How Long to Charge a Bolt?
The Chevrolet Bolt EV is an all-electric hatchback that offers practicality and an EPA-estimated driving range of up to 259 miles on a full charge.
With no gasoline engine, charging the Bolt EV’s battery is essential to keep it powered for daily use. But how long does it actually take to charge? Read on to learn all about Bolt charging times, methods, and tips for maximizing efficiency.
What is a Bolt EV?
Brief History
The Bolt EV first went on sale in 2016 as part of General Motors’ push into mass-market electric vehicles. It was designed from the outset as an affordable, long-range EV with plenty of interior space.
The Bolt has seen continuous improvements over the years, with various trim upgrades and even a crossover SUV variant called the Bolt EUV now available.
Read More : How Long Does It Take a Chevy Bolt to Charge?
Key Specs and Features
- Range: EPA-estimated 259 miles
- Battery: 66 kWh lithium-ion
- Motors: Single permanent-magnetic drive motor with 200 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque
- Charging: Support for Level 1, Level 2, and DC fast charging
- Driver aids: Available advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, automatic high beams and more
Bolt EV Battery Basics
To understand Bolt charging times, it helps to first cover some key details about its battery system.
Battery Size and Type
The current Bolt EV uses a large 66 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. This gives it an EPA-estimated 259 miles of driving range on a full charge. The liquid-cooled battery is made up of hundreds of smaller cell modules and takes up a significant amount of space under the vehicle floor.
Driving Range
How far you can drive on a full Bolt EV charge depends on several variables. The EPA testing environment provides an estimate of 259 miles.
But in real-world conditions, driving range is affected by speed, climate and temperature, route terrain, accessory use, vehicle load and more. Careful driving can achieve 200+ miles while aggressive acceleration and high speeds will reduce overall range per charge.
Charging the Bolt EV Battery
There are a few different methods available for charging the Bolt EV battery. Charging times vary significantly between them based on the electrical power delivery.
Level 1 Charging
This refers to basic charging using a standard 120V household outlet. All Bolt EVs come with a portable charge cord that plugs into a regular wall socket.
Level 1 provides about 4 miles of range per hour of charging time. This can fully recharge an empty battery overnight in around 59 hours.
While very slow compared to other methods, Level 1 charging is easy and convenient when no higher-voltage sources are available. It operates at 1.4 kW maximum power.
Level 2 Charging
Level 2 uses dedicated 240V EV supply equipment (EVSE) charging stations. Most public chargers and many home installations utilize 208-240V power to deliver much faster charging:
- 7.2 kW: Up to 25 miles of range per charging hour
- 11.5 kW: Up to 37 miles of range per charging hour
With maximum 11.5 kW charging, a Bolt EV battery can charge from near-empty to full in about 10 hours. This makes Level 2 the minimum recommended home charging setup for Bolt EV owners.
DC Fast Charging
The fastest charging uses commercial direct-current (DC) fast charging stations. The Bolt EV supports both SAE Combo and CHA demo DC fast charge connectors.
DC fast charge provides:
- Up to 100 miles of range in 30 minutes
- Up to 180 miles of range in 60 minutes
- Full charge in around 60-90 minutes
The charging rate depends on the charger’s power delivery and tapers as the battery reaches higher levels.
Typical Charging Times
Here is a summary of approximate Bolt EV charging times from 0-100% battery capacity:
| Charger Type | Time Needed |
|---|---|
| Level 1 (120V outlet) | 59 hours |
| Level 2 (240V, 7.2 kW) | 10 hrs |
| Level 2 (240V, 11.5 kW) | 9 hrs |
| DC Fast Charge | 1-1.5 hours |
Factors That Affect Charging Times
While the above gives typical charging durations, there are a few key factors that can impact how long it actually takes in real-world conditions.
Battery Temperature
The Bolt EV battery uses an active liquid cooling and heating system to keep the temperature in an optimal range while charging. In very hot or cold ambient conditions, more time may be required to change the battery temp before rapid charging can occur.
Battery Age and Health
All lithium-ion batteries degrade slightly over their lifespan, gradually losing some charging capacity. A brand new Bolt EV may charge a little faster than one that has aged 5-10 years. But the differences are modest if batteries are well-maintained.
Charger Power/Voltage
Not all chargers deliver their maximum rated power, especially public DC fast charging stations. Older or shared electrical circuits often cannot provide a full 7.2 kW or 11.5 kW to Level 2 chargers either. So actual charge times can end up longer than estimated.
Maximizing Charging Efficiency
While charge times are constrained by equipment ratings, there are ways Bolt EV owners can maximize efficiency.
Preheating/Cooling Battery
You can program your Bolt EV to precondition its battery temperature while connected to a charger, optimizing it for faster charging once you start your drive. This is highly recommended in very cold climates.
Charging Techniques
Most experts recommend frequent charges to a lower battery level (40-80%), rather than depleting to near-empty and using fewer charge cycles.
This avoids putting strains from extreme high and low states of charge on the battery. It may offer slightly faster average charge times as well.
Charger Maintenance
Make sure your charging equipment and electrical circuits are properly rated and maintained. Faulty EVSE stations, bad power lines, GFCI trips, or other electrical issues can all make charging much slower or unreliable.
Conclusion
Hopefully this breakdown gives you a better idea of Bolt EV charging requirements. To recap the key points:
- Bolt EVs use a large 66 kWh lithium-ion battery offering 200+ miles of range.
- Level 1 charging from a wall outlet is slow at about 4 miles of range per hour.
- Level 2 charging provides 10-25 miles per hour charging suitable for home use.
- DC fast charging can deliver up to 100 miles in 30 minutes, with a full charge taking 60-90 minutes.
- Many factors like temperature and equipment condition affect charge rate.
Understanding the basics of Bolt EV charging prepares you to own one of Chevrolet’s most popular modern electric vehicles. Proper charging care ensures your Bolt operates reliably for years to come.
FAQs
What is the slowest charging method for the Bolt EV?
The slowest charging method is using a standard 120V household wall outlet, also called Level 1 charging. This adds only around 4 miles of driving range per hour of charging.
What charger does the Bolt EV come with?
All new Bolt EVs includes a portable 120V charge cord that plugs into a regular wall outlet for Level 1 charging. Faster Level 2 or DC fast charging equipment is optional and generally purchased separately.
How long should my Bolt EV battery last?
The Bolt EV battery warranty covers 8 years or 100,000 miles. But most lithium-ion packs last well over 10 years and 150,000+ miles if properly maintained. The range and charge rate will decrease slightly over time.
Does cold weather affect Bolt EV charge times?
Yes, extremely cold outside temperatures below 0°F can increase the time needed to precondition the battery for fast charging. But allowing the vehicle to preheat while plugged in will help mitigate slower winter charging.
