Can New Energy Vehicles Charge Without Turning Off the Engine?
4 Answers
New energy vehicles can charge without turning off the engine. When the battery is low on power, as long as the engine is running, the regulator inside the generator will make the generator produce electricity to charge the battery. Modern cars are basically equipped with a power management system. When the current sensor installed on the battery sends a signal to the control computer indicating insufficient battery power, the system will increase the generator's output voltage, sometimes even up to 15 volts, to meet the battery's charging needs. Generally, it is not a problem to fully charge a phone when the car is turned off. However, as long as the ignition is on, other electrical devices in the car will also be powered, which over time can easily lead to battery drain or even failure to start the engine, and can also cause damage to the battery. Some cars will automatically cut off all power a few minutes after the engine is turned off or the car is locked to protect the battery. For example, the BMW X1 is set up this way. Rather than risking failure to start the engine or damaging the car battery to charge a phone, it is better to prepare a power bank to keep in the car. The battery is just "idle consumption" when the engine is off, which is not worth the loss. The car battery can be charged by the rotation of the engine. Opening the engine hood, you can see several belt-connected parts, one of which is the car's generator. As the engine runs, it drives the generator via the belt, generating electric current. The current flows through the vehicle's voltage regulator transformer, and after being filtered, part of it is used for the vehicle's operation (such as lights, audio, and ignition coils), while the excess is used to charge the onboard battery.
I've been driving a new energy vehicle for a while now, and when charging, I usually choose to turn it off first. The reason is simple: when the vehicle is on, the system is still running, and charging would increase the load on the battery and electronic components, potentially causing overheating or instability. Once, I was in a hurry and charged without turning it off, and later the car displayed a charging fault code. The mechanic said doing this long-term could easily reduce the battery's lifespan. For safety, it's best to turn off the vehicle before charging, allowing it to quietly handle the charging process and avoid accidents. Turning off the vehicle while charging can also save a bit on electricity costs without affecting the overall charging efficiency. Remember, new energy vehicles don't have the concept of engine shutdown, but a complete power-off can protect the equipment.
From a technical perspective, new energy vehicles typically require the system to be in a low-power state during charging. While it's possible to charge while the vehicle is turned on, the operation of electronic devices may interfere with the charging process. For instance, an active control system consumes energy, which can affect charging speed. In practice, most vehicle models exhibit slightly lower charging efficiency when powered on, along with potential overheating risks. It is recommended to charge with the vehicle turned off to ensure circuit safety. Additionally, an off state allows the charger to focus on power supply, thereby extending battery health. Specific practices may vary by model, but the general consensus is that charging while turned off is more reliable.
As a regular urban electric vehicle driver, I believe whether to power off during charging depends on the situation. Personally, I sometimes charge without powering off, but most of the time I do shut down to avoid system malfunctions. Charging while powered on isn't a major issue, though I've occasionally encountered overheating alerts which can be annoying. Powering off during charging is simpler and more secure. If you're in a hurry at a charging station, short-term charging while powered on might be acceptable, but it's best not to make it a habit. Additionally, charging time might be slightly longer this way, making the overall experience less convenient compared to powering off.
