Use a cord rated for the amps, not just the volts.

Forget what the plug looks like for a second—the wire gauge is what matters. An electric vehicle pulls a continuous, high current for hours. A standard 16-gauge extension cord will heat up, drop voltage, and could cause a fire.

You need a cord rated for at least the max amperage of your charger. Most Level 1 chargers (120V) draw 12 amps continuous, so you want a 12-gauge cord minimum—or 10-gauge if the run is over 50 feet. For Level 2 (240V), you’re likely looking at 20-40 amps. That usually means a 6-gauge or 8-gauge cord, and you should be using a dedicated EV extension cord or a heavy-duty “range” cord made for continuous load. Check the charger’s spec label; match the cord’s rating.

Connector type matters too, but it’s simpler: make sure the plug ends match your charger and outlet. If you have a NEMA 5-