Beginning: Raise questions and cause curiosityImagine a scene like this: you just bought a plug-in hybrid car and are happily ready to start the new travel experience it brings. But one day, you suddenly find that there is a long queue in nearby charging piles, and you are anxious to go out to do business. At this time, a thought flashed through: Can plug in a mixed car not be charged? I believe that many plug-in hybrid car owners have had similar doubts. Today, let’s talk about this topic. The working principle of plug-in hybrid vehicle
Before we explore this issue in depth, let’s first understand the working principle of plug-in hybrid vehicles. Plug-mixed vehicles, the full name of plug-in hybrid vehicles. Simply put, it combines the power system of traditional fuel vehicles with the power system of pure electric vehicles, including engines, fuel tanks, batteries and motors. It’s like giving a car two sets of “hearts”, these two sets of systems will work flexibly in different driving scenarios.
When the battery is sufficient, the plug-in hybrid car is like a docile little sheep, mainly driven by a motor, quiet and environmentally friendly, quietly shuttles through the streets and alleys of the city. At this time, the engine can even not work at all, which is what we often call the pure electric mode. It’s like riding an electric bike, you can move forward easily as long as the battery is powered. When the battery is insufficient or requires large power demands such as rapid acceleration and high-speed driving, the engine will step up and work together with the motor to provide stronger power for the vehicle. This is the hybrid mode. In this mode, the engine and motor can intelligently distribute power according to actual road conditions and driving needs, so that the vehicle can always maintain good performance.
In addition, there is another special skill for plugging in hybrid vehicles – energy recovery. During braking or deceleration, the vehicle converts part of the kinetic energy into electrical energy and stores it to charge the battery. Just like when you ride a bicycle, if the energy on the brakes can be collected, it will be even more labor-saving next time you ride it. This design not only improves energy utilization, but also extends the battery life to a certain extent. After understanding the working principle of plug-in hybrid vehicles, we can better understand the question of whether it can be charged forever. Can I turn on without charging? The answer is yes
Now, let’s reveal the answer: even if the plug-in hybrid car is not charged, it can still drive normally. When the battery of the plug-in hybrid vehicle is exhausted, the engine will immediately “take up” and replace the motor becomes the source of power for the vehicle to drive the vehicle. Just like a traditional fuel vehicle, it relies on the energy generated by fuel combustion to drive the vehicle forward.
In this case, the plug-in hybrid vehicle will automatically switch to pure fuel mode or hybrid mode (different models vary). For example, in some parallel plug-in hybrid models, the engine is directly connected to the wheels and transmits power to the wheels through the transmission; in extended-range plug-in hybrid models, the engine does not directly drive the wheels, but plays the role of a “power station” to drive the generator to generate electricity, and the generated electricity is then supplied to the motor, and the vehicle is driven by the motor. For example, Ideal ONE is an extended-range plug-in hybrid vehicle. When the battery is insufficient, the 1.2T three-cylinder turbocharged engine starts to charge the battery only, while the vehicle is still driven by the motor.
So, from a technical perspective, even if the plug-in hybrid car is not charged, it can rely on the power of the engine to take you wherever you want, and you don’t have to worry about throwing you on the road at all. However, there are still some details and potential impacts here, so let’s continue to look. The driving experience without charging is an important criterion for measuring the quality of a car. So what changes will the driving experience change when plug-in hybrid cars are not charged? Let’s compare the driving experience when the power is full and the power is out of power. Power Response
When fully charged, the power of the plug-in hybrid vehicle responds very quickly. When you press the accelerator pedal, the motor can instantly output maximum torque, just like a sprinter who immediately sprints with all his strength when he hears a gunshot. The vehicle can react quickly, accelerate quickly and smoothly, and overtaking and changing lanes are easy and free. For example, BYD Tang DM-i, in pure electric mode, its motor can easily output powerful torque, and its acceleration score is excellent. The power on call in daily driving allows you to enjoy the fun of driving.
When the vehicle is in a power loss state, the power response may be slightly “slow”. At this time, it mainly relies on the engine to provide power. The engine needs a process from idle speed to high speed, just like a long-distance runner who can slowly accelerate, unlike a motor that can explode instantly. When you accelerate rapidly, you may feel the engine trying to “roar”, and the power output is slightly slower than when you are fully charged. However, many plug-in hybrid models now optimize the power system in the power loss state, and minimize this difference through the coordinated work of the engine and the motor. Like the Honda Accord e:PHEV, with the help of the fourth-generation i-MMD hybrid technology, it can still maintain excellent power response. The acceleration time of 0-60km/h is only 0.14 seconds different from that of full-charge state, and there is almost no difference in daily driving. Quietness
When driving at full power, the car was extremely quiet because the engine was not working, with only a slight sound of electric current and the sound of friction between the tires and the ground, just like in a quiet night, only a breeze was blowing gently. This quiet environment allows you to enjoy music in the car or talk softly with family and friends, which is very comfortable. Take the Volvo XC60 PHEV as an example. When driving fully electric, it has excellent sound insulation materials and design, and the quietness in the car is first-class, creating a comfortable environment for drivers and passengers.
