Electric vehicle cable management: Tips for tidiness

by Eric Cohen, Marketing Manager, WiTricity

Living in southern California, I’m always amazed at how many people park in their driveway and use their garage for storage. Not just storing a few boxes or a bike (or two) but jam-packed from floor to ceiling with a narrow walkway from the house door to the garage door to the driveway. Having talked to many people throughout the country, clutter doesn’t seem to be an isolated geographical issue. After 20 years of driving by the same houses, nothing has changed! I know I’m a bit compulsive when it comes to organization but seriously, people, if you haven’t used something in 20 years, why do you still have it?

As a result of this clutter, many people park their cars not in the garage, but in the driveway or curbside. And when they have electric vehicles, they too are parked outside with cables running under garage doors or from chargers installed on the front (or side) of the house. There has to be a better solution! Electric vehicle cable management is an essential aspect that needs thoughtful consideration to streamline the charging process and ensure safety and convenience.

EV cable management

Installing an EV charger is an investment. In fact, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Energy, homes with EV chargers can sell for 1-3% higher than homes without them. So, no matter the state of your garage, it’s important to protect your EV charging cable from any type of hazards and everyday wear and tear.

Most chargers come with something you can wrap the cable around – j-hook, holster, or elbow. Use it! Don’t let the cable lie on the floor. Not only is it a trip hazard, but it could be damaged from water or a vehicle driving over it. It’s also an easy target for a hungry rodent looking for a tasty snack. These hazards become increasingly more relevant if your charger is outside. Proper EV cable management is crucial in mitigating these risks and ensuring the longevity of your charging setup.

If you get tired of continually wrapping your cable when you’re done charging, an alternative solution is a cable retractor. Cable retractors are a great storage solution that reduce wear on your charging cable. Installation is usually very simple, and most are compatible with most charging cords.

The next level in electric vehicle cable management

If you get tired of always worrying about the cable, then turn to wireless charging. No cables! Charging can be done in your garage or in your driveway by simply pulling over the charging pad and parking. Once you turn your car off, it starts charging. No need to worry about tripping over charging cords, water damaging the cable, mice chewing through the cord, or it even being cut and stolen. Better yet, you don’t even have to think about plugging in.

Now that you’ve found the best way to manage your EV charging cable, it’s a good time to start thinking about decluttering your garage. And basement. And porch. And …