I have overlaid that in the graph for comparison. Chevy did so much right with the Bolt, it's unfortunate they didn't bump up the DC fast charge rate to 75 kW to 100 kW with the larger battery in 2020. It is a much bigger car inside than out and does the job and more! And for the 2020 model year, Chevrolet updated the Bolt's battery pack, increasing its capacity without changing its size. The 2020 Chevy Bolt's -60-mph time is a zippy 6.5 seconds, but it feels even faster. Will GM Give 2017-2019 Bolts The 2020 DCFC Updates? (We target 10 miles of remaining range for safety.) Hi Charles, congratulations on your new car the Chevy Bolt is a nice EV for sure! ChargePoint station owners set their own fees, so always check the station details page in the app for the latest fee information. Receive pricing updates, shopping tips & more! Available styles include LT 4dr Hatchback (electric DD), and Premier 4dr Hatchback (electric DD). Once you have identified a used vehicle Get interesting investment ideas by Fred Lambert, ChargePoint Home WiFi Enabled Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger, Stay up to date with the latest content by, Electric Vehicle Price Guide best prices for dealers in the US, GM finally caved and announced that it will replace battery modules in all 2017 to 2022 Bolt EVs, Mercedes-Maybach unveils first all-electric model in the EQS 680 SUV, complete with its own fridge, Why you should check out the new 435-mile range Volkswagen ID.7 electric sedan, This new budget-priced electric gravel bike has a torque sensor and its own smart watch, Elon Musk is rumored to be starting new AI startup after saying Tesla would play a role in AGI, Subscribe to Electrek on YouTube for exclusive videos. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. If so, set the Target Charge Level based on your daily driving. No problems so far . Even on long trips where you might expect to make several DC fast charging stops along the way, starting with Hill Top Reserve on doesnt put you at that much of a disadvantage. Measuring in miles added is a moving target, of course, as available range depends heavily on factors like speed, terrain, driving style, and use of the HVAC system. More. Owning numerous Corvettes in the past, we cant stand cars with no zip. This post covers everything you need to know about charging the Chevy Bolt EV, plus exclusive insights into how people are actually charging their Bolt EVs out in the real world. Eric is an active member of the EV Advocates of Ventura County, a volunteer organization focused on increasing the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. Find aused certified pre-owned Chevroletfor sale. It's an enjoyable EV to drive. The 2017 and 2018 Bolt EV came with a feature called Hill Top Reserve, which limited the battery to 88% charge (according to Torque Pro readings an app that can read vehicle system information through the cars OBD2 port). If youre looking for a silver lining, however, this news keeps the Bolt EV comfortably in Electrify Americas lowest pricing tier. However, GM is slow to change, and will experience low sales because of this and then decry the results, saying once again that no one wants to buy electric cars. Hi Roy, thanks for reading and good question. DC Charging Could Still Be (Slightly) Faster in a 2020 Chevy Bolt EV This is naturally aided by very expensive gas prices, but also a genuine desire for people to try and improve the environment. Those are all things they were previously instructed not to do during the recall period, so it looks like the ownership experience will become more tolerable than before. In early December 2021, GM announced software updates that would at least make it safe for Bolts to be charged indoors again while they were awaiting their battery check. It will limit the state-of-charge to 80%, but it will remove other restrictions, like not being able to park inside garages. Is there a way to get Chevy to fix my 2017 so that it doesnt throttle back the charge? The app sends alerts when your car is done charging so you dont have to just sit there and wait. If GM even updated the charging speed to 65 kW, or even as low as 60kW, still well within the 1C rate of the battery, and not taper the charge as soon, this would make the 2021 Bolt far more appealing. This can be tough to pin down, but we assume for simplicity that the 240V power source will enable the vehicle's onboard charger to operate at full capacity, and that the battery is fully depleted and will be recharged to 100%. The current maximum range of the Chevrolet Bolt is a quite pleasing 259 miles on a single full charge. For example if I go from 25 to 45 by flooring it, does it really use much more power than if I just gently accelerate up to 45. Essentially, you can limit the amount you charge at more expensive chargers by only charging up to the amount you need to get to a more economical charger. I turn my Hill Top Reserve off on my trips north only because my