How to Store and Protect your EV Charging Cable

Ways to store and protect your EV charging cable for long-lasting use

Your charging cable enables you to charge your electric vehicle from private or public charging stations or even from main household sockets. The majority of public charging stations in Europe require a cable in order to charge your car. Therefore, you will generally get a lot of use from a single charging cable. So how do you maintain this essential piece of equipment to make the most of it?

What to do to increase the lifespan and durability of your EV charging cable

Firstly, choose an appropriate cable. Pick the correct connector Type (1 or 2) for your EV as well as the suitable current rating for your car. Purchase a cable that can, at least, charge with the maximum AC charging rate your car can accept. Getting a higher rated cable is also acceptable and even beneficial for future use. For example if your EV is capable to accept 7.2kW, a cable that provides 11kW is also a good choice. Your car will never take more than it is possible. Check the EV specifications for your car here.

Another decision you will need to make before purchasing your electric vehicle charging cable, is a suitable length. Calculate the distance from your home charging unit or from the usual charging point that you use, to make sure there is enough distance for a secure charging. Do not use the cable excessively stretched to charge your electric car.

We highly reccoment, for charging stations that do not have integrated cable, to always remove the cable when you are done with the charging from both sides. Disconnect the cable from the vehicle side first and then the station side. This also applies to the portable charging cables you can use with household sockets. Do not leave them plugged in if not in use.

Indoor storage

Proper storage is one of the most important steps for longevity. We reccoment to keep the cable in a storage bag to avoid damaging it by accident. A storage bag makes it easy to carry and store the cable also in the boot of your car. Additionally, this way you can keep the pins within the connector plug clean and dry which is very important for the best performance. Moisture and dirt in the contacts can result in the cable not working and this is the most common cause of faults for EV charging cables. If something like this happens you need to leave the cable over 24 hours to dry naturally. Do not try to speed-dry it by letting it next to a fireplace or by using a heat blowing product. All our charging cables are rated with the allocated IP rating which usually protects, to an extend, from debris and splashes of water.

Outdoor storage

When the cable is stored outdoors, we reccoment to keep it away from long exposures of direct sunlight or leave it on the ground where the rain can get to it. You should also ensure that the charging cable is not twisted or excessively bent during the storage. Ideal outdoor storage for your cable is a holder/hook and a dummy socket to hung the cable on the wall. This way you will keep the cable dry, easy to access and close to your electric car.

Essentially, the maintenance of an electric vehicle charging cable is the same as any other electrical device or component. In other words, keep your cable tidy, clean and dry to ensure the maximum lifespan of your EV charging equipment.