How to Charge a Hybrid Car

As the hybrid vehicle segment becomes more accessible to a wider range of drivers in the Bloomington area, everyone from daily commuters to occasional drivers have a growing interest in trading in their standard gas-powered car in favor of green technology. Still, some drivers remain apprehensive about the potential changes a hybrid will bring to their driving habits, especially when it comes to charging a hybrid car battery. How to charge a hybrid car will depend on whether it’s a traditional hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or full-electric vehicle. Suburban Chevrolet has information on all three in the guide below! 

Charging a Hybrid Car Battery: Hybrid vs. Plug-in Hybrid vs. Electric

If you’re a Minnetonka driver wondering how to charge a hybrid car battery, you’re not alone! The answer depends on the type of hybrid you’re looking for: a standard hybrid, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), or an electric vehicle (EV). Knowing the difference between them can help you determine which type of hybrid is the best fit for your lifestyle:

• Standard Hybrids: If you remember when hybrids first started becoming popular, this is the type of car you’re thinking of. Standard hybrid cars use an electric motor in conjunction with an internal combustion engine. Charging a hybrid car battery in a standard hybrid is simple and requires no change to your daily routine: the battery self-charges as you drive around Eden Prairie!
• Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles: The PHEV segment has seen immense growth in recent years. Like the standard hybrid, it uses both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. Unlike a standard hybrid, however, a PHEV can run solely on electric power for a certain number of miles (known as the electric range). This also means that a PHEV cannot self-charge; you will need to plug it into an external power source at a public charging station, a 120-volt household outlet, or a fast-charging home station. 
• Electric Vehicle: EVs technically stand on their own in a separate segment than hybrids and PHEVs. They have no gas engine, only an electric motor. Similar to a PHEV, an EV must be plugged into an external power source to charge the battery. 

How to Charge a Plug-In Hybrid Car Battery: Three Methods

Many Hopkins drivers gravitate toward the PHEV segment because it allows them to save money when running errands around town by driving on full electric power, but they still have the option of a gas engine when going on long road trips. Charging a plug-in hybrid car battery can be achieved with three methods:

• Portable charging: Your PHEV will come standard-equipped with a portable charging cord, which should be compatible with any household-style 120-volt outlet. These are convenient in an emergency, but the catch is that they charge at a slow rate. 
• Home fast charging: You can also opt to have a 240-volt fast charging station installed in your garage for convenient home charging. This will come at an added cost but is typically worth the investment because you can recharge at a much faster rate without leaving home. 
• Public charging: There are also public charging stations where you can stop to charge your PHEV whenever you need to. Public charging stations aren’t yet as common as gas stations, but their numbers are growing at a steady rate. 

Find the Hybrid or PHEV for You at Suburban Chevrolet! 

If you’re interested in the Chevrolet hybrid lineup, visit Suburban Chevrolet or contact us for more information. We make it easy to access the future of automotive technology with an expert team who can provide everything you need to know about hybrids, PHEVs, and EVs, so you can make a wise decision for your driving habits and lifestyle.