Once the power is lost and the engine starts, the situation will be different. A certain amount of noise and vibration will be generated when the engine is running, especially when it is accelerated rapidly or driving at high speed, the sound of the engine will obviously enter the car, breaking the original tranquility. However, different models perform differently in noise control. Some high-end plug-in hybrid models can control the noise when power is lost to a low level by adopting advanced sound insulation technology and engine noise reduction measures, which has little impact on the driving experience. For example, the BMW 530Le can still remain relatively quiet in the car when it is out of power; while the noise of some models may be more obvious, which has a certain impact on the quietness in the car. For example, the noise of the Leapmotor C11 will become a bit unacceptable when it is out of power. Driving stability
At full power, the driving stability of the plug-in hybrid vehicle is usually higher. The motor’s power output is very linear, without the engine’s feeling of shifting gears, like rowing on a calm lake, smooth and comfortable. This advantage is more obvious when walking around the city, and frequent acceleration and deceleration will not make you feel uncomfortable. When power is out of power, the intervention of the engine may bring some minor changes. At the moment the engine starts and switches working modes, you may feel a slight shaking or jerk in the vehicle, like a sudden little storm while rowing. However, with the continuous development of hybrid technology, many models have effectively reduced this sense of jerk and made the driving more stable by optimizing the matching of the engine and the motor and the control system. For example, GAC Honda Haoying plug-in hybrid, whether it is powered or out of power, can maintain stability during starting and driving, flexible handling, and little difference in driving experience. The impact of long-term non-charging is that although plug-in hybrid cars can be turned on without charging, this does not mean that we can never charge. Long-term failure to charge will have a series of negative impacts on the vehicle. Fuel consumption soars
When the plug-in hybrid vehicle is not charged for a long time and the battery power is always at a low level, the engine has to take on more work. On the one hand, it needs to provide power for the vehicle to drive; on the other hand, it also needs to distribute part of the energy to charge the battery. It’s like a person has to carry a heavy backpack and charge the power bank in his bag from time to time, which will naturally be even more laborious.
In this case, the fuel consumption of the vehicle will increase significantly. Taking a certain plug-in hybrid model as an example, under full power, its comprehensive fuel consumption of 100 kilometers may be only 2-3 liters. In daily urban commuting, you can basically rely on pure electric driving, and the fuel consumption is almost negligible. However, when the vehicle is not charged for a long time and is in a state of loss of power, fuel consumption per 100 kilometers may soar to 7-8 liters, or even higher.
This may not have much advantage over the fuel consumption of traditional fuel vehicles of the same level, and it may even be higher. Like the Volkswagen Tanyue GTE, if it is not charged and driven by the engine alone, the fuel consumption per 100 kilometers is about 8.5 liters, while the fuel version of Tanyue, under normal driving conditions, the fuel consumption per 100 kilometers may be 7-8 liters. In this way, the original energy-saving advantages of plug-in hybrid vehicles will disappear, and in the long run, the cost of refueling will become a considerable expense. Shortened battery life
Long-term failure to charge will make the battery in a state of loss of power, which will also have a serious impact on the battery’s life. Currently, most plug-in hybrid vehicles use lithium batteries, and the best working state of lithium batteries is to maintain a certain amount of power. When the battery is in a low-voltage state for a long time, the chemical reactions inside the battery will become unstable, and the electrode material will gradually age and be damaged, resulting in a decrease in battery capacity and deterioration in performance. Simply put, just like our mobile phone battery, if we often charge after the battery is exhausted, over time, the battery life will become worse and worse and we need to charge frequently. The same is true for plug-in hybrid vehicles. Long-term driving loss of electricity will greatly shorten the battery’s service life. Generally speaking, the service life of plug-in hybrid vehicles that are normally used and charged may be 8-10 years; while the battery that is not charged for a long time may need to be replaced in 5-6 years, or even shorter. You should know that replacing the battery of a plug-in hybrid car is a considerable cost, ranging from thousands of yuan to tens of thousands of yuan, which will undoubtedly increase the cost of using the vehicle. We lost the original intention of buying a car. A large part of the reason why we bought plug-in hybrid cars is because we are attracted by its fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly and low cost of use. At the same time, we can also enjoy some policy benefits for new energy vehicles, such as green license plates, purchase tax exemptions, etc. However, if you don’t charge for a long time, these advantages will be greatly reduced. The increase in fuel consumption means an increase in usage costs, and the original intention of environmental protection cannot be realized, because the engine will naturally increase exhaust emissions. Moreover, not being able to make full use of the pure electric mode of plug-in hybrid vehicles is like buying a high-performance computer, but it is only used for simple word processing, unable to exert all its performance, and it also loses the meaning of buying plug-in hybrid vehicles. Economic analysis of non-charged fuel consumption cost increases
