Electric

Apr 28, 2023

It's called "ICE-ing," and sooner or later, every electric-car driver experiences it.

The term refers to a non-electric car with an internal combustion engine (or ICE) occupying a parking space where a public charging station is located.

The car is thereby blocking electric cars from recharging at that station, whether accidentally or deliberately, out of laziness or, perhaps occasionally, malice.

DON'T MISS: Been ICEd? Gas Cars Parking In Electric-Car Charging Spots (Video)

Now there's a solution to the problem, or perhaps more accurately, a workaround.

It falls into the category of ideas that evoke a response along the lines of: "DUH! Why didn't I think of that?"

JLong 20-foot J-1772 extension cable for electric-car charging

It's simply a J-1772 extension cord, suitably rated, that extends the reach of the charging cable attached to the station so that an electric car parked two or three spaces away can still recharge.

Home-made cables have been listed for sale on eBay from time to time, and there's at least one for sale commercially.

ALSO SEE: Etiquette For Electric-Car Charging: Debates Heat Up Over Who Goes First

That's the "J-Long" 40-Amp, 20-foot cable offered by Quick Charge Power for $299, with a one-year warranty.

On one end is a standard J-1772 charging head that plugs into the car; on the other end is a J-1772 receptacle into which the user plugs the head of the charging station's cable.

JLong 20-foot J-1772 extension cable for electric-car charging

Drivers of plug-in cars who frequently use public charging stations, or who often find their usual stations ICEd, may want to consider this or similar products to carry in their cars.

Note that the specs are important: A few public charging stations can deliver 32 Amps, so a 40-Amp cable may be a better solution than one rated at only 30 Amps.

MORE: Chevy Volt Charging Cord Cut: Angry Neighbor, Electric-Car Hater?

It's also worth inquiring whether a home-built connector carries a proximity wire that will prevent "hot" disconnects, and check to see whether the pins are crimped or simply soldered to their connectors.

As always, please note a couple of things.

EV parking sign, Portland OR

First, there's probably a warning in most electric-car owners manuals about not using extension cords or other unapproved equipment. So proceed at your own risk.

Second, a mention of any given product on this website is not an endorsement--and we haven't used the JLong.

Still ... what a great idea, don't you think?

[hat tip: Dean Miller]

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