Will the battery charge if the car is started but not driven?

1 Answers
LaNorah
07/29/25 9:33am
The battery will charge when the car is started but not driven. However, idling to charge is not recommended. After the engine is started, the electricity generated by the car's dedicated alternator is primarily used to power the vehicle's onboard systems. The remaining current is actually quite limited. It typically requires the engine to reach over 2,000 RPM before sufficient current is generated, which is why idling for charging is not advised. Battery charging: The car's alternator charges the battery while the vehicle is running, so there is rarely a need for dedicated charging. However, if the battery is severely depleted due to an unexpected issue, it should be charged promptly and not solely rely on the car's charging system. Idle charging: The battery can charge while the car is idling, but only at about 60% efficiency. If high-power electrical devices are used during idling, additional power will be drawn from the main battery.
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