Is It Safe to Charge New Energy Vehicles in the Rain?
2 Answers
When charging new energy vehicles in the rain, as long as you minimize rainwater entering the charging port or plug, there should be no significant impact. Charging Methods for New Energy Vehicles: To date, there are only two charging methods for new energy vehicles: fast charging and slow charging. Fast charging and slow charging are relative concepts. Generally, fast charging refers to high-power DC charging, and most new energy vehicles that support fast charging can reach 80% capacity in about half an hour. Slow charging, on the other hand, uses AC charging and typically takes 6 to 8 hours to complete. Charging Precautions: Allowing the battery to drop too low can easily lead to power loss in the traction battery. Prolonged power loss can severely damage the traction battery. When using an electric vehicle, it is best to practice shallow charging and discharging, and to charge frequently.
To be honest, I've asked many experienced technicians about charging new energy vehicles in the rain and tried it myself several times. The charging ports and connectors are specially designed with waterproof structures, and mainstream vehicles now have a waterproof rating of at least IP55, making it quite safe when the rain isn't particularly heavy. However, it's best to find a charging station with a canopy, as wet plugs can be slippery to handle, and stations with deep standing water should be avoided. One time when I charged in the rain at night, I discovered a useful tip: always turn off the power before unplugging the connector for extra safety. If you encounter heavy rain outdoors and need to charge urgently, finding an underground parking lot is ideal. Keeping a dry towel handy to wipe the charging port is also practical.
