Installing a dashcam in a hybrid or fully electric car (EV) seems very simple at first glance, and it often is. At least, if you only use the dashcam whilst driving. But do you want the camera to keep an eye on things whilst the car is parked? If so, you’ll face a specific challenge with a hybrid or EV.
How do you connect a dashcam in an EV or hybrid?
For standard use whilst on the road, the supplied car charger (cigarette lighter) or a USB cable is sufficient. As soon as you start or switch on the car, the dashcam receives power and starts recording immediately. When you switch off the car, the power supply stops and the camera switches off automatically.
The problem with parking mode
To use parking mode – where the dashcam continues to record or activates in response to movement or a shock whilst you’re parked – the camera must be continuously powered. In traditional petrol or diesel cars, a fixed power cable is often connected to the fuse box and the car’s battery for this purpose.
Unfortunately, this works differently in hybrid and electric cars, as the 12V starter battery is relatively small. Although an EV has a massive battery pack for propulsion, the electronics and accessories are powered by a traditional, yet often surprisingly small, 12V starter battery.
Risk of a flat battery : This small 12V battery is not designed to supply power for long periods whilst the car is switched off. A dashcam in parking mode can quickly drain the 12V battery, preventing the car from starting or causing fault warnings.
System shutdown : Many modern EVs completely cut off the power supply to accessories as a precaution when they detect that the 12V voltage is becoming too low.
The solution: A dedicated dashcam powerbank
To use parking mode safely without draining your car’s 12V battery, a dedicated dashcam powerbank is often the only reliable solution. Well-known examples include the Cobalt Powersafe Pro or models from Cellink .
How it works : The powerbank charges whilst you’re driving. As soon as you start the car, the powerbank charges itself within a short time via the car’s power supply. This can be done using the supplied car charger or, with a special hard-wired cable, directly to a live fuse in the car.
Connection to the powerbank : The hardwire kit – which is required for using parking mode and which you would normally connect directly to the car’s fuse box – is now connected to the powerbank. The Cobalt and Cellink powerbanks have a special connection for this purpose, which sets them apart from standard powerbanks with USB ports.
Power supply whilst stationary : As soon as you switch off the car, the powerbank sends a signal via the hardwire kit to the dashcam instructing it to switch to parking mode (it detects this because the incoming power has been cut off). It then seamlessly takes over the power supply to the dashcam.
Completely separate : Whilst parked, the dashcam does not draw any power from the car’s battery. You therefore never risk a flat starter battery or electronic faults.
Conclusion
Do you drive a hybrid or electric car and only want to use the dashcam whilst on the move? In that case, the supplied USB cable or car charger will serve you well. However, if you want to make the most of the parking mode, protect your car’s vulnerable 12V battery and opt for a dedicated dashcam powerbank such as the Cobalt Powersafe Pro or Cellink.