If the plug-in hybrid vehicle is not charged for a long time, the fuel consumption cost will increase significantly. Taking BYD Song Pro DM-i as an example, official data shows that its comprehensive fuel consumption is as low as about 2L under full power. According to the current No. 92 gasoline of 7 yuan per liter, the fuel cost per kilometer is only about 0.14 yuan. However, when the vehicle is in a state of power loss for a long time, the fuel consumption will increase significantly. The actual fuel consumption per 100 kilometers may reach 7-8 liters, and the fuel cost per kilometer soars to 0.49-0.56 yuan. Assuming that you drive 2,000 kilometers per month, the monthly fuel fee is only 280 yuan when driving with full power; if you drive with loss of electricity, the monthly fuel fee is as high as 980-1,120 yuan, and the additional monthly expenditure is 700-840 yuan. In a year, the fuel expenses for driving with loss of electricity will be 8,400-10,080 yuan more than driving with full electricity. In the long run, this is undoubtedly a heavy economic burden. Increased maintenance costs
Long-term failure to charge will also increase the maintenance cost of plug-in hybrid vehicles. Because the battery is in a low-voltage state for a long time, its aging speed is accelerated and it is more likely to cause failure. Once the battery needs to be replaced, the cost is quite high. For example, the cost of replacing a battery with a luxury brand plug-in hybrid model is as high as about 100,000 yuan. Even some ordinary brands of plug-in hybrid vehicles have a battery cost of 20,000 to 50,000 yuan. In addition, motors and other components may also be more likely to be damaged due to long-term non-charge and unbalanced workloads. The cost of repairing or replacing the motor is also not low, ranging from a few thousand yuan to tens of thousands of yuan. Moreover, if vehicles rely on engine power frequently, the wear of the engine will also intensify, the maintenance cycle may be shortened, and the maintenance cost will also increase accordingly. For example, an engine that was originally maintained once every 10,000 kilometers may require 7,000-8,000 kilometers to be maintained due to long-term high load operation. Assuming that the maintenance cost will increase by 200-300 yuan, a considerable expense will also increase in a year. Emergency situations in applicable scenarios without charging
Although it is not recommended to not charge for a long time, it is still very practical to plug in a hybrid car without charging in some special emergency situations. For example, during a long-distance trip, when you are driving in a remote area, the surrounding charging piles are scarce, and even the charging piles cannot be found, and the vehicle’s power is about to run out, if you do not charge, it will become your emergency solution. It allows you to get to the next place with charging facilities or to reach your destination directly, avoiding the embarrassment of being stuck on the road. Just like a car owner drove to Tibet by himself. On the Sichuan-Tibet line, charging piles were very sparsely distributed. After his plug-in hybrid car was insufficient, he relied on the engine to complete the remaining journey and successfully arrived in Lhasa. No charging conditions
For some users who do not have a fixed parking space, cannot install private charging piles, and are extremely scarce in surrounding public charging piles, they may have no choice but to choose not to charge and use plug-in hybrid cars. For example, in some old communities, parking spaces are already tight and there is no condition to install charging piles; there are also people who often work in different places that find it difficult to find a stable charging place. In this case, even though their original intention of buying plug-in hybrid vehicles was to enjoy the advantages of new energy, the actual conditions limit that plug-in hybrid vehicles can only be used as traditional fuel vehicles. However, this is just a helpless move, and this will bring about many of the problems mentioned above in the long run. Summary and Suggestions Through the above analysis, we can clearly see that although plug-in hybrid vehicles can drive without charging, this will bring many disadvantages. In terms of driving experience, power response, quietness and driving stability will be affected to varying degrees, which is far from the comfortable driving experience at full power; from the long-term impact, soaring fuel consumption will make your wallet fade quickly when refueling, and shortening battery life may lead to high replacement costs, and will also make you lose the energy-saving, environmentally friendly and economic advantages that you originally pursued by buying plug-in hybrid cars. suggestion
In order to give full play to the advantages of plug-in hybrid cars and enjoy the convenience and economy it brings, it is recommended that car owners develop good charging habits. If the daily commuting distance is short, such as within 30 kilometers, it is best to charge the vehicle every day. In this way, during daily travel in the city, you can basically rely on pure electric driving, which is both environmentally friendly and cost-effective. If the commuting distance is between 30 and 60 kilometers, it is more appropriate to charge every two days; if it exceeds 60 kilometers, the charging time needs to be flexibly adjusted according to actual needs. In terms of charging methods, if you have the conditions to install a private charging pile, it is undoubtedly the most convenient. You can charge it easily when you go home and park at night, and then set off again the next morning. If there is no private charging pile, you can also use public charging piles, such as parking your car in a parking lot with charging piles near the company when you are at work and using your working hours to charge; or go to a nearby public charging station to charge during your leisure on weekends. In addition, charging using a home 220V power supply is also a feasible way, but you should pay attention to choosing a plug-in board with the right power to ensure safe charging. In short, the best way to use plug-in hybrid vehicles is to charge reasonably, so that the two power systems of the engine and the motor can cooperate in coordination and give full play to their respective advantages. This not only improves the driving experience, but also reduces the cost of use, extends the service life of the vehicle, and truly achieves green, economical and efficient travel. I hope that all plug-in hybrid owners can pay attention to charging issues and keep their cars in the best condition at all times.
