EV plug-in indicator
An information light that shows a charging cable is plugged into the car. Nissan calls it the plug-in indicator light; Hyundai calls it the charging connector indicator light and Kia the charging indicator light.
How to read it
Nissan’s 2020 LEAF manual says the plug-in indicator light illuminates when the charge connector is connected to the vehicle and blinks during charging. Hyundai’s 2023 Ioniq 5 manual says a green light shows the connection status of the charging connector and stays on for about a minute after the connector goes in. Kia’s guide to its electric-car lights says its charging indicator turns on when the charging connector is properly connected to charge the high-voltage battery, and draws it as a plug on a cable.
Also searched as: charging cable connected light.
Dashboard symbols vary by manufacturer. The vehicle's owner's manual or a qualified mechanic can say what a light means for a particular vehicle.
Why the car won’t drive while it’s plugged in
Nissan’s manual says that while the charge connector is connected, the power switch cannot be put in the READY to drive position, so the EV ready indicator stays off. Toyota’s 2024 RAV4 Prime manual says the hybrid system will not start while the AC charging cable is attached, and that plugging the cable in while the “READY” indicator is on stops the hybrid system so the car cannot be driven.
Look-alikes
Some cars show charging on a light outside the instrument cluster. Chevrolet’s 2022 Bolt EUV has a charging status indicator at the centre of the instrument panel near the windshield; when the car is plugged in and switched off, a solid green light there means the battery is fully charged.
More dashboard warning lights
Browse symbols drawn with curves and waves, lines or squares and rectangles.
Sources
- 2020 Nissan LEAF Owner's Manual, Nissan North America, Instruments and controls: Plug-in indicator light, p. 2-22
- 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Owner’s Manual, Hyundai Motor America (MyHyundai), Charging connector Indicator Light, p. 1-67
- Understanding the Warning Lights and Indicators in Electric Vehicles, Kia Quick Tips, Kia Corporation (Kia Aruba), 03 Charging indicator light
- 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime Owner’s Manual, OM42F73U, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Things to know before charging: Safety functions
- 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV Owner’s Manual, Chevrolet (General Motors), Driving and Operating: Charging Status Feedback, p. 233
Last reviewed September 30, 2026 by Rory Hansen. How we research