Need for a charger station "emergency-breakaway" device?

[FarAway]

Something I had never thought about, the need to rapidly drive away from a charger (flee?) without having to exit the vehicle and disconnect.

I could easily think of a few scenarios where one might want to do this, not all involve an aggressor outside the car. For example, a fuel spill and fire from nearby gas pumps could easily happen.

Not sure if Tesla could enable this feature with a software update?
Anyhow, this company sells just such a device just for emergency situations:

(4) EVject on X: "Late night charging? EVject is the only EV charging connector that allows you to escape from scary situations while plugged in! Experience peace-of-mind and take charge of your safety today!" / X (twitter.com)




https://evject.com/

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[Sjohnson20]

I doubt Tesla would want people launching the supercharger handles from the car. People are lazy they would just do it so they don't have to get out.

 

[Crissa]

I doubt Tesla would want people launching the supercharger handles from the car. People are lazy they would just do it so they don't have to get out.

You lose the EVject every time, though.

-Crissa

 

[Travis64]

You cant drive while charging ?

 

[Sjohnson20]

You cant drive while charging ?

nope

 

[Crissa]

How would someone with a Tesla not know this?

They will not engage the motors while either getting current or detecting the charge connector.

-Crissa

 

[P_O_Man3849]

I like this suggestion, with emergency vehicles like fire trucks, ambulances etc, devices like the Kussmaul Auto Ejects are used. While the vehicles are not being used they are plugged in to maintain the batteries, but once the ignition is turned on the solenoid pops out the extension cord so the vehicle can drive away. Something like this could be incorporated into EV charging to save precious seconds during a medical emergency, house fire or other event where you don't have time to unplug before driving away.

 

[FarAway]

Even with the "eject device" installed one has to physically select "eject" on the touch screen to eject the charger and allow the motors to engage.

If Tesla enabled such a function, at their chargers it would be easy to see who abused it without cause and impose a cost for damages.

 

[P_O_Man3849]

I see your scenario is more related to charging in a public location, what I was referring to was charging at home. If out in public it's no different than if you're at a gas pump when a thug attempts to car jack you, do you take the time to remove the fuel dispenser from the gas tank before driving away, or rely on the quick disconnect of the gas hose? From what people are describing, sounds like you are trapped in that EV and cannot drive away unless the assailant is willing to disconnect the charging cord for you?

 

[Woodrick]

Something I had never thought about, the need to rapidly drive away from a charger (flee?) without having to exit the vehicle and disconnect.

I could easily think of a few scenarios where one might want to do this, not all involve an aggressor outside the car. For example, a fuel spill and fire from nearby gas pumps could easily happen.

Not sure if Tesla could enable this feature with a software update?
Anyhow, this company sells just such a device just for emergency situations:

(4) EVject on X: "Late night charging? EVject is the only EV charging connector that allows you to escape from scary situations while plugged in! Experience peace-of-mind and take charge of your safety today!" / X (twitter.com)




https://evject.com/

If this is a perceived issue for you, then do like you are supposed to do at gas stations, just stand by the plug and pull it if needed.

I doubt if all the members on this forum have enough fingers to count the number of social influencers that 's going to try it.

If you don't feel you are in a sage location, charge elsewhere.

 

[kpanda17]

ive never had a panic situation with legacy gas station filling where I needed to go away
I cannot see needing this now
if USA society changes and this becomes a need, we have a much bigger issue
a civil war would be coming....pray never again

 

[theoldguy]

Man sometimes you guys are a rough crowd...
This issue about being stuck while charging has been discussed on and off for a while, and a couple of YouTuber's created a design challenge a few years ago. Yes I was one of the entrants.
My idea was mostly poo poo'd for many of the same reasons you all are discussing, but I still use my product when I'm in a sketchy area, or If I'm trying to get back to the charger before incurring idle fees.

 

[CyberGus]

Yeah, I want a remote app that will pull the cable release and push the charge cable out so that I can avoid idle fees

 

[TexasRaider]

Man sometimes you guys are a rough crowd...
This issue about being stuck while charging has been discussed on and off for a while, and a couple of YouTuber's created a design challenge a few years ago. Yes I was one of the entrants.
My idea was mostly poo poo'd for many of the same reasons you all are discussing, but I still use my product when I'm in a sketchy area, or If I'm trying to get back to the charger before incurring idle fees.

This video is what I was recalling as well.
It’d completely be an aftermarket item, with the user footing the bill for any damage incurred to the property / charger. Which of course, if it was for an actual illegal act like robbery the EV driver would have use their insurance to cover costs to Tesla. (In my opinion- I’m not a lawyer haha)

 

[Sjohnson20]

I see your scenario is more related to charging in a public location, what I was referring to was charging at home. If out in public it's no different than if you're at a gas pump when a thug attempts to car jack you, do you take the time to remove the fuel dispenser from the gas tank before driving away, or rely on the quick disconnect of the gas hose? From what people are describing, sounds like you are trapped in that EV and cannot drive away unless the assailant is willing to disconnect the charging cord for you?

Basically when you are at supercharger or public charger usually it's for a much longer time then a gas pump. So you either sit in the car or walk somewhere. Some locations are in areas behind gas stations or places you probably wouldn't really want to be alone if it's late at night. There's been some EV drivers killed while charging. I know one was at a Target or Walmart in California.

Also, a factor is someone driving a Tesla or expensive EV may be a target since they look like they have money. At least in the eyes of a carjacker or someone looking to rob them.

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