Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles come with their own set of quirks, one of the more infamous being the notorious drive-off with a fuel nozzle still attached. This poses a significant hazard because the nozzle, perpendicular to the car’s motion, is not designed to simply slide out without consequence. What once was a high-risk action with the potential to ignite fuel pumps has been somewhat mitigated with the introduction of breakaway hoses, yet it remains a dicey situation.
The Potential Outcomes of Driving Away with a Fuel Nozzle
On the lighter side of things, driving away might only mean dealing with an emergency nozzle release and handing it back to the station attendant. Other times, the consequences can be much more severe, including damage to your vehicle, injury from a whipping hose, or in drastic situations, igniting a fire at the gas station.
The EV Advantage: No Nozzles, No Problem
Electric Vehicles (EVs) sidestep this predicament with an intelligent design feature: they typically prohibit shifting into gear when plugged in for charging. This preventive measure ensures you won’t see an EV inadvertently toting a charging cable down the road, eliminating the risk of high-voltage hazards related to a broken charging cable.
The Hypothetical: What If EVs Could Drive Off while Charging?
Despite the theoretical question, most are aware that vehicles like the Rivian won’t allow for such an oversight at the charging station. However, there’s always someone willing to believe or fall for a clever ruse – that an EV could drive off with its charging plug intact.
An Unusual Collectible Quest on eBay
In search of one of these charging cables, one might ironically venture onto eBay – a marketplace known for its array of oddities, from celebrity memorabilia to nostalgic trinkets. Surprisingly, amidst the digital treasure trove, one can find items like an authentic Supercharger cable, miraculously spared from misadventure and misuse.
The Prank Potential with a Supercharger Cable
For the prankster with a penchant for automotive humor, a used Supercharger cable fetching around $89 could be the cornerstone of an elaborate joke. Those lacking a Tesla might consider an adapter to sell the illusion, or engage in the inadvisable act of creating a DIY solution (which is absolutely not endorsed for safety and legal reasons).
Turning the Prank Up a Notch
To escalate the gag, investing in the shell of a Supercharger for $1300 and attaching the cable could create the ultimate visual for the prank. However, the price of the prank, coupled with potential misunderstandings leading to law enforcement involvement or panic, makes this more of a creative thought experiment than a recommendation for practical joking.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while ICE vehicles have their ‘pump-and-nozzle’ pitfalls, EVs are engineered to avoid such scenarios, prioritizing safety by disallowing drive-offs during charging sessions. And while the idea of driving off with a Supercharger cable has its comedic appeal in hypotheticals and pranks, it’s advised to enjoy the humor without attempting to turn it into reality.
