As the school holiday season arrives, many families take the opportunity to travel out of town in their private vehicles. With the massive growth in the electric vehicle (EV) population, a significant number of people are now choosing EVs for their long-distance journeys.
During road trips, EV owners typically stop at Public Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (SPKLU)—often found at highway rest areas—to recharge their batteries. However, a common question that often puzzles EV owners is whether passengers should remain inside the cabin while charging is in progress or step out of the vehicle. Read on to find out.
Potential Safety Risks and Overheating
From a technical standpoint, experts advise passengers to exit the vehicle rather than wait inside the cabin while it is charging, particularly when using DC fast charging. The reason for this is that the electric vehicle battery charging process involves high electrical currents, which naturally generate significant heat within the battery system. Although modern electric vehicles are equipped with sophisticated thermal management systems, the risk of malfunction remains.
In countries with high EV adoption rates, such as China, there have been reported incidents of fires occurring specifically while vehicles were charging. While such cases are relatively rare—usually triggered by manufacturing defects or external factors—stepping out of the vehicle during charging is the best preventive measure to avoid fatal risks in the event of a short circuit or thermal runaway.
Running the AC Slows Down Charging
Beyond safety concerns, there is also the matter of efficiency to consider. While waiting inside the cabin, you might be tempted to keep the air conditioning (AC) running to stay cool. However, you should be aware that using the AC during the charging process significantly affects the battery's charging speed. When the AC is on, the electrical energy from the charging station is split: some goes to the battery, while the rest is immediately consumed to power the AC compressor. Consequently, your wait time at the charging station will be longer than necessary.
Waiting outside the vehicle while the electric car charges is a far safer and more efficient option. So, make sure you and your family use the charging time to rest at the facility's amenities—ensuring your holiday trip remains safe and comfortable, and that you arrive at your destination securely!
Source: kompas.otomotif
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