What EV Accessories Should I Buy?
Whether you’re on your first electric vehicle (EV) or if you’ve had many of them, there’s nothing like accessories to make EV ownership a bit more enjoyable.
Here are some of the top EV accessories that we like.
Level 2 Home Charger
If you’re an EV owner with a garage and/or a driveway at home, a Level 2 home charger is an absolute must. It’s not only convenient, but also the most cost-effective way to charge your EV. Depending on your state or province, you can save money by charging your EV at home and by taking advantage of lower electricity rates from your local utility. Like most EV owners, you’ll likely find that 80 to 90 percent of your charging will be done at home.
The good news is that there are many home chargers to choose from. Prices can range from $350 USD to over $1,000, depending on brand, built quality, amperage, IP rating, WiFi capability, and other features.
Regardless of the EV that you own, the same recommendations apply when looking for a home charger. As with any electrical appliance, look for chargers with a good warranty, that are Energy Star certified, and built for extreme weather conditions if you’re installing outside. You will also want the charger to meet or exceed safety standards in your area.
Don’t forget to have it installed by a licensed electrical contractor with a permit if required in your area.
EV Charging Adapters
As the automotive industry moves towards the new NACS/J3400 (Tesla-style) charging standard for Level 3 DC Fast Charging, non-Tesla EV owners will need an adapter to take full advantage of all the charging network options available.
GM, Ford, Rivian, Volvo, Polestar, and Nissan currently have access to the Tesla Supercharging network, while more brands will gain access in the coming months. The type of adapter that you need largely depends on which charging port your EV supports.
For Level 3 DC charging, if your vehicle is equipped with a CHAdeMo port, like the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, your options are unfortunately extremely limited since this connector is being phased out in North America. Current CHAdeMo connectors on public chargers will likely be changed to CCS or NACS/J3400 connectors. Some companies, like A2Z, are starting to introduce CCS-to-CHAdeMo adapters but they are expensive (over $1,000) and none are currently UL certified.
If your EV is equipped with a CCS-style charging port, you’ll benefit from a NACS/J3400-to-CCS adapter. These are fairly inexpensive at under $200. Some automakers are offering them to current owners at no cost or at a discounted price, so make sure to check with your vehicle’s manufacturer first. There are also a variety of adapters available aftermarket, including ones from the Lectron and A2Z.
For Level 2 charging, if you own a Tesla model, you’ll need a J1772-to-NACS/J3400 adapter if you’re using a public Level 2 charger. They’re inexpensive, with many under $100. You just clip it onto the charger’s J1772 connection and plug it into your Tesla as usual. With some Level 2 public and home chargers equipped with a NACS/J3400 connector, non-Tesla owners will need the opposite: a NACS/J3400-to-J1772 adapter that can be purchased for under $150.
Regardless of the adapter(s) that you choose, make sure that it’s certified and supported by the automaker. This will not only ensure that your connection meets or exceeds certified requirements, but won’t also void your vehicle’s warranty.
Portable Power Station
If you’re looking for a bit more peace of mind on long road trips, want to power family camping adventures, or even help back up power at your home, a portable power station is a great accessory for EV owners.
Portable power stations are essentially “compact” batteries that can provide emergency power to your EV as well as power other small appliances. There are a variety available on the market, like the EcoFlow Delta Pro and Anker Solix F2000, that have the ability to output 120V or 240V, store up to 4kWh of power, and can provide even more capacity when coupling them together or using a portable solar panel.
Think of these as the EV equivalent of a jerry can of gasoline for a gas-powered car. On long road trips, you can take it with you to help alleviate any range anxiety when charger access is sparse. It won’t recharge your EV’s entire battery, but might give you just enough to get to the next charger in a pinch. Plus, some you can recharge using a Level 2 home or public charger. On a campsite, they can provide enough energy to power your small appliances. Although they can be fairly heavy, many come with wheels and a handle for easy transport. You can even integrate them to your home’s electrical panel to provide electricity to your home in the event of a blackout.
They can be fairly expensive at over $2,000, but when you consider peace of mind and the ability to use them for your EV, home, and other appliances, a portable power station can be a worthwhile investment.
Dual Voltage Portable Charging Cable
Unfortunately, not all automakers equip their EVs with charging cables. While Volvo, Polestar, GM, and others will provide a charging cable with the EV, other automakers like Tesla do not. You may also find that the used EV you bought doesn’t come with a charging cable.
Dual voltage portable charging cables allow you to plug into either a 120V socket or a 240V NEMA-14-50 socket to charge your EV. This is great if you don’t have access to a Level 2 home charger, can’t find a public charger on a road trip, or want to take advantage of a building’s or campsite’s power supply. It’s not the fastest way to charge your EV but will help out in a pinch or when you need to top up your battery over a longer period of time.
Even if your EV doesn’t come equipped with a portable charging cable, you can usually purchase them as an accessory from the automaker or local dealer. There are aftermarket options too. Just make sure that they’re safety certified and provide a good IP rating for different weather conditions. Many can be purchased for under $500, depending on the brand and features.
