Impact of Charging Frequency on Fuel Efficiency
- Higher charging frequency increases electric driving share: When a PHEV is charged more frequently, especially daily, it can maximize the use of its electric-only range. This leads to a higher proportion of kilometers driven on electricity rather than gasoline, thereby reducing fuel consumption and tailpipe emissions. For example, charging a PHEV every day leads to better fuel efficiency than charging less frequently.
- Charging less than every day substantially reduces fuel efficiency: Studies show that for company cars, which are charged only about every second driving day, the share of electric kilometers is lower. This reduced charging frequency results in higher fuel consumption and emissions since more driving is done using the internal combustion engine. Likewise, in regions like China, where PHEVs are charged infrequently, the electric driving share and fuel savings are low.
- Quantified effects of reduced charging: Research involving thousands of PHEVs indicates that even a small decrease in charging frequency can lead to significant increases in fuel consumption. For instance, reducing charging from every day to 9 out of 10 days increases fuel consumption by roughly 1.85 liters per 100 km and tailpipe CO2 emissions by about 43 grams per km. Conversely, increasing charging frequency beyond once per day has only a moderate effect, requiring charging on at least 20% of driving days to achieve notable improvements. A 10% increase in charging frequency above normal daily charging reduces fuel consumption by only about 0.08 liters per 100 km.
Additional Influencing Factors
- Battery capacity and daily usage: The optimal charging frequency depends on the PHEV’s battery size and the driver’s daily mileage. Larger batteries and shorter daily trips allow drivers to rely more on electric power, benefiting from more frequent charging. In contrast, if daily driving exceeds the electric-only range, more frequent charging is necessary to maintain fuel efficiency.
- Access to charging infrastructure: Availability and convenience of charging stations—home, workplace, or public—affect how often drivers charge their PHEVs. Easier access promotes more regular charging, enhancing fuel efficiency benefits.
Summary
- Charging a PHEV daily or almost daily maximizes the use of electric power, reducing gasoline use and improving fuel efficiency.
- Infrequent charging diminishes the electric driving share, increasing fuel consumption and emissions.
- Even slight reductions in charging frequency noticeably raise fuel consumption.
- Increasing charging frequency beyond daily shows diminishing returns but can still yield moderate efficiency gains.
- Factors such as battery size, daily driving distance, and charging infrastructure accessibility also shape how charging frequency impacts overall fuel efficiency.
Thus, to optimize fuel economy and emission benefits of a PHEV, frequent charging—ideally every day when the vehicle is driven—is essential.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-does-the-frequency-of-charging-affect-the-overall-fuel-efficiency-of-a-phev/
