EVject Introduces Improved EV Charging Connector
EVject (American Fork, Utah) has released an updated version of its breakaway EV charging connector that solves the problem of EV drivers being "sitting ducks" while their EV is charging.
Tech News
As electric vehicle (EV) adoption continues to rise, so do unique security concerns for drivers, particularly at EV charging stations. With around 30% of U.S. crimes occurring in parking areas, EV drivers are at higher risk because, unlike gas-powered vehicles, they can’t simply “drive off” in an emergency while charging. When plugged in, EVs are essentially locked in place, leaving drivers vulnerable. In many cases, EV charging stations are located in underground parking lots or in remote areas with poor visibility and lighting, potentially attracting opportunistic criminals. Frequently, EV drivers will sit in their cars glued to their phones while charging unaware of potential criminals who may be aware of their vulnerability when their car, while charging, is immobilized.
Recognizing this danger, Utah-based co-founders Amanda Richards and Kreg Peeler developed EVject—a breakaway charging connector that enables EV drivers to disconnect and drive away quickly without having to step outside their vehicles.
What began as a solution to an alarming personal experience quickly gained traction, achieving over $250,000 in sales in the first four months alone. With strong initial feedback, Richards and Peeler recently introduced a new, improved EVject model compatible with all EVs—not just Teslas. Richards and Peeler are currently offering a promotional pre-order deal: two devices for $200, giving drivers a more affordable way to enhance their safety at charging stations.
Real-World Danger
Richard’s own experience at a charging station drove home the need for EVject. After purchasing a Tesla Cybertruck, she found herself in a nerve-wracking encounter while parked alone at a remote charging station. A group of men approached her car, tapped on the window, and asked to get inside. Unable to simply drive away due to her vehicle being plugged in, Richards felt trapped. Thankfully, she had the EVject prototype installed and was able to disconnect and drive off immediately without needing to exit her Cybertruck. This harrowing close call highlighted for both Richards and Peeler the need for a product that could keep EV drivers safe in similar situations.
Other drivers have echoed this sentiment. Kiana and Myrna shared on TikTok their scary EV charging experiences. Another woman, Colleen, shared her story last year on CTV News Vancouver.
Stories like these highlight the safety risks at charging stations and the importance of solutions like EVject.
From Prototype to Production
The EVject charging connector has gained widespread attention after a feature on Now You Know, a popular YouTube channel covering EV news. “After that first video in April of 2023 we got hundreds of pre-orders, and then they posted again, and we got another several hundred,” recalled Peeler. “Over the course of two months, we had over 1,000 pre-orders for our product.” By August, pre-orders reached 3,000. Although they initially hoped a third-party manufacturer would handle production, Richards and Peeler soon realized they would need to manage production in-house to keep up with demand.
“So, we spun up our manufacturing right there in our house. We ran a little assembly plant and built thousands of those adapters,” Peeler shared. By December, they had completed the first batch, then ramped up with a larger manufacturing partner. Today, EVject has a production capacity of 30,000 units per month, an impressive leap driven by the rapid increase in demand.
Tesla’s Lawsuit and the EV Community’s Support
EVject’s growth, however, attracted an unexpected challenge: a lawsuit from Tesla issued last July. Tesla accused EVject of infringing on trademarks and claimed that their devices overheated. “They basically tried to shut down every other adapter or EV accessory company that was building adapters for their superchargers,” explained Peeler. “They trumped up some charges, saying we were infringing on their trademark, which was not accurate. All of our attorneys proved that those were frivolous claims.” Tesla tested the EVject devices by cranking up the amperage and disabling thermal protections to make them overheat, but Peeler clarified, “Our product does not get hot when charging.”
The lawsuit didn’t go unnoticed by Tesla’s own community. “Tesla owners worldwide were speaking up and saying, ‘We need the EVject. We believe in this product,’” shared Peeler. Even Elon Musk responded to Kreg’s post on X, prompting Tesla’s legal team to engage with EVject. Ultimately, Tesla dropped the lawsuit in September after EVject agreed to offer an upgrade option with a thermal sensor for added peace of mind.
Attention from Major Industry Players
Ironically, the Tesla lawsuit brought even more visibility to EVject, according to Peeler. “Volkswagen, Mercedes, and Hyundai and a dozen other companies all saw the lawsuit and reached out to us,” said Peeler. For these companies, EVject represents a way to address liability and safety concerns for their EV drivers, which are becoming a larger part of the market every year.
The pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca is exploring how EVject can protect its 6,000 EV-driving reps who rely on company-provided cars. “If it’s your work car, and you plug into supercharge and get assaulted, the employer would be liable,” Kreg pointed out. The Peelers are also in talks with rental companies, which see EVject as an ideal safety addition for customers who may be unfamiliar with the risks of EV charging stations.
“Don’t Be a Sitting Duck”
EVject addresses a critical gap for EV drivers, empowering them to disconnect and escape from potentially dangerous situations without leaving their vehicles. To raise awareness, Richards and Peeler launched the “Don’t Be a Sitting Duck” campaign, distributing rubber duck keychains at events as a “lighthearted reminder of a serious issue.” Despite a team of just four full-time employees, EVject has garnered major industry interest and enthusiastic community support, from Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz to individual Tesla owners worldwide.
“The community rallied behind us,” stated Kreg. “These are the most loyal Tesla fans you’ll find, and they turned on Tesla, saying, ‘We believe in this product, and we need it.’” As EV technology and adoption continue to expand, EVject stands out as a vital innovation that addresses a crucial blind spot in EV charging. Amanda Richards and Kreg Peeler’s product is setting new standards for driver protection, offering peace of mind for EV drivers and a practical solution to a serious safety concern.
For more information about EVject's breakaway charging connector click here.
See previous TechBuzz coverage of EVject.
See below for discussion and demonstration of the EVject Connector on State of Charge YouTube Channel. The video recounts an actual crime scenario that took place in Canada of a car blocking a Tesla while its occupants attempted to kidnap the driver. Kreg Peeler set up a recreation of the scary scenario. Equipped with a breakaway EVject connector, the Tesla driver did not need to exit the car to manually remove the charger, but rather was able to simply drive away, pushing the offending car out of the way, thanks to the Tesla's powerful torque.