Does the lightning lock the charge cord?

[JustaProGuy]

Hi I see an unlock button next to my charging port but it doesn't seem like the truck locks the charging cable from being removed? Anyone know how to lock the charging cable to prevent removal?

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[Simpso57]

I hope not, my eGolf does that and I hate it.

 

[VTbuckeye]

I hope not as well. Our chevy cars (volt and bolt) did not lock the cable. Our volvos do. One, if unlocked, will let you press the button next to the cable to release. The other requires cycling of the locks. Our clipped creek evse does not lock on any of the cars, but out smart evses from the electric company do lock. It sucks to have to unlock the already unlocked car in order to unplug. In particular because I get to the plug before getting to the door to unlock based on the garage layout.

 

[JustaProGuy]

I hope not as well. Our chevy cars (volt and bolt) did not lock the cable. Our volvos do. One, if unlocked, will let you press the button next to the cable to release. The other requires cycling of the locks. Our clipped creek evse does not lock on any of the cars, but out smart evses from the electric company do lock. It sucks to have to unlock the already unlocked car in order to unplug. In particular because I get to the plug before getting to the door to unlock based on the garage layout.

I guess I was thinking more in terms of public charging, and also was hoping that the cable would be unlocked once the vehicle is unlocked. There is no reason for the cable to remain locked if the vehicle is unlocked.

 

[Amps]

My ID.4 really enjoyed locking me to almost any kind of charging cord, DCFC, public Level 2 or home charging, without rhyme or reason. The first time it happened, at an EA 40 miles from home on a Sunday morning, I cut my way in through the carpeted emergency flap in the trunk to get to the emergency release pull cable. When I pulled the emergency release, the pull cable came out with the ring pull on it. What a mess, I had to go into Walmart and buy more tools to get it loose.

Be careful for what you wish for!

 

[JustaProGuy]

My ID.4 really enjoyed locking me to almost any kind of charging cord, DCFC, public Level 2 or home charging, without rhyme or reason. The first time it happened, at an EA 40 miles from home on a Sunday morning, I cut my way in through the carpeted emergency flap in the trunk to get to the emergency release pull cable. When I pulled the emergency release, the pull cable came out with the ring pull on it. What a mess, I had to go into Walmart and buy more tools to get it loose.

Be careful for what you wish for!

I used to work for Volkswagen on their EV programs a decade ago, that's crazy to hear of these issues on an ID4

 

[Firestop]

The Lightning only ”locks” the charger coupler during DC charging, mostly for electrical safety. The button is only to tell the truck to end a DC charging session (See attached pages from Owners Manual).

My Tesla Tap provides for (lightweigh) padlocking to both the Tesla Destinatio Charge Coupler, and to the vehicle’s charge port, to discourage theft of the adapter. No such provision on the FMC…of course where would you lock it since the electrical outlet plugs easily disconnect from the charger and most exterior wall plugs don’t have provisions to lock

From the manual for DC charging……….

 

[JustaProGuy]

The Lightning only ”locks” the charger coupler during DC charging, mostly for electrical safety. The button is only to tell the truck to end a DC charging session (See attached pages from Owners Manual).

My Tesla Tap provides for (lightweigh) padlocking to both the Tesla Destinatio Charge Coupler, and to the vehicle’s charge port, to discourage theft of the adapter. No such provision on the FMC…of course where would you lock it since the electrical outlet plugs easily disconnect from the charger and most exterior wall plugs don’t have provisions to lock

From the manual for DC charging……….

Thank you I just read that as well, hopefully no one unplugs us while charging

 

[Firestop]

Thank you I just read that as well, hopefully no one unplugs us while charging

They will have to break it off if you’re DC fast charging….and, they could get a big surprise ‍ if charging is in process. I was in a hurry the other day while at a EA fast charger and didn’t follow the manual’s instructions to end the charge session….my truck kept the EA charge coupler locked…it took me ~15 min. to get my truck to unlock the charge coupler while watching the pedestal’s 15 minute Idle Fee Grace Period countdown timer almost hit zero.

Lesson learned…..don’t get in a hurry and follow the process of first stoping the charge from truck before stopping from the DC pedestal/trying to disengage the charge coupler. I went from being fashionably late to my appointment to very late.

 

[VTbuckeye]

When using my own charge cable in public many years ago on the Volt I managed lock the evse by threading the cable through one of the locked doors and out again. It could be unplugged, but it took care of the threat of theft. If the truck can let you know that a charge session is ended prior to your expected end time/desired charge level, then public charging on a public evse could still result in an unplug, but you would know about it and do something about it.

 

[biers]

Really wish we had the option for L2 locking. Occasionally plug the mobile charger in at hotels overnight and liked the peace of mind I had with my eGolf though it was always locked.

The best option (if Ford can do this OTA) is to have 3 options. Locked with door lock, always unlocked and lock with door locks until full. The last option is great for a public charger where you don’t want to get unplugged nor do you want to be connected and locked while not charging.

 

[ryun]

Really wish we had the option for L2 locking. Occasionally plug the mobile charger in at hotels overnight and liked the peace of mind I had with my eGolf though it was always locked.

The best option (if Ford can do this OTA) is to have 3 options. Locked with door lock, always unlocked and lock with door locks until full. The last option is great for a public charger where you don’t want to get unplugged nor do you want to be connected and locked while not charging.

Surprised that ford doesn't. Those options are available on our EV6.

 

[metroshot]

If someone unplugs my DCFC in public before it gets to 90%, my app will let me know.

I will then return and literally kick the charger off the car that stole my charge.

Let them figure it out.

 

[Bigisland Guy]

Unfortunately on several occasions of driving the truck, when I use public L2 chargers I have been unplugged. So my remedy is to place a used Covid Mask around the handle and the charging door. It's worked for the last few weeks and I haven't had to respond to a text letting me know I've been unplugged.

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