Without a doubt, one of the most popular hybrid electric vehicles is the Prius.
It was one of the most groundbreaking electric cars to enter the market and has been one of the most popular cars sold in the USA in recent years.
The Prius runs on a hybrid combination of gas and electricity and is incredibly convenient for drivers.
The Prius can primarily run on electricity but also allows drivers to use gas when they need to.
But there is one thing that many people find confusing about hybrid cars, and that is how to charge them.
For some people, this could be enough to put them off purchasing a hybrid electric vehicle.
With traditional cars, it is easy to know how to refuel when you need to, but hybrid cars can make these simple tasks seem challenging.
That is why we’ve put together this guide on how to charge a Prius. So if you have been put off buying a Prius out of not knowing how to charge it, or own a Prius and still find the charging process confusing, then you are in the right place.
What is an Electric Hybrid?
Before we take a look at how to charge your Prius, let’s first establish exactly what an electric hybrid vehicle is. Electric hybrids are a type of vehicle that can operate on both gasoline and electricity.
You may also have heard of the term “plug-in hybrid” which can also be used to describe electric hybrid cars.
Unlike either gasoline or electric vehicles, hybrids use a combination of both which alters the way that their engine is designed.
Electric hybrid vehicles will have the traditional gasoline engine, however, they will also have an electric motor. Their design allows the driver to run the vehicle solely on gasoline or electricity as and when needed.
Hybrid electric vehicles are a popular choice among people because they still give you the option between the two.
Vehicles that solely operate on electricity may be off-putting as electricity can be more difficult to come across if you run out of fuel on a long journey.
Alternatively, gasoline vehicles can be off-putting due to the harmful emissions they produce and the great effect these emissions are having on the environment and the world we live in.
An electric hybrid provides the best of both worlds as you can run on electricity to reduce emissions and costs most of the time, but you also have the chance to operate on gasoline should your electricity be short in supply.
The Prius was one of the first, and most popular, electric hybrids to enter the market. With that in mind, let’s take a look at how to charge a Prius.
How to Charge a Prius
Electric hybrids, or plug-in hybrids, have a gas engine with an electric motor. When we talk about charging an electric hybrid, we are talking about charging the electric motor or battery.
Some electric hybrids require a journey to a fuel station solely to charge your vehicle, which can be a pain as electric vehicles can take 5 or more hours to charge.
The Prius differs, however, as it allows the driver to top up the battery while they are out on their usual journeys.
Topping up the battery allows you to plug your Prius in while you are parked up at home, or stopped at town.
Your vehicle will simply pick up charge during the time it is plugged in without requiring charging to full.
This is why the Prius is so popular – it is very convenient to charge when compared to other electric hybrids.
Simply plug in your Prius to a charging point and allow it to charge while you get the things you need to do done.
Safe in the knowledge that you can unplug your car and go whenever is convenient for you.
Charging your Prius at Home
The main place where you will charge your Prius is at home. When you think about it, your car spends the majority of its lifetime at your home.
That’s just considering the time you spend sleeping, and without thinking about the other time you spend in your home. Due to this, it makes the most sense to charge your vehicle at home.
Despite its great difference in size, your Prius charges in the same way that your other electrical devices, such as your cell phone, do.
All you need to do is plug the charging cord that comes with your vehicle into a wall electricity outlet in your home.
Every hour of charging from a wall outlet will add 4 miles of travel power onto your vehicle, and it will take 5 and a half hours to charge your Prius to full using this method. You can also get a fast charger to speed up the charging process.
This is easy if you live in a single-family household, however, it can be more difficult if you live in an apartment complex.
This is why hybrids are a popular choice among those who live in apartments as they can use the gasoline function if they are unable to charge their vehicle at home.
Charging your Prius on the Go
Charging your Prius on the go might appear daunting at first, especially if you are new to owning a hybrid.
It can be difficult to spot electric charging points at first, but once you’ve found one you will notice that they are everywhere.
You will often find them in convenient locations such as next to workplaces, near retail stores or malls, and also in restaurants.
These locations usually have the more advanced electric charge points which allow you to add approximately 12 miles to the vehicle for every hour spent charging.
These charge locations provide an easy and convenient way to top up your range per hour without it impacting your ability to go about your life.
If you are struggling to find locations, there are a variety of apps that can be used to help locate them more easily.
Summary
In short, charging your Prius is as easy as charging your cell phone.
Simply plug it into an electricity point and let it do its job, at home or on the go, charging your Prius is simple.
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