EV charging connector

A Common Question Among EV Drivers If you’ve recently switched to an electric vehicle (EV), you’ve probably asked yourself: Can I use my car while it’s charging? Many EV owners wonder whether it’s safe to turn on the air conditioning, listen to music, or sit inside the car while it’s plugged in. Others even ask if the vehicle can be driven during charging.   The short answer is yes, you can usually turn on your EV systems while charging — but no, you cannot drive it.Let’s explore why that’s the case, what happens during charging, and how to do it safely.     What Happens When Your EV Is Charging When an EV is plugged in, the battery management system (BMS) takes control. It regulates voltage, current, and temperature to make sure energy flows safely from the charger to the battery pack. At the same time, most EVs automatically lock the drive system, preventing the car from moving until charging stops. There are three main charging levels: Level 1 (standard home outlet) – slow, overnight charging. Level 2 (dedicated AC charger) – faster, typical for home or workplace. DC fast charging – very high power, found at public stations.   Each level has built-in communication between the charger and the vehicle to manage power safely.     What You Can — and Can’t — Do While Charging “Using your car” can mean different things. You can’t drive it, but you can still use many of its systems while it’s plugged in. ✅ You can safely: Turn on the infotainment system to listen to music or check settings. Use climate control to pre-cool or pre-heat the cabin (a common EV feature). Turn on interior lights or charge small devices through USB ports. Monitor charging progress on the dashboard or mobile app.   You cannot: Shift into Drive or Reverse. Move the vehicle (most cars are locked in Park). Engage the motor or regenerative braking systems.   Modern EVs are designed this way for a reason. When you turn the car on during charging, the vehicle simply uses grid power or battery power for limited systems while maintaining a safe charging current.     Is It Safe to Keep the Car On While Charging? Generally, yes — as long as you’re using certified equipment and good-quality cables.Safety risks usually arise when the cable, connector, or charger is substandard or damaged. Potential risks include: Overheating due to poor cable insulation. Current surges when high-power systems (like heaters) are used simultaneously. Reduced charging efficiency if energy is drawn to run accessories.     Home vs. Public Charging Scenarios Your charging environment also affects what you can do while the car is plugged in.   At Home Power levels are usually lower (16–32 A), making it safe to sit inside the car with systems like air conditioning or seat heating turned on. Because the current is steady, using minor accessories won’t noticeably affect charging time. A wall-mounted charger, such as those compatible with Workersbee’s Level 2 charging cables, offers reliable overnight charging with built-in safety features.   At Public Fast Chargers Power output is much higher (up to 350 kW). Some vehicles automatically disable most onboard systems for safety. It’s recommended not to stay inside the car for long or use high-load features.   Using properly certified public chargers and cables ensures safe operation in both environments.     Can You Drive and Charge at the Same Time? This question often comes up — and the answer is no, at least not yet.Physically, a car plugged into a stationary power source cannot move safely. The connectors are designed to lock in place and instantly cut power if unplugged.   However, new technology known as dynamic wireless charging (or in-motion charging) is being tested in parts of Europe and Asia. These systems use embedded coils under road surfaces to transfer energy wirelessly to the vehicle as it drives.     Best Practices for Safe and Efficient Charging To keep both your car and your charger in top condition, follow these simple best practices: Use certified cables and connectors — look for CE, UL, or TUV marks. Avoid running unnecessary systems (like high-heat seat warmers) while charging. Check your cable and plug temperature occasionally. Ensure good ventilation, especially in enclosed garages. Follow your manufacturer’s charging guide to maintain battery health.     FAQ Can I use the AC or heater while charging my EV?Yes. Most EVs allow pre-conditioning while plugged in, drawing power directly from the grid instead of the battery.   Does using the car slow down charging?Slightly — using major systems can divert small amounts of energy, but it’s negligible with Level 2 or higher chargers.   Is it safe to sit inside the car during charging?Yes, as long as you’re using certified equipment and the area is well-ventilated.   Can I drive while charging?No. Once charging starts, the drive system is locked for safety.     Safe to Use — With the Right Equipment So, can you use your electric car while charging?Absolutely — as long as you understand the limits. You can safely operate onboard systems such as air conditioning or infotainment, but never drive or move the car during charging.   Safety always depends on equipment quality. Using certified, high-grade connectors and chargers, like those designed by Workersbee, ensures optimal performance and peace of mind.     Learn More About Smart and Safe Charging Charging safely starts with the right technology.If you’d like to learn more about reliable EV charging solutions, explore Workersbee’s range of certified chargers, cables, and connectors — engineered to meet international safety standards and support both home and commercial charging needs.   With innovation rooted in quality and safety, Workersbee helps every EV driver charge smarter, safer, and faster.

