More and more owners of the Golf GTE, Passat GTE, A3 e-tron, Q5 TFSI e and Octavia iV are coming to us at Das Auto Service. And they all ask me the same thing: "Kris, how do I charge it at home? Do I need a special cable?" Here's something I really want you to understand: a plug-in hybrid only makes sense if you charge it regularly. Otherwise, you're just carrying around a heavy battery and using more fuel than you would in a conventional car. And that's the last thing I want for you.
Which cable do you need for plug-in hybrid home charging?
- Mode 2 charging cable – this has a control box and a plug for a standard household socket. You plug it in and charge at around 2.3 kW. It's not particularly fast, but it does the job wherever you have a suitable socket.
- Mode 3 charging cable – this has a Type 2 connector at both ends. It's the one you need for a home wallbox or a public charging station.
Now, pay attention to this bit, because it's where a lot of people get confused. Most VAG plug-in hybrids have a 3.6 kW onboard charger, while some newer models support 7.4 kW. So even if you plug your car into a 22 kW charging station, it won't charge at 22 kW. It'll only draw as much power as the charger built into the car can handle. No more than that.
How long does charging take?
That depends on the battery and where you're charging. Rather than leave you guessing, here are some typical charging times for a plug-in hybrid:
- From a standard household socket at 2.3 kW – around 5 to 7 hours. Plug it in before bed, get a good night's sleep and your car will be charged by morning.
- From a 3.6 kW home wallbox – around 3 to 4 hours.
- From a home wallbox, if your car's onboard charger supports 7.4 kW – around 2 hours.
Just remember, these are approximate times. If you want to know exactly how long your own car takes, check the owner's manual or the charging menu in the MMI. That's where you'll find the information for your particular model.
Please, don't charge your car through a multi-plug adaptor or a coiled extension lead. When electricity flows through a cable for hours on end, both the cable and the socket can get hot. If you're planning to charge regularly from a household socket, get a qualified electrician to check the socket and the wiring. No socket is worth taking that risk.
Is a home wallbox worth installing?
If you drive every day and plug your car in every evening, I'd fit a wallbox. You'll charge faster and more safely, without putting your ordinary household socket under a heavy load for ten hours at a time. But if you only charge occasionally or don't have your own parking space, a Mode 2 cable will do the job. You don't absolutely need to install a wallbox.
How do you look after your plug-in hybrid's battery?
- Charge it regularly. That's why you bought a plug-in hybrid in the first place, isn't it? So you can drive on electricity every day, not just whenever you happen to come across a charging station.
- Don't leave the car sitting for weeks with a completely empty battery. You're not doing it any favours.
- Use the charging timer and pre-conditioning while the car is still plugged in. That way, you won't waste battery power heating or cooling the cabin when you set off in the morning.
- And don't forget the little 12-volt battery. It has an important job to do as well. I've explained more about it in my article about the battery and Start/Stop.
A tip from Kris Mladenov: If you're buying a plug-in hybrid, make sure the charging cable comes with the car. If it's missing, get one straight away and keep it in a bag in the boot. I'm telling you this for your own good – a plug-in hybrid without a charging cable is basically just a heavy petrol car.
I hope you now have a better idea of how to charge your plug-in hybrid and what you need at home. There's nothing complicated about it, as long as you've got the right cable and know what your car supports. If this has helped you, send the article to a friend who drives a hybrid. You'll save them a lot of head-scratching.
What you'll find in our shop
VW Mode 2 charging cable, 230 V, 2.3 kW, 6 m
VW Mode 2 charging cable, 230 V, 2.3 kW, 6 m – plug it into a standard household socket and start charging.
View in our shop
Audi Type 2 charging cable, Mode 3, 22 kW, 6 m
Audi Type 2 charging cable, Mode 3, 22 kW, 6 m – for a home wallbox or a public charging station.
View in our shop
Audi e-tron charging cable storage bag
Charging cable storage bag – keep your cable neatly tucked away instead of letting it roll around in the boot.
View in our shopRead more
- Electric car and hybrid charging equipment in our shop
- Electrical problems and control modules
- Start/Stop: what is it and how does it work?
- Why does Start/Stop stop working in winter, and why does a new battery need coding?
- Hybrids and electric cars in winter: range, charging and connectors
- Charging cable storage bag: keeping your electric car's boot tidy
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to charge a plug-in hybrid from a household socket?
Usually between 5 and 7 hours at 2.3 kW. It depends on the size of your car's battery.
Do I really need a home wallbox for my plug-in hybrid?
No, don't worry. But if you charge every day, a wallbox is faster and safer. And it's worth having.
Will my hybrid charge faster if I plug it into a 22 kW charging station?
Not if your car's onboard charger can't handle that much power. Most plug-in hybrids charge at 3.6 or 7.4 kW. The station might offer 22 kW, but your car will only draw as much as its own charger allows.