Should I unplug my EV charger when not in use? [Let’s make it clear!]

There are two facets to this question. One is whether you should unplug EV charger from your car when it’s not charging. And another is whether you should unplug EV charger from the power source when not in use. 

I understand your confusion and considering safety and other aspects here I will make it clear to the last mile.

So let’s look at both one by one.

Unplugging EV charger from Electric Vehicle

This is a valid question of yours and let me make it clear that it is totally OK if you don’t unplug the charger from your EV when it is not charging. 

It won’t cause any damage to your EV. Or it won’t overcharge the battery either. 

Because the Battery Management System, as a security measure, won’t let the electricity flow to the battery to further charge it once charging is complete.

In fact, if it remains plugged in then it is good for your EV’s battery. Then BMS actually works for a better health of your EV’s battery.

Because Electric Vehicle’s high voltage battery maintains good health if it remains in a warm temperature. And when you leave your charger plugged in, it will draw the energy as and when required automatically to maintain sufficient temperature in the battery.

Plus, it will also cope with the vampire drains when your EV is not in use. 

Vampire drain uses the battery all the time. It includes any app integration, and security functions like enabled sentry mode, which makes the car’s system awake when it is sitting idle. Also, EVs lose it’s battery charge level even in idle conditions without any other functions active by around 1% daily. 

So if you let EV charger plugged in to your car. as a result, it will help to maintain the State of Charge of the battery steady, so when you are about to hit the road you won’t disappoint, the battery will always be juicy whenever you need it.

And it will maintain good battery health by maintaining a sufficient warm temperature.

So is it clear now?

Let me also clarify that it is also totally OK if you remove the charger from the car when it is not actively charging. 

Maybe you need to remove it because it’s coming in the way or you want to charge another EV. 

So both are OK. As far as car’s and charger’s safety is concerned.

Just the thing is, if the charger is left plugged in to EV, it has some other benefits. But there’s no damage. 

Also if you unplug it and only plug it in back when you want to charge your EV, that’s also totally fine. 

So it’s OK to do any of the either whatever is convenient for you at the moment.

I hope you are now clear on this thing.

Now let’s look at another facet of this question.

Unplugging EV charger from Wall Outlet

Now this question is relevant only if you are using a Plug-in EV charger. Where it remains plugged-in to wall outlet (power source) in order to charge your EV. If you’re using hardwired EV charger then anyway this question is not relevant, there’s no question of unplugging it from power source.

Now if you’re asking about whether you should unplug EV charger from the wall outlet if you’re using Plug-in EV charger when not in use, 

Then I will say, let it remain plugged into power source, even when it is not in use. 

The thing is there’s no issue again in unplugging EV charger from wall outlet when needed. 

But power plugs and wall outlets are not designed to withstand too frequent plugging and unplugging. 

If you do it all the time when it’s not in use then the power plug and wall outlet will wear out. 

Once it gets significant wear then it will loosen the necessary grip and it will become prone to catching heat and may burn out the wall outlet or power cable. Further, it may also cause damage to the electrical system or EV charger itself. 

So if it wears out then it will become unable to withstand such high power flow for EV charging. 

Now whenever you notice such a thing then immediately you should replace the wall outlet or power cable whichever is damaged. 

And avoid using such damaged wall outlet or power cable for such high power usage like EV charging.

So unless you need to do something with your EV charger which requires you to separate it from power source then it’s ok to unplug it. 

In that case, there are no issues with unplugging. 

But avoid doing it frequently. 

Conclusion

So now I hope you are clear about your doubt on whether you should unplug your EV charger from wall outlet. OR whether you should unplug it from your EV – when it’s ok to unplug it or let it remain plugged in with all its good and bad.

Let me know in the comments if you still have any doubts.

Then see you in the next article!