The all-electric Chevy Bolt is one of the most affordable and practical EVs available today. It combines an accessible starting price of $31,995 with a generous driving range of 259 miles. The key to the Bolt’s long range is its large battery pack, which holds between 60 and 66 kilowatt-hours (depending on the exact year and model). But how long does it take to charge a Chevy Bolt?
How to calculate Chevy Bolt’s charging time
Calculating the Bolt’s battery charging time is surprisingly easy. Estimating charging times is simply a matter of knowing the size of the battery pack and the charging rate.
- 2021 Bolt Battery Size: 65 kilowatt-hours (up from the first-generation Bolt’s 60 kWh
- Bolt Charging Rate: Commonly 7.2 kilowatts using a Level 2 charging station
So, how long does it take to charge a Chevy Bolt? In a nutshell, the charging time is calculated by dividing the number of kilowatt-hours (65) by the kilowatts (7.2). Here’s the answer:
- Charging a Bolt from empty to full takes about 8.5 to 9 hours.
Keep in mind that nearly all EV charging takes place at home, where using a JuiceBox Level 2 smart charger allows you to conveniently schedule when the electricity starts to flow—regardless of when you plug in the car. With a smart charging station, you can rest assured that the Bolt’s battery will be fully charged and ready to go every morning. And JuiceBox also allows EV drivers to take advantage of the best electricity rates and the cleanest energy available.
What type of charger does a Chevy Bolt use?
Here’s a bit more background on the calculation. If you plug in a Bolt for one hour using a 7.2-kW charger, you’ll add 7.2 kilowatt-hours of energy to the battery. In other words, 7.2 kilowatts of power for one hour equals 7.2 kilowatt-hours of energy added to the battery.
To understand how much range is provided by those 7.2 kilowatt-hours, use this rule-of-thumb:
- Every kilowatt-hour provides about 4 miles of driving range. (Of course, your mileage may vary.)
That means for the 7.2 kW Bolt, you can add up to about 28 miles of range per hour of charging via a Level 2 JuiceBox charging station.
Are there faster and slower home charging methods for the Chevy Bolt?
Chevrolet and other EV-makers are not standing still with their charging technologies. The Bolt EUV—a sport utility version of the Bolt —has increased the charging rate to 11 kilowatts, and this faster rate is also available as an option for the latest Bolt compact hatchback. Take note: A capable Level 2 charging station with adequate amperage, like the JuiceBox 48, is required to achieve that full 11-kW rate.
The jump from a 7.2-kW charger to an 11-kW charger, of course, adds more electricity per hour.
- At 11 kW, the Bolt fully charges in about 6 hours.
- The faster Level 2, 240-volt charger adds about 40 miles of range in an hour.
Regardless of which Bolt or other EV you drive today, the smart move is to buy a connected, smart charging station with the greatest power. Buying a JuiceBox 40 or 48 today will ensure that you can have the fastest charging speed for many years to come. In other words: future-proof!