Can you extend an EV charging cable?

Are you wondering if extending your EV charging cable is possible? The answer to this question has long been a resonding NO. That is untill Voldt's R&D department developed the technology to do just this. At the moment Voldt is the only brand to supply a fully functional type 2 extension cable!

Extending EV charging cables

For years, extending an EV Type 2 charging cable was considered impractical, if not impossible, due to technical challenges and regulatory constraints. The core issue lay in maintaining safe and reliable electrical connections while preserving the advanced communication protocols between the vehicle and the charging station, essential for functions like power delivery management and fault detection. Many industry attempts failed due to signal degradation, power loss, or inability to meet stringent safety standards. However, Voldt has overcome these barriers with the development of the first fully functional Type 2 extension charging cable. Drawing on advanced engineering and innovative materials, our solution not only ensures seamless communication between the charger and EV but also adheres to global safety and performance standards. This breakthrough represents a significant milestone in EV charging, enhancing convenience for users and enabling more flexible charging setups in a variety of locations.

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So which charging solutions can you also extend?

Mobile charging cables to 220-230V outlet (schuko), and mobile charging cables to power CEE outlets you can extend just fine. However, there are some important safety considerations to keep in mind:

Make sure the extension cable is grounded.
Make sure the extension cable is waterproof. Chances are that the plugs will be outside, so make sure the extension cable has a good IP rating.
Make sure to use a well-veined extension cable with sufficient thickness to avoid extreme heat generation and fire hazards. A charging cable up to 16A requires a thickness of 2.5mm² and a charging cable up to 32A requires conductors of 6mm².
Make sure you have a well-insulated cable that is sturdy and flexible to properly protect the wires in the cable.

Still, it is advisable to avoid extending an EV charging cable as much as possible and also connect a mobile charging cable directly to the wall socket. At Voldt you can find mobile charging cables up to as much as 15 meters!

Conclusion

With the growth of the electric vehicle market, the need for an efficient and safe charging method has become increasingly important. For safety reasons, it is not recommended to extend a charging cable. With a type 1, type 2 or type 3 charging cable, it is not even possible. If you do need more length, purchase a longer charging cable of up to 30 meters. A mobile charging cable to normal socket or power current (CEE) is certainly possible. However, this is not without risk and it is recommended to use only cables of the highest quality. But even with mobile charging cables, we recommend connecting directly to the wall outlet if at all possible.