7 Essential Accessories for Your New EV (You’ll Actually Use)
You did it. You brought home that sleek, silent piece of the future. The garage smells a little less like gasoline and a little more like progress. Congratulations, and welcome to the world of EV ownership.
After the initial thrill of instant acceleration subsides, you’ll start to notice little things. That giant, beautiful touchscreen is also a giant, beautiful fingerprint magnet. That cavernous center console has become a black hole for your sunglasses. And then you’ll ask the question that sends a shiver down the spine of many a new owner: “Wait… where’s the spare tire?”
I’ve been there. I learned that owning this new kind of car comes with a new set of needs. This isn’t a list of flashy upgrades. This is the stuff I wish I had bought on day one—the practical, problem-solving gear that makes the EV experience truly seamless.
1. The Problem: The Gorgeous Touchscreen is a Mess
That massive, brilliant screen is the centerpiece of your car, but after two days of use, it’s covered in fingerprints, dust, and smudges. Wiping it with a random cloth can cause micro-scratches on the delicate anti-glare coating.
The Solution: A Matte-Finish Screen Protector
This is the single best quality-of-life upgrade you can make for under $30. It’s a custom-fit, tempered glass screen protector, just like the one on your phone. Crucially, you want one with a matte (or anti-glare) finish. The matte texture almost completely eliminates fingerprints and dramatically reduces glare from the sun, making the screen safer and more pleasant to view while driving. Plus, it provides a hardened layer of protection against accidental scratches.
2. The Problem: Your EV Has No Spare Tire
To save weight and space, the vast majority of electric cars do not come with a spare tire. A simple flat from a nail, which would be a minor inconvenience in a gas car, can leave you stranded and waiting for a tow truck.
The Solution: The “Peace of Mind” Kit (Tire Inflator & Plug Kit)
This kit should live in your frunk or trunk permanently. It consists of a high-quality 12V Portable Tire Inflator and a simple Tire Plug Kit. If you get a slow leak, you can re-inflate the tire to get to a safe location. For most simple punctures, you can use the plug kit to permanently fix the tire yourself, right there on the spot. Look for an inflator with a digital display and auto-shutoff feature, and a can of sealant like Slime or Fix-a-Flat is a great backup. This turns a potential disaster into a 15-minute fix.
3. The Problem: Your Interior Will Get Dirty, Fast
You want your new car’s interior to look new for as long as possible. The flimsy carpet floor mats included from the factory are no match for dirt, mud, snow, or a spilled coffee.
The Solution: All-Weather, Laser-Fit Floor Liners
This is an investment in your car’s future value. Durable, rubberized liners from brands like WeatherTech or 3D MAXpider are laser-measured to fit every curve of your car’s floor perfectly. They have a raised lip that contains any and all spills, making cleanup a breeze. They completely protect your car’s original carpet from any stains or wear, which is a huge plus when it’s time to sell.
4. The Problem: Your Car is a Giant Battery, But Your Laptop is Dead
Your EV is carrying around a massive power source, but most of your devices can’t access it. This superpower is found in many modern EVs, including the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Ford F-150 Lightning.
The Solution: The Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) Adapter
This small adapter unlocks your car’s hidden superpower. It plugs into your car’s charge port and gives you one or more standard household outlets. Suddenly, you can power almost anything, anywhere. Run a laptop while camping. Inflate an air mattress. Power your lights during a blackout. It effectively turns your car into a silent, portable generator. If your car supports V2L, this accessory is a must-have.
5. The Problem: The Charging Cable is a Tangled Mess
Your EV comes with a mobile charging cable for plugging into standard outlets. This essential piece of gear often ends up in a tangled heap in your trunk, taking up space and looking untidy.
The Solution: A Mobile Charger Organizer Bag
This is a simple but brilliant quality-of-life upgrade. These are sturdy, often circular bags that allow you to coil your cable neatly inside, protecting the plug and cable from damage while keeping your storage spaces clean and organized. Every time you open your trunk and see a neat, tidy bag instead of a “cable serpent,” you’ll be glad you bought it.
6. The Problem: Your Center Console is a Black Hole
EV design often favors minimalist, open-concept interiors. This means your center console might be a single, deep bin where your phone, sunglasses, coins, and keys all tumble together into a chaotic mess.
The Solution: A Drop-In Console Organizer Tray
These are custom-molded plastic trays, often with a soft, flocked lining, that fit perfectly into the top half of your console bin. They instantly give you separate, easy-to-access compartments for your most-used items. Everything stays put, everything is easy to find, and most importantly, everything stays quiet. It’s a small price to pay for daily convenience and zen.
7. The Problem: You Need Peace of Mind at Public Chargers
When you’re at a busy public Level 2 charging station (the most common type), anyone could walk up and unplug your car mid-charge, either accidentally or maliciously.
The Solution: A J1772 Charging Lock
This is a clever, simple device that slides over the charging handle’s clip and allows you to put a small padlock on it. Because most EVs automatically lock the adapter to the car, this action effectively locks the entire handle to your car, preventing it from being removed. This provides immense peace of mind when you’re relying on public charging, especially if you plan to leave your car for a few hours.
Conclusion: Small Investments, Big Returns
Owning an electric car is a fantastic experience, and it’s even better when you’re prepared. You’ve already made the big investment in the car itself. These small, thoughtful purchases are the next logical step. They aren’t about spending more money—they’re about protecting your investment, solving the unique challenges of EV ownership, and making your daily life with your new car as seamless and enjoyable as possible.
Suhas Shrikant is the founder of Vecharged and an engineering enthusiast specializing in high-power off-grid solar systems. He has designed and built over a dozen custom systems and uses his hands-on, field-tested experience to create Vecharged’s expert guides and reviews.
Vecharged is the consumer protection and education initiative of Cleanpower.eco, an organization dedicated to providing a clear, unbiased, and authoritative voice in the clean energy transition. The experts at Cleanpower.eco recognized a critical crisis of trust: the shift to electric vehicles and solar power is one of the most important and expensive decisions a family will make. Yet, the landscape is flooded with biased reviews, confusing marketing, and paid-for endorsements. Vecharged was created to be the shield against that confusion. We were founded on a simple, non-negotiable constitution: We are radically independent. We accept no advertising, sponsorships, or paid placements from any product manufacturer. We have no commercial interest in the products we review. Our only metric for success is your empowerment. Our loyalty is to you, the consumer. Full stop. We ground our brutally honest, hands-on analysis in a deep, foundational understanding of the engineering. We are not just reviewers; we are your advocates.
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