A plug-in hybrid is how many drivers dip their toes into the world of electric vehicles — they’re an electric vs. gasoline compromise of sorts.
If you’re driving a plug-in hybrid off the dealership lot, it might also be your first time owning a car that needs to be charged. Although these hybrids have the obvious benefit of a gas motor, you still need to give some thought to how and when you charge your vehicle.
Getting the best performance out of your plug-in hybrid requires a bit of planning, but it’ll help you find more satisfaction from this kind of car.
Watch this: Optimizing Your EV’s Efficiency Is Easier Than You Think
When and where to charge your plug-in hybrid car
It sounds simple, but the biggest thing you can do to get the most out of your plug-in hybrid is to keep the battery fully charged, according to Amelia Dalgaard, an automotive expert known online as Motorhead Mama.
First off, a fully-charged battery allows you to use the electric motor that gives the car a bit more torque than a conventional engine. Second, going long stretches without charging is not good for the health of the battery, Dalgaard says.
“Charge before you need to,” Dalgaard advises, which allows you to use the electric motor often — and leads to better performance.
If your goal is to really maximize the amount of time you’re driving on the electric motor, you might want to invest in a home charger so you can charge your battery every night. This isn’t strictly necessary, and you can always top up at a public charging station, but an at-home charger might be more convenient in the long run.
If you decide to rely on public chargers, there’s a bit more planning involved, according to Kim Okafor, general manager of strategic growth at Love’s Alternative Energy. You’ll want to spend some time finding the chargers in your area, and looking into whether your car brand offers any free charging spots, Okafor says.
Apps like Google Maps or PlugShare can help you locate public charging stations, or your car’s built-in information system might even display a charging map, Okafor says. As you go along, you’ll probably discover that not all charging stations are created equal: Some charge at different speeds; some have canopies and waiting areas while others don’t. Eventually, you’ll learn which ones work best for you.
From daily charging habits to road trip strategies, there are ways to maximize your plug-in hybrid’s performance and efficiency.
How to handle a road trip
The idea of taking a road trip with an electric vehicle is something that often induces “range anxiety” in American drivers.
Thankfully, with a plug-in hybrid, you don’t have to worry about being stranded without a charge because you can always switch onto the conventional motor and fill up at a gas station.
That being said, you still might want to maximize the amount of time you’re driving on your battery. If that’s the case, use those EV charging apps (or your car’s built-in map) to locate some potential charging spots before you set out on your road trip.
If you find yourself in a bind while you’re on the road, Dalgaard has a few tips on where to find EV chargers:
- Stop at a national park: Some of them offer EV charging stations now, and you can enjoy the scenery while you’re waiting to juice up.
- Find a municipal building: Cities often offer chargers at city hall or the library or other municipal properties. Seek those out if you’re not sure where you might find a charger in any given town.
- Look for a shopping mall: These are often charging hotspots, too, and offer an easy way to kill time inside as you top-up your battery.
