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What happens if you don’t charge your plug-in hybrid?

by Robert Beas - Posted 1 year ago

If you don't charge a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), the vehicle will still operate as a traditional gasoline-powered vehicle. The vehicle will use its gasoline engine to power the car, and the electric motor will only act as a supplemental power source when needed.
However, if you don't charge a PHEV regularly, you may miss out on some of the benefits of owning a PHEV. These benefits include improved fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and the ability to drive on electric power alone for short distances.
When you charge a PHEV, you are replenishing the battery pack that powers the electric motor. When the battery is fully charged, the vehicle can operate in electric-only mode for a certain distance, typically between 20-50 miles depending on the model. This can offer significant fuel savings and emissions reductions for drivers who frequently travel short distances.
If you don't charge your PHEV regularly, you may also see a decrease in battery performance over time. PHEV batteries are designed to be charged and discharged regularly, and failure to charge the battery regularly can lead to decreased battery capacity and reduced performance.
In addition, if you neglect to charge your PHEV battery for an extended period of time, the battery may become completely depleted, which can cause damage to the battery cells and reduce the overall lifespan of the battery.
Overall, while you can still operate a PHEV as a traditional gasoline-powered vehicle if you don't charge the battery regularly, you may miss out on some of the benefits of owning a PHEV, and could potentially cause damage to the battery pack over time.
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