How to Charge a Hybrid Car

Hybrid vehicles are becoming more popular, and now more Beckley drivers are choosing a hybrid to enhance their daily commute over a gas-powered vehicle. Shrill, many drivers are nervous about the changes that a hybrid car brings to their driving habits, such as charging a hybrid car battery. Learn how to charge a hybrid car battery with this helpful guide from the service experts at Mercedes-Benz of Charleston, and feel free to reach out to our team with questions about the benefits of choosing a Mercedes-Benz hybrid vehicle.

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

Want to know how to charge a hybrid car battery in Huntington. Learning how to charge a hybrid car battery varies depending on which type of model you’re looking to buy or lease: a standard hybrid, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), or an electric vehicle (EV). Understanding the difference helps determine which hybrid is best suited for your driving needs and lifestyle:

• Standard Hybrids: Standard hybrid models use an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. The charging process is easy and won’t change your daily routine: the battery self-charges as you’re driving around Charleston!
• Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles: The PHEV segment has seen lots of growth recently. Like the standard hybrid, it uses both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. Unlike a standard hybrid, a PHEV runs on electric power for a certain number of miles (electric range). Because of this, a PHEQ can’t self-charge, you must 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 are strong enough to stand out o their own in a separate segment than PHEVs and hybrids. They don’t have a gas engine, just an electric motor. Electric vehicles have to be plugged into an external power source to charge the battery.

How to Charge a Plug-In Hybrid Car Battery

Usually Bridgeport drivers prefer a PHEV since they can save money when running errands around town using the entire electric power, but can still use the gas engine when hitting the road for a spontaneous road trip. There are three methods to charging a plug-in hybrid car battery:

• Portable charging: Your PHEV comes standard-equipped with a portable charging cord that should be compatible with any household-style 120-volt outlet. These are convenient when a charge is needed, but they charge at a slow rate.
• Home fast charging: There’s the 240-volt fast-charging station that’s installed in your garage for convenient at-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.

Explore Hybrid and PHEV at Mercedes-Benz of Charleston!

Explore the Mercedes-Benz hybrid lineup at Mercedes-Benz of Charleston to find the vehicle that’s best for your driving needs and lifestyle. Give us a call when you’re ready to schedule your test drive.