Tesla Cybertruck lead engineer issues warning against use of Supercharger extension cords to avoid serious issue
A Tesla Cybertruck lead engineer has issued a warning against the use of Supercharger extension cords.
The expert has said that users should avoid using the cords otherwise they could risk encountering a serious issue.
Wes Morrill is a lead engineer for the Tesla Cybertruck and he’s offered out his advice when it comes to charging up the electric vehicle.
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According to Morrill, using North American Charging Standard (NACS) extension cords could result in safety issues so users would be wise to steer clear of them.
This comes after an electric car fanatic discussed the use of an aftermarket NACS DC extension cord, which can also be used on non-Tesla vehicles.
Using the Supercharger network, Tesla owners are able to charge their car around the world on major routes.
However, when making the most of this amenity, Morrill has warned that using an extension cord on the Supercharger or any other DC charging station is not ideal.
In fact, the engineer recalled several times where he’s seen a cable overheating as a result.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Morrill said: “Would recommend AGAINST using an extension cord on a supercharger (or any DC charging station with a liquid cooled cable). Have seen multiple instances of the cable overheated and shorting DC +/-.
“There’s a temperature measurement in the handle and the supercharger derates based on that temperature. With the extension cable that safety goes away. On top of adding an additional junction which generates heat making matters worse.”
This could also be down to the fact that the Superchargers have been specifically designed to be safe to use and any modification could risk the user experiencing a safety problem.
This isn’t the first concern over safety for the Cybertruck after users became worried that the trunk might injure somebody.
One of the cool features that Elon Musk’s car model has is a frunk - a front trunk - as it’s electric so there’s extra space under the hood where an engine would normally go, making room for an extra trunk.
Worries over safety were aired when users tested out the Cybertruck’s automatic closing to see if it would pinch their fingers if they were left in the way.
At the time, Morrill posted on X: “Frunk pinch detection is a learning algorithm which will increase the closing force each time it’s cycled back to back without successfully latching.
“Imagine there is a big bag inside the frunk it might also trigger the pinch detection. Then you might try closing it again, and again… exactly as you are doing in this video. The algorithm assumes that if you are repeatedly trying to close the frunk it’s because you, as the human in loop know better and believe it should close.”