Apartment building plug in

[Hopevee]

I am hesitant to get an electric car at this point because I have no place to plug in at my apartment building. Does anyone have any suggestions.

[ssj4vegita2002]

The apartment has no outdoor outlets at all? Even for landscapers, etc?

[Hollywoods]

Can't you just run an extension cord from your apartment to outside? I have a condo and that's what I'm going to do.

[ChrisC]

It's possible, but there are some gotchas. See the "use of an extension cord while charging" section of the FAQ, linked below.

[Hollywoods]

How long is the cord that comes with the volt?

[Mark Z]

The cord you plug into the wall is only about one foot long, and most of that is in the plastic back of the charger. GM is specific about not using an extension, but if you insist then it must be an outdoor 3 conductor 12 or 14 gauge connected to a GFCI 15 amp 120 volt outlet. Outlet quality is critical, it cannot be worn out. I have successfully used a 25 foot 14 gauge extension with no problems. GM wants you to examine the charger power cord and AC outlet plug while charging and feel if it it's too warm. Too hot to touch means something is wrong so disconnect and read the Owner Manual for advice.

The charge cable attached to the charger may be about 18 feet long. I don't have an exact measurement.

[Hollywoods]

Has anyone on here purchased a volt that does not have a garage? If so, have you had any issues charging it outside at all with the elements? Also, for those of you who live in apartments/condos has anyone gave you trouble about having your cord running outside?

[LGA]

Mine is parked outside all the time, and I am using the 240v charger. No problems.

[Hollywoods]

Mine is parked outside all the time, and I am using the 240v charger. No problems.

Do you live in an condo or apartment? They let you install the 240v outside, very cool. I'm worried that my condo association will bulk at a cord running from my car to door...

[Marty]

Has anyone on here purchased a volt that does not have a garage? If so, have you had any issues charging it outside at all with the elements?

The Voltec and to the best of my knowledge most other level 2 EVSE is rated NEMA 3R. From the NEMA FAQ:

Type 3R - Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt, rain, sleet, and snow; and that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.

Suitable for "a degree" of protection against rain, etc. and undamaged by ice. In a carport should be fine. I wouldn't recommend mounting a NEMA 3R unit on a post exposed to the elements, although it will probably survive. The post-mounted Clipper Creek, etc. units are a lot beefier and priced to match.

Airton has a picture of a nice little doghouse-style roof he built for his, I would recommend something like this if it's on an unprotected outside wall. Mine is under an eave, mounted fairly high on the wall. We had a fairly aggressive rainstorm with quite a bit of wind and it got some light splashes, no issues. Picture here.