Vehicle to Load (V2L) Adapter
Your EV is not only a vehicle. With its large battery pack, it’s also a potential power source. Automakers, like Ford and GM, are starting to enable bidirectional energy capabilities for their EVs. However, those usually require specific and expensive equipment to allow your EV to power your home.
However, automakers like Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis offer a vehicle to load (V2L) adapter that can be plugged into the EV’s charging port. The V2L adapter can use the EV’s battery to deliver 120V and 3.6kW of power. That’s more than enough to power small appliances, such as coffee makers, hair dryers, and a laptop when on road trips or camping adventures. It’s also enough to power appliances, like refrigerators and small air conditioners, during short-term power outages.
Currently, in North America, the only compatible EVs are from Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. You can purchase a V2L adapter as part of the vehicle or as an accessory for under $400. Companies like Lectron and A2Z also have aftermarket V2L adapters for those vehicles for under $200. It’s important to check with the automaker to see if it’s compatible to avoid damaging your EV and voiding your vehicle’s warranty. With V2L becoming an increasingly popular topic, more automakers will likely offer this feature in their EVs.
Glass Roof Sunshade
Have you ever noticed that many new EVs have panoramic glass roofs? They’re great for letting the sunlight in and helping to warm up the cabin in the wintertime. But, sometimes, you don’t want all that light, glare, and heat when driving or when charging on a hot summer’s day. It also means that your air conditioner has to work harder, which can reduce your EV’s range.
EVs like the Tesla Model 3, Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and Chevrolet Silverado EV only offer a fixed large glass roof without a factory shade. Thankfully, there are a variety of sunshades available by the automakers and aftermarket companies for specific models. Many are constructed of lightweight mesh fabric that are easy to install and even collapse into a handy storage pouch when not in use. They still allow light into the cabin but can significantly reduce the amount of heat and glare. Some also offer opaque and reflective materials to entirely block out the sunlight. Many of these can be found for under $200, depending on your vehicle model. You can even get motorized sliding shades for some Tesla models that look like they came from the factory for under $700.
Charging Extension Cables
If you have a Level 2 charger at home, you might find that the standard charging cable length isn’t long enough for some situations. If you have to park your EV around multiple cars on your driveway, or decide to park and charge your EV beyond your home charger’s reach, an extension cable might help.
Companies like Lectron, offer Level 1 and 2 extension cables that connect directly to your home charger’s connector. Lectron’s J1772 extension cable is available for under $300 in a 20-foot or 40-foot length that supports up to 40 amps. It also has a built-in overheating protection system and is IP66 rated.
If you have a Tesla home charger or a home charger with a NACS/J3400 connector, Lectron also offers a 20-foot NACS/J3400 extension able that’s rate at 48 amps for about $300. Although it will work with Tesla Level 2 wall connectors and destination chargers, it won’t work with Tesla Level 3 Superchargers.
It's important to note that these cables should be used only in situations when cable length is needed. It’s always best to reduce the number of connections to reduce any safety risk.
Garage Door Cable Protector
If you have a Level 2 home charger installed in your garage but often park and charge outside, you might notice that the charging cable doesn’t sit right under your garage door, allowing critters into the garage and increasing wear and tear on your expensive charging cable.
For about $20, accessories like the Spigen DuraPro Cable Garage Door Pass Protector help protect your charging cable from wear and tear, while minimizing the opening around your garage door seal. For even more protection and a better seal, the $65 UNDOR Pro Protect requires a bit more to install but provides a gapless installation that keeps the critters out while protecting the charging cable.
Even if you’re not using it for your EV charging cable, these are also great for air hoses, RV cables, and extension cords that you might need to run while your garage door is closed.
Waterproof Charging Port Cover
If you live in an area with extreme weather conditions, like snow, ice, and sleet, a waterproof charging cover might just be the thing to keep the snow and ice off your EV’s charging port and cable connector.
For less than $30, there are many different brands and types of charging covers. Many easily attach to the end of the charging cable and use magnets to temporarily form a seal around your EV’s charging port. Be sure to check various styles to see if it can specifically fit and secure itself around your EV’s charging port.
These are great if you’re charging your EV overnight at home outside during the winter when there’s a blizzard or freezing rain. You can just attach it to your home charger’s port handle. They are also helpful when charging at a public charger during harsh weather.
Steering Wheel Desk Tray
Until EV charging becomes as fast as filling up a gas car, you might find it convenient to work, play, or eat in your EV while charging at a public charging station.
For under $50 there are a variety of unique trays and work desks that either attach to the bottom of your steering wheel or lie flat across the door panel and center console. They all give you a flat and sturdy work surface across your lap. They’re great for resting your laptop or tablet if you need to work. Or even serve as a table for fast food while you’re charging your EV. They’re easily collapsible and compact enough to be stored when not in use.
Conclusion: Making EV Ownership Better
With EVs becoming more popular in North America, automakers and third party companies are offering a variety of EV accessories. The right accessories and gear can make EV ownership even better, regardless of the model that you have.
