can you charge a connected car battery

[Ashlyn]

Yes, you can charge a connected car's battery, but it's crucial to know which battery you're dealing with. Modern connected vehicles have two separate batteries: the high-voltage traction battery that powers the electric motor and a standard 12V auxiliary battery that runs the computers, infotainment, and connectivity features. Charging the 12V battery is straightforward and similar to any regular car battery. However, charging the main traction battery is the primary function of plugging the vehicle into a charger.

The "connected" aspect of the car, which allows for features like remote monitoring via a smartphone app, adds an important layer to charging. You can often initiate, schedule, and monitor the charging status of the high-voltage battery directly from the car's touchscreen or your phone. This connectivity helps you take advantage of off-peak electricity rates and pre-condition the cabin while still plugged in, preserving the driving range.

It's important to note that a severely depleted 12V battery can prevent the car's computers from booting up, which might ironically disable the connectivity features needed to manage the high-voltage battery's charge. In this case, jump-starting or charging the 12V battery (usually located under the hood or in the trunk) is the first step to regaining full control of the vehicle.

Charging Scenario	Battery Type	Method	Key Consideration
Routine Charging	High-Voltage Traction	Plug into Level 1/2/3 charger	Use the car's app or screen to set charging limits and schedules.
12V Battery Dead	12V Auxiliary	Jump-start or trickle charger	Restores power to computers, enabling the high-voltage battery to be charged.
Long-Term Storage	Both	Use a battery maintainer	Prevents deep discharge that can damage both batteries and connectivity modules.

[VeraLynn]

Sure, but you're probably talking about the small 12-volt battery, like in any car. If your car's apps and screens won't turn on, that's the one that's dead. You can jump it or use a battery charger from an auto parts store. The big battery that actually moves the car charges when you plug the whole vehicle in. The "connected" part just lets you check on it from your phone.

[LeZachary]

As a tech enthusiast, the cool part is how the connectivity integrates with charging. I can schedule my EV to charge after midnight when electricity is cheapest, all from an app. If the 12V battery dies, however, it's a frustrating loophole—the car can't "talk" to anything. So yes, you charge the main battery by plugging in, but keeping the 12V battery healthy is the key to maintaining that smart functionality.

[JeremiahLynn]

My neighbor learned this the hard way. His fancy electric car sat at the airport for two weeks, and the little battery that runs the computers died. He couldn't even unlock it with his phone. The AAA guy had to jump the small battery under the frunk first before the big battery would take a charge. So the answer is yes, but sometimes you have to charge the little one to get to the big one.

[BentleyFitz]

From a purely practical standpoint, charging the battery in a connected car is a two-step thought process. First, for daily driving, you just plug the car into a charger; the connectivity features are a bonus for monitoring. Second, if the car is completely dead and unresponsive, the issue is almost always the conventional 12V battery. Addressing that with a jump-start or replacement is the necessary first step to restore power and communication before the high-voltage system can be charged.