BERLIN: In addition to a regular combustion engine, plug-in hybrids have an electric motor on board, which can travel certain distances using purely electric power. But how do you charge the battery?
In most cases, a normal electric socket is enough to charge the battery of a plug-in hybrid, industry experts say.
The battery of a typical model with roughly 15 kilowatt-hours can typically be filled up within about four hours. That means the car can be plugged in overnight, and by the next morning, it can be driven again using just electric power.
To get this charge, the household electric socket has to deliver 3.6 kW. For older homes, it's a good idea to have the socket and the supply line first checked by a professional to ensure that they can handle the permanent load. Otherwise, there's a fire risk involved.
