my self as if you think that could possibly be dangerous. hum me thinks not .
but there should be a post about lest just say that in just one place off the top of my head ikea burstall leeds west yorkshire there are two rapid points just infront of the rapids and surounding areas lovley BIG puddles of water!!!!
so as you stand in them with a 400volts wire and connector about to plug into the car me thinks ohhhh
hope my rubber soles dont have holes..
it is funny tho as no test its seems to be a lot of rapid with puddles around them but hey we all live life on the edge he he.
otley
The local TERRA 52 rapid at Trory service station had a HUGE puddle of water around the front of it recently..I just wasn't prepared to wade into it to get to the charge port for the topup charge I had in mind when I arrived,so drove home instead! (missed photo op...)
#15so long as you don't mind all body hair standing on end and an uncontrollable urge to stick your fingers into the 12v socket,it's all good..
#17 Some of those replies have made me smile this morning!!!
It was a semi serious question as I'm in no way a techno man when it comes to electricity etc, i just wondered if there could be any problems with that amount of electricity coming into the car.
@Mark Elvini might invest in a pair of those for when I'm charging, or even for wearing at work!!!
#21I thought the tin hat had to be pyramid shaped to focus all the universes positive energy?
#30I have felt that tingle in my toes and wondered too... Being an optimist I thought maybe the magnetic field must be transporting my molecules somewhere psychedelic (well I am of a certain age)... Any techies out there? Is there a mild vibration set up as the voltage pumps away at the battery?
#31I have felt that tingle in my toes and wondered too... Being an optimist I thought maybe the magnetic field must be transporting my molecules somewhere psychedelic (well I am of a certain age)...Any techies out there? Is there a mild vibration set up as the voltage pumps away at the battery?
Dont think it's the voltage pumping at the battery, especially if you're DC rapid charging, but (depending on what car you've got) it might be a cooling fan?
#32Yeah I find my Leaf seems to have various cooling fans running under my seat whilst rapid charging and sometimes you can hear relays clicking. I'm sure it would flag up a warning light if there were a problem. Actually it would probably immediately switch off the charge if there was an issue.
#33Zoe has active battery cooling which almost always kicks in on a rapid. The motor will cool itself and the air con can come on to channel cool air to the actively cooled battery pack fans. Zoe can make itself heard when charging and you can feel it if your sitting in the car paying attention.Alternatively you can curl up in the back for a short nap (tried it om overnight drive from Manchester). Not much room but comfy enough seat for a decent kip. Plus the fans humming away is a technological lullaby.
#34Been sitting down driving for a while already...check....tingling in legs/toes when sitting in car charging....check... Isn't that just pins and needles....would suggest to me a good time to get out and have a wander around!
#38 It is safe to sit in the Nissan LEAF when rapid charging but it is always a good opportunity to grab yourself a coffee. ^ML
#39If you want a real example of dangerous practice, consider the scenario whereby you can press a few buttons on a machine then wait whilst it pumps out a highly volatile, highly inflammable liquid hydrocarbon without any check on whether it's actually going where you intended and will quite happily allow the last few drops to spill on the ground in the vicinity of nearby electrical machinery. Whoops ! - isn't that a pretty good description of a petrol forecourt ?
#43This thread is the stuff urban myths are made of, there are so many strange myths surrounding electric, my mother believes that if a socket doesn't have a plug in it the electric will leak out, it really is electrickery
#45 This thread is the stuff urban myths are made of, there are so many strange myths surrounding electric, my mother believes that if a socket doesn't have a plug in it the electric will leak out, it really is electrickery
You don't need to worry about the plug, as long as it's switched off the electricity won't leak from the socket. Hence the change from sockets not requiring switches to BS2391 where switches were mandated. I do believe these regulations were initially opposed by Brussels. Thought to be, in part, due to lobbying by the French nuclear industry. They were trying to get back some of the cash they'd spent on the channel interconnect.
#46They operate a completely different electrical system on the continent, there are no fuses in plugs, there are no switches on sockets, plugs can be inserted either way round so pos and neg are interchangeable, all the protection is done at the fuse box.
#47Id say that if youre having tingling feelings in your legs and its more than the odd occasion then you might want to go see a doctor rather than an electrician.That, and maybe not sit in the car but take a bit of a walk to get the blood circulating.
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