Hybrids and PHEVs can be a great way to save money on gas without going full EV, but car shoppers generally don’t know much about hybrids. In a recent Consumer Reports survey, only 45% of people were aware of how hybrids work. One topic that has a lot of people confused has to do with charging, so here’s a look at if PHEVs will still work if they don’t get charged.
What’s under the hood of a PHEV and how it works
Hybrid charging | Nathan Laine via Getty Images
Like Consumer Reports wrote, PHEVs aren’t that different from traditional hybrids or even regular gas-powered cars regarding what’s under the hood. That’s because PHEVs, hybrids, and regular cars primarily rely on an engine to do much of the work. Hybrids and PHEVs add a battery and an electric motor to the mix.
Its ability to plug in and charge sets it apart from a hybrid. In a traditional hybrid, the gas engine does the charging. Plus, it can qualify for the federal EV tax credit, while hybrids can’t. Another big difference is size. The battery pack is usually many times larger than the battery in a hybrid.
There also tends to be a size difference in their electric motors, as a PHEV tends to have more powerful electric motors. With the larger battery and the more powerful motors, it can travel in battery-only mode for a certain amount of miles.
Can a PHEV still run if the battery hasn’t been charged?
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It’s important to charge to get the most out of it
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