How do you charge a hybrid vehicle

By Bumblebee Batteries

If you’re the proud owner of a new hybrid vehicle, you may still be getting a grip on how it runs. There’s a lot to learn, which is why there’s no doubt that you have a lot of questions. One of them might be about your vehicle’s batteries and how they charge. The simple answer is that the hybrid battery is charged through a process called regenerative braking. If you want to dig a little bit deeper on what that means for you and your driving habits, you’ve come to the right place.

How Regenerative Braking Works for a Hybrid Vehicle

Essentially, the engine of your hybrid vehicle works like a power generator. It is continually being recharged through regenerative braking, which is the process that occurs when the kinetic energy of your moving vehicle is converted back to stored energy upon you braking and bringing the car to a stop. This process of recharging is what contributes to your hybrid’s exceptional fuel economy.

So, Does Idling a Hybrid Car Charge the Battery?

Given that your hybrid car is being charged as you hit the brakes, you might wonder if that means it’s also charging when idle. Unfortunately this is not the case, as the regenerative braking process is taking place as the vehicle slows. The process relies on kinetic energy that can be converted into stored energy, and once you’ve come to a full stop, there’s no more kinetic energy. So, while the car is idle, it’s not exactly charging. However, it’s also not consuming any of the charge either, as the motor of a typical hybrid vehicle disengages when it’s no longer running.

Need a Hybrid Battery Replacement?

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One of the most common questions we get about hybrid vehicles is whether or not they need to be plugged in. For nearly all hybrids, the answer is a definite “no.” Hybrids, including popular models from Honda, Hyundai, Kia, and Toyota, never need to be plugged in. Despite what their name might suggest, even plug-in hybrid vehicles can be driven without plugging them in first.

However, when Consumer Reports asked about this in a nationally representative survey (PDF) of 2,519 U.S. adults in September 2022, 37 percent said that hybrid vehicles need to be plugged in and charged in order to run. Less than half, 45 percent, correctly answered that they do not, and 18 percent told us they were unsure.

These numbers reveal a knowledge gap regarding this increasingly popular type of car and suggest that most people still have questions about hybrid vehicles. That’s why CR’s automotive experts are here to answer them.

Hybrids combine a battery pack, an electric motor, and a gas engine. The gas engine or the electric motor alone can drive the wheels, or they can work in unison. The electric motor gets energy from the hybrid battery, and can power the car at low speeds allowing the gas engine to shut off. The gas engine kicks in for higher speeds, climbing hills, or when recharging the battery. Hybrid vehicles also feature regenerative braking, which uses the car’s momentum as it slows down or coasts to create extra electricity.

“Hybrids are so fuel-efficient because they utilize energy that would otherwise be wasted,” says Jake Fisher, senior director of CR’s Auto Test Center. “When you press the brake pedal, much of the energy that would have been converted to heat through the brake pads instead generates electricity for the electric motor.” 

One of the benefits of a hybrid over a pure electric vehicle (EV) is that a hybrid can be driven long distances, filling up at gas stations along the way. Pure EVs must be charged once the range is depleted.

Today’s plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) work in much the same way, except they add the option to recharge the hybrid battery by plugging it in at a wall outlet or charging station. This can allow PHEV owners to drive only on electric power for a short distance.

No. Plug-in hybrids can be charged to run on mostly electric power usually for the first 25 to 50 miles before they revert to regular hybrid operation, but they will still operate even if they are never plugged in. Examples include the BMW X5 xDrive45e, Ford Escape PHEV, Hyundai Tucson PHEV, and Toyota RAV4 Prime. Some even qualify for federal tax credits, unlike regular hybrid vehicles.

PHEVs are ideal for drivers who take short trips and can do most of their driving on electricity, reserving the gas engine for longer trips. PHEV owners who charge every day save money because they can avoid using the gas engine. But a PHEV doesn’t make sense for long commutes. When the short electric range is depleted, most PHEVs get fuel economy that might be worse than their equivalent regular hybrid, due to their added weight. Case in point: Our RAV4 Prime consumed 35 mpg once its first 40-mile portion of the mostly electric drive was depleted. A regular RAV4 hybrid attained 37 mpg consistently.

In some cases, if you don’t plug in a PHEV, you’ll get even worse fuel economy than a gas-only car. For example, once the BMW 330e xDrive sedan’s 20-mile electric range is exhausted, it only gets 25 mpg—3 mpg less than the conventional 330i xDrive’s EPA rating of 28 mpg. (CR has not formally tested the 330e, but we got 29 mpg overall from our 330i.)

PHEVs are a great solution for many people, but not everyone.

Hybrids rely on a battery to power the electric motor. Although they can be expensive to replace—around $7,400, according to RepairPal—CR’s reliability surveys show such replacements are rare. Many hybrid batteries last longer than 200,000 miles.

If the battery does fail, the automaker might pay for a replacement. In most states, automakers are required to warranty the batteries on any hybrid for eight years and 80,000 miles. In about 10 states, they’re required to warranty them for 10 years or 150,000 miles. This is because hybrid batteries are part of an emissions control system, and emissions-related parts often have different warranties than the rest of the vehicle.

Let’s be clear: When we’re talking about a hybrid battery, we’re not talking about starter batteries that can be purchased off-the-shelf at most auto parts stores. Most people just call these “car batteries,” they usually cost less than $250, and they last between three and five years. Many hybrids have a starter battery, in addition to the long-lasting hybrid battery that drives the electric motor.

Keith Barry

Despite my love for quirky, old European sedans like the Renault Medallion, it's my passion to help others find a safe, reliable car that still puts a smile on their face—even if they're stuck in traffic. When I'm not behind the wheel or the keyboard, you can find me exploring a new city on foot or planning my next trip.

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