How Long to Charge a Hybrid Car?

When you're considering buying a hybrid car, the question often comes to mind: "How long does it take to charge?" Therefore, it is important to understand the charging time of a hybrid car, as it determines how quickly you can get back on the road after the car battery is depleted. This article will explore these factors in detail, giving you a clear understanding of some of the considerations when charging a hybrid car.

What Types of Hybrid Cars Are There?

A hybrid car is a vehicle that uses a combination of an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors. There are many types of hybrid cars available today. Here is a breakdown of the main categories:

1. Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles (MHEVs)

A mild hybrid vehicle uses a small electric motor to assist the internal combustion engine (ICE), but cannot run on electricity alone. Its electric motor provides support during acceleration, improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. Mild hybrid vehicles generally do not require external charging because the battery is charged through regenerative braking and ICE.

2. Full Hybrid Electric Vehicles (FHEVs)

Full hybrid vehicles, also known as conventional hybrid vehicles, have an ICE and an electric motor. They can run on the electric motor alone or the ICE alone, as well as a combination of the two. FHEVs do not need to be plugged in because their batteries are charged through regenerative braking and ICE.

3. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

Compared to full hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles have larger batteries that can be charged by plugging into an external power source. In addition, they can travel a certain distance on electricity alone, generally 20 to 50 miles. And when the electric range is exhausted, they can be used like full hybrid vehicles.

4. Extended-Range Electric Vehicles (EREVs)

An extended-range electric vehicle is a plug-in hybrid vehicle that runs entirely on electricity until the battery is depleted. An internal combustion engine generator produces electricity to power the electric motor.

Each hybrid vehicle offers different benefits to suit different driving needs and preferences, from improved fuel economy and reduced emissions to the flexibility of extending the electric range.

What Factors Affect Charging Time?

Charging time is a key factor for hybrid vehicles (especially plug-in hybrid vehicles, PHEVs). Knowing these factors, car owners can choose a better charging method and improve charging efficiency. The following are the factors that mainly affect charging time:

1. Battery Capacity: The size of a hybrid car's battery is a key factor in determining how long it takes to charge. Battery capacity is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). If the battery has a smaller capacity, the charging time will be shorter, while a larger battery will take longer to fully charge.
2. Charging Power: Charging speed depends in part on the power output of the charger. If the power is higher, the charging speed will be faster. Since chargers have different charging powers, the charging speeds are also different, such as Level 1 chargers only provide slow charging speeds, while fast DC chargers provide fast charging.
3. Charger Type: There are many different types of chargers. Level 1 chargers are your basic home outlet chargers, which are slow. level 2 charging stations are the chargers you often find in public places, which charge faster. Then there is DC fast charging, which is the fastest and can shorten charging time.
4. Temperature: Batteries do not work well in extreme temperatures (too cold or too hot). This will reduce the charging efficiency and make the charging time of a hybrid car longer.
5. Battery Health: Car batteries also wear out over time. Old batteries don't charge as fast as new ones because their ability to hold a charge decreases with age and use.
6. Onboard Charger: The onboard charger is your car's built-in interface for converting power from the grid into a form that the battery can store. Its maximum power intake rate limits your charging speed, especially if you're using a powerful external charger.
7. Vehicle Management Systems: Your car's management system protects the battery. When the battery is close to full charge, it slows down the charging process to prevent wear and tear, extending the battery's life.

By understanding and optimizing these factors, users can charge their electric vehicles more efficiently and quickly.

How Long Does It Take to Charge a Hybrid Car at a Charging Station?

The time it takes to charge a hybrid vehicle at a charging station depends on the type of hybrid vehicle and the type of charging equipment used. Here are typical charging times for plug-in hybrid vehicles by charger type:

1. Level 1 Charging (120 volts): Level 1 chargers use a standard household outlet. Most plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) have smaller batteries than all-electric vehicles, and charging from empty to full can take anywhere between 3 and 12 hours. For example, a PHEV with a 10 kWh battery might take about 8 hours to fully charge using Level 1 charging.
2. Level 2 Charging (240 volts): This is a faster charging option than a Level 1 charger, and is typically found at public charging stations and can also be installed at home. Level 2 chargers can fully charge a PHEV's battery much faster, taking about 1 to 4 hours. The exact time is determined by the size of the hybrid's battery and the power output of the Level 2 charger, which is generally between 3.3 kW and 7.2 kW. For example, a PHEV with a 16 kWh battery might fully charge in about 2.5 hours using a 6.6 kW Level 2 charger.
3. DC fast Charging: PHEVs are not generally used for DC fast charging due to the smaller battery size and limitations of the charging system, but DC fast charging is the fastest method. If a plug-in hybrid vehicle is capable of DC fast charging, it may be able to charge 80% in just 20 to 30 minutes. However, this feature is more common in pure electric vehicles than in hybrid vehicles.

Charging a hybrid vehicle at a charging station can take anywhere from 20 minutes to a few hours, with Level 2 charging being suitable for overnight charging at home or quick charging at a public charging station.

The Case for Popular Hybrid Vehicle Charging

Let’s look at how long it takes to fully charge four popular plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) models.

1. Toyota Prius Prime: The Prius Prime has an 8.8 kWh battery that supports fast charging. If using a Level 2 charger (240V), a full charge takes about 2 hours, which is very efficient for daily commuting. However, if using a standard Level 1 charger (120V) commonly found at home, the charging time will increase to about 5.5 hours.
2. Chevrolet Volt (Second Generation): The Chevrolet Volt has an 18.4 kWh battery that is mainly used for efficient charging at home or at a public Level 2 charging station, and a full charge takes about 4.5 hours. However, if equipped with a compatible DC fast charger, the Volt will charge much faster, reaching 80% in only about 30 minutes. DC fast chargers are better for long trips, but frequent use of fast charging will affect the long-term health of the battery.
3. Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid: The Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid has an 8.9 kWh battery. A full charge takes about 2.5 hours with a Level 2 charger, which is very fast and suitable for short waiting times or charging at the workplace. If a Level 1 charger is used, the expected charging time is about 6 hours, which is suitable for overnight home charging.
4. BMW 330e: The BMW 330e's 12 kWh battery strikes a balance between capacity and charging speed. A full charge takes about 3.5 hours with a Level 2 charger, making it suitable for use at home and at public charging stations. If a Level 1 charger is used, the charging time can be extended to about 7 hours, which is more suitable for charging at home overnight.

Conclusion

The charging time of a hybrid vehicle depends on many factors, such as battery capacity, charging station type, and battery capacity. Understanding these factors can help you better plan the management and use of your hybrid vehicle to ensure that it can efficiently meet your daily transportation needs.

If you are considering a home car charging station solution for your hybrid vehicle, PIWIN is an EV charger manufacturer. Not only do they offer AC chargers for home use, but their wide selection also includes chargers for public charging stations, such as plug in EV chargers, commercial chargers, and DC fast chargers. For detailed product information and to explore all charging options, visit the PIWIN official website. Equip your hybrid vehicle with the right charger and enjoy seamless, efficient charging that fits your lifestyle.

Related Reading: How Long Does It Take to Charge an EV?