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I am likely to be forced to use a Volvo V60 in its hybrid diesel-electric plug-in version for my daily commutes. This is a hybrid system comprising a 2.4l diesel engine with an added plug-in electric motor (ERAD). The electric motor is powered by a 12 kWh lithium-ion battery pack which needs to be plugged-in the mains for ca. 8h to be fully charged. Ideally one would do this at night or at work during the day.

The problem is that I have nowhere to charge it on a daily basis. For starters my garage has no electricity. I can maybe try to find a plug somewhere in the garage at work but that's not a sure deal. Moreover, in the town where I live there are sparse charging spots near supermarket or in underground parkings. Therefore, if I end up getting this car I will be using mainly the diesel engine, and will rarely charge the battery.

I know I can drive the car using solely the diesel engine. The car will start and operate normally in this configuration. I am wondering however if never/rarely charging the batteries causes harm to the hybrid/electric engine system. Is this the case?

JoErNanO
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2 Answers2

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No, it won't get damaged. But you also shouldn't let the battery totally empty for long periods. Li-ion batteries are best stored with some charge (normally about 40% is recommended charge level for long term storage per battery university :))

Volvo says that if you press the 'save' button your car will keep reserve charge or charge the batteries from diesel engine, for at least 20km of driving with electric motor:

Volvo V60 hybrid save mode

This should be good enough to keep batteries in good condition.

JoErNanO
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Evren Yurtesen
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The car will charge its battery while driving, e.g. when you brake. This allows the electric motor to augment the diesel engine, reducing overall fuel usage. The result is that the charge state of the battery constantly changes. In other hybrids (Toyota Prius) the control system keeps the battery charge in a range that optimizes battery lifetime (i.e. battery is not drained completely and not filled completely). I expect Volvo to do something similar.

Conclusion: you don't need to take manual action to keep the battery healthy. Even when you never charge the car from the mains, the control system will keep the battery healthy.

From the V60 manual:

The electric motor's engine brake is used during light braking. The car's kinetic energy is then converted to electrical energy instead, which is used to charge the hybrid battery. Battery charging with engine braking is indicated in the combined instrument panel with animation.

This function is active in the speed range 150-5 km/h - for harder braking, as well as outside the speed range, the braking is complemented by the hydraulic brake system.

If you want to drive using only electric power, you can fully charge the battery using the Save button.

The plug-in circuit allows you to charge the battery at home, so you can run on electric power some of the time and reducing fuel usage some more.

Is the company providing you with the car? Then they should also provide somewhere to charge it.

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Hobbes
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