Can You Charge An EV In Bad Weather?

A little rain will dampen anybody’s day. But what if you need to charge an EV during this time? Charging stations are often exposed to the elements. This has caused EV drivers to question whether charging an EV in bad weather is actually safe. Some even fear the idea of trying it. 

Charging the Ev in the rain for the first time made me scared #evcharging ⚡️ #NissanLEAF

— Heidi (@QueenTatten) June 28, 2017

When in doubt, trust your gut. When your EV needs a charge, it is best to get to the closest charging station, rain or shine. The question at hand is still important. In fact, no question regarding EV usage is insignificant.  

Keep reading to understand the safety of electric charging in poor weather conditions. 

Can you charge an EV in the rain?

For some drivers, electric engineering is an enigma. Many find it impractical for daily life. Yet the switch to an electric vehicle means learning about batteries instead of gas-powered engines. It also results in electric charging versus visiting a gas station every week. 

The truth is, electric vehicles are taking over fast and charging stations are coming along with it. Between a Level 1 or Level 2 charging station, you can fuel your EV in minutes or hours depending on the level of charge needed. 

Many EV enthusiasts enjoy the convenience of charging at home, but sometimes a public charging station is the only option. This is especially true when you’re stuck in bad weather or out of town. 

So, can you really charge an EV in the rain? 

The short answer is yes. The engineering behind EV construction and outdoor charging stations have prepared this type of machinery for varying weather conditions. Find out how it works below. 

EV charging stations are engineered to handle bad weather 

The trick to understanding how charging stations can withstand foul weather is knowing the Ingress Protection Rating. This number system is widely used across technology platforms. From cell phones to televisions, IP ratings are used. 

The IP system is measured by two numbers. The first ranging from 1-6 for dust and dirt particles. The latter running from 1-8 in terms of liquid protection. The highest number of both solid and liquid scales equates to the best protection. 

For example, a vehicle with an IP 67 rating would have excellent defense against dirt particles and liquid sources, such as rain or condensation. 

Automotive leaders confirm you can charge an EV anytime

Jonathon Ratliff, the senior manager for zero emission technology development at Nissan, talked to Autotrader about recharging in poor weather. His response to the public’s concern was: 

“Absolutely, it’s safe to charge in nearly any weather condition.”

Using the Nissan Leaf as an example, Ratliff goes on to explain that with an IP 67 rating, the Leaf can withstand up to 30 minutes under water without issue. Therefore, a lot of rain will never measure to the caliber that most electric vehicles can withstand. 

Get your electric charge on 

Bad weather will not hold you back from charging. Rain or shine you can charge your electric vehicle without fear of an electrical explosion. As a matter of fact, EV enthusiasts should be thrilled to know that their electric vehicle is about as waterproof as a submarine. Can you imagine that? 

The future of EVs is clearly unstoppable. With very little concern over the types of conditions in which you can charge your EV, drivers should feel confident in making the switch from gas-powered engines to fully electric vehicles.