How to Charge a Hybrid Car Battery

With the growing popularity of hybrid and electric vehicles, it’s even easier to find performance and features you love in a fuel-efficient package. When you’re ready to leave the standard gas-powered cars behind, you may be wondering about how to charge a hybrid car battery. Charging a hybrid car battery depends on whether it’s a traditional hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or full-electric vehicle. Learn more about hybrid charging with Westbrook Toyota, and don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. 

How to Charge a Hybrid Car Battery Based on Type

Even more drivers are wondering about charging a hybrid car battery around Madison. How you’ll go about it depends on the type of hybrid you’re interested in. Explore the differences and see which hybrid type fits your lifestyle below:

• Standard Hybrids: This type of vehicle is likely what you think of when you picture a hybrid car. Standard hybrids combine an electric motor with the typical internal combustion engine. You’ll find learning how to charge this hybrid car is simple because all you have to do is take it to the roads around town. The battery self-charges as you complete your errands and weekly commutes.
• Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles: Growing in popularity, models in the PHEV segment also use an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. However, PHEV models have the option to run solely on electric power for a specified number of miles (known as the electric range). However, this increased capability means it requires a charge from an external power source like a public charging station, a 120-volt household outlet, or a fast-charging home station. 
• Electric Vehicle: You may have spotted sleek EV models around Clinton. While technically in a separate segment from hybrids and PHEVs, EVs run solely on electric power and require an external power source to charge the battery. 

Three Methods for How to Charge a Hybrid Car Battery

Not only can the PHEV segment help you save on gas while running errands around town, PHEV models also comes in handy when taking on long stretches of highways on road trips. Here are the methods for how to charge a hybrid car:

• Portable charging: The most convenient way of charging a hybrid car battery is using the standard portable charging cable the PHEV is equipped with. While not the quickest charge rate, these chargers can plug into any household-style 120-volt outlet, making them handy in an emergency. 
• Home fast charging: For faster home charging, you’ll want to install a 240-volt fast charging station in your garage. This does come at an additional cost, but it’s worth the investment for a faster recharge during your stops at home. 
• Public charging: The growing popularity of PHEV models mean the number of public charging stations is growing as well. When you’re planning a long trip, it’s a good idea to look up any public stations along your route. 

Discover Toyota Hybrid Models Today!

Just like there are several ways of charging a hybrid car battery, there are several Toyota hybrids to choose from. Explore our inventory of hybrid models and learn about the charging times and methods for the model you’re interested in. Then, be sure to discuss your financing options with the team in our finance department.