Anti-contamination electric vehicle charging inlet pin cap

An electric vehicle (EV) comprising:

• an EV body;
• a traction motor configured to generate EV propulsion torque;
• an EV electrical system including a rechargeable battery configured to generate electrical current for powering the traction motor;
• and
• a charge port assembly mounted to the EV body, engaging the EV electrical system, and having:
• a charging receptacle configured to accept a female charging plug;
• and
• an electrical connector fixed to the charging receptacle and configured to be engaged by the female charging plug;
• wherein the electrical connector includes an inlet pin having an electrical contact and an inlet pin cap mounted to the electrical contact;
• and
• wherein the inlet pin cap includes a wiping element configured to slidingly engage and wipe a terminal of the female charging plug, thereby blocking contaminants on the terminal from being deposited onto the electrical contact when the female charging plug engages the electrical connector.

An electric vehicle (EV) comprising:

• an EV body;
• a traction motor configured to generate EV propulsion torque;
• an EV electrical system including a rechargeable battery configured to generate electrical current for powering the traction motor;
• and
• a charge port assembly mounted to the EV body, engaging the EV electrical system, and having:
• a charging receptacle configured to accept a female charging plug;
• and
• an electrical connector fixed to the charging receptacle and configured to be engaged by the female charging plug;
• wherein:
• the electrical connector includes an inlet pin having an electrical contact and an inlet pin cap mounted to the electrical contact;
• the inlet pin cap is pressed onto the electrical contact to thereby butt-up against and protect a leading surface of the electrical contact;
• and
• the inlet pin cap includes a wiping element configured to slidingly engage and wipe a terminal of the female charging plug, thereby blocking contaminants on the terminal from being deposited onto the electrical contact when the female charging plug engages the electrical connector.