There are several ways to deal with a charging cable that won’t unplug from your EV.
- Unlock your EV
The first thing to try is unlocking your electric car with your key fob or smartphone. This trick usually works since the number one reason EV cables get stuck is because the vehicle itself needs to be unlocked before the cable can be physically released.
- Contact your car provider/the charging station owner
If unlocking your vehicle doesn’t make the cable detach, and you are charging at a public charging station, try contacting your EV charging provider. Most charging stations clearly post a toll-free customer service number. Be sure to tell someone working at the station about the problem, too. Even if they can’t provide an easy fix, it’s essential for the charging company to know that there was a problem with their equipment.
- Check your owner’s manual
Should the above-mentioned fixes fail, turn to your owner’s handbook for advice. Most EV chargers come with a manual override system. For instance, Tesla EV chargers can be detached with a small grab loop hidden in the trunk. The exact location of the release latch is explained in the owner’s manual.
- Emergency roadside assistance
As a last resort, call for emergency roadside assistance. If you belong to AAA, call them and explain the problem. If your vehicle is equipped with OnStar service, you can use that to call for immediate help. Either way, you will have a tow truck driver or a mechanic with you, just in case something goes wrong as you’re trying to remove a stuck charging cable.