According to the latest market data, China has overtaken Japan as the largest car export country. Although fuel vehicles still dominate among them, as countries continue to make decarbonization efforts, electric vehicles must be the future. With China's strong battery R&D and production capabilities, its exports of EVs will occupy an increasing share. In addition to the continuous increase in the share of GB/T EVs in China's local market, they are also popular in the Middle East and CIS countries.   The sales of electric vehicles will inevitably lead to the popularization of charging facilities of corresponding standards. GB/T DC charging is an effective means of quickly replenishing energy in public places. Its continuous upgrading and innovation play a vital role in promoting the development of EVs and the construction of a decarbonized society.   As a constantly innovative charging solution provider, Workersbee always adheres to user-centeredness. We believe that the charging experience of electric cars directly affects consumer satisfaction and even the adoption of EVs due to word-of-mouth communication.   As the first supplier to step into the wave of R&D and production of GB/T charging plugs, ours have now developed to the fourth generation.   According to the feedback we collected from customers, although our charging performance is satisfactory, sometimes there will be problems with the connector unlocking failing and can't unplug smoothly.  Engineers and marketers collected customer cases and further analyzed that it may be due to improper charging operation, the excessive weight of the DC cable, or the connector being dropped and damaged, causing the electronic lock inside the plug to malfunction.   This not only brings a poor charging experience to drivers but also increases the operating costs of charging stations. This means that the entire charging cable may need to be replaced, although the damage may only be to an electronic lock.     The engineering design team quickly responded to this and determined the upgrade direction of the GB/T DC connector: · Increase the locking strength of the lock hook, enhance compatibility with models on the market, and avoid failure to connect to the car due to improper operation. · Improve the stability of the electronic lock through structural adjustment, improve the stall strength of the electronic lock, ensure the safe and smooth start and end of the charging process,  and enhance the operational efficiency of the charging station. · Adjust the cable design to solve the problem of electromagnetic interference caused by individual chargers to micro-motion sensors and electronic lock signals when energized. · Further downsize the size of the electronic lock S switch, improve accuracy, and more efficient process control. · Optimize the structural design and adopt a quick-change structural design for electronic locks that are used frequently. Extend the service life of connectors, reduce customers' production and operating costs, and increase profits.   Finally, after multiple rounds of calculations, design changes, structural adjustments, and sample production testing, our product team fulfilled their promise.   The locking strength of the lock hook is increased, effectively reducing instability during the connection process and improving the firmness of the lock. The stall strength of the electronic lock is doubled, which increases the radial force on the rotating shaft and avoids error feedback on the electronic lock locking state under general external forces.   The internal cable shielding, previously dispersed with only four individual shields, has been optimized for greater efficiency and strength with a centralized shielding arrangement of three groups. This minimizes the potential for interference connectors caused by EMC overcutting chargers, enhancing compatibility with DC chargers in the market.   Moreover, a clever addition of pin insertion design on the electronic lock has transformed it into a quick-change structure that can be completed in just five steps.   It has perfectly passed a series of rigorous tests on the stability and durability of the connector electronic lock, including the electronic lock stall strength test, the life test under no-load and stall conditions, the lock rod stress test, and the lock hook stress. Finally bringing this delightful product to market.     Returning to the charging experience, Workersbee’s GB/T DC connector has achieved a continuous current output of 250A air-cooled and 600A liquid-cooled. The protection level achieves a high level of waterproof and dustproof IP 67, ensuring the safety and reliability of the charger. The connector handle is comfortable to hold and the force point is ergonomically designed. Even heavy DC cables can be plugged and unplugged with one hand.   We believe that the upgrade in the details, the electronic lock, will bring a more enjoyable charging experience for electric vehicle owners during fast charging. The connection with the vehicle is more stable, significantly reducing the chances of unlocking malfunctions, and ensuring safer, more reliable, and easier operations. This upgrade also greatly reduces the construction and operating costs of charging stations, enhancing driver satisfaction. The quick-change design for easily damageable components further lowers maintenance costs. The upgrade history of Workersbee's GB/T DC connectors for several generations has always been user-centered, pursuing details and insisting on innovation. With our keen market sense, cutting-edge R&D technology, and strong production strength, we are confident in collaboratively constructing an electrified future that satisfies consumers with all our outstanding partners.