first charging stop is typically 200 miles out and I usually arrive with less than 10% battery. What do the Bolt owners out there think? The result is an increase in total range to an impressive 259 miles. The Bottom Line: 2021 Should Be Better Don't tell that to an EV, Clean road tripping with ChargePoint: Canada edition, EVolution: Electric vehicles get a second chance. Smart chargers like ChargePoint Home even let youschedule charging at off-peak hours to save money. Chevy Bolts Sometimes Cant Detect Obvious Battery Problems. That puts all eyes on the 2021 Chevy Bolt EV and GMs plan for a more comprehensive reimagination of its flagship electric vehicle. Edmunds begins with a full battery charge and drives the vehicle on a mix of city and highway roads (approximately 60% city, 40% highway) until the battery is almost entirely empty. But the benefits, great range, fun, and solid build of the Bolt have put it at the top of my list for preferred commuter car. Privacy Policy | Legal | Supplier Code of Conduct. Not plush seating, but not uncomfortable either -- I don't have any issue with seats, and I've done days where I use up the 200+ miles. According to Chevrolet's " Getting to Know Your 2019 Bolt EV " publication, the purpose of the Target Charge Level is primarily economic. GM has been making improvements to the MyChevy app, and they are now working with Google to provide an operating system for their Infotainment screen. Tristan is a software developer who is passionate about eco-friendly lifestyles - and products, such as green cars! Streamline fleet operations and deliver a lower TCO. General Motors has announced a software update for Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV owners to address the electric vehicles battery-fire problem. With 238 miles of range and an affordable list price thats close to $30,000 after tax incentives, the Chevy Bolt EV is making it possible for many people to go electric without compromise. GM Chevy Bolt EV Fire Recall N212343880. If you absolutely need or want the range, set it to 100% battery, but try to limit the amount of time the car sits at 100%. This method of driving not only saves the brakes but increases range. This is great information, thank you for providing it. All EVs slow down their charging rate as the vehicle approaches 100%, and it's just not worth waiting once the charging rate tapers off unless you really have to. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them. That 10% battery increase translated into 21 more miles of EPA-rated driving range to 259 miles. For comparison, the Hyundai Kona Electric has a 64 kWh (usable) battery pack and delivers 258 miles of driving range, nearly identical to that of the Bolt EV. The recall itself began in November 2020, and quickly expanded to just about every Chevy Bolt ever made. Any chance that they can update software to increase the capacity the battery requests from the DCFC station? Actual Uses The Chevy Bolt EV accepts the universal connector on every standard Level 2 charging station, which adds about 25 miles of Range Per Hour. The visibility is great. Based on GMs marketing and owner support materials, Hill Top Reserve was designed for Bolt EV owners who live at the top of mountains or start their drives with significant descents or elevation decreases. Thats as long as the vehicle requests it, of course, which GM seems unwilling to let the current incarnation of the Bolt EV do. The 30-80 percent range refers to charging your Bolt to no more than 80 percent overnight, and allowing it to deplete no lower than 30 percent on any given day. We suspect it would have taken another hour to charge it from 80% to 100%. The base, These Are the 10 Cheapest Cars on Sale in 2023, 2024 BMW XM Label Red First Look: Silly Name, Big Power. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in. Soon, you might find yourself going to a specific store more often because it has EV charging. I recently used DCFC (CCS capable of pushing out 350kW) to check out the rate of charge between 29% and 59% to 80% and the max I got was about 40 kW, not even 55 kW. Just that 5% to 10% reserve significantly reduces battery stress. In todays blog, well first offer some background on the recall, and emphasize the official line from GM regarding charging of the Chevrolet Bolt. Charging the Chevy Bolt EV: Everything You Need to Know, use your app or card to authenticate and plug the connector into your car, EV Driver Spotlight: A cross-country road trip in a Volkswagen bus, Freedom isn't free? If the Bolt EV can maintain a higher charge rate even after 80%, the time could be cut further still, although this isnt indicated by any of the initial tests and seems unlikely given GMs generally cautious approach to battery management. It will limit the state-of-charge to 80%, but it will. Your email address will not be published. Find 2020 Chevrolet Bolt reviews, prices, specs and pictures on U.S. News & World Report. That's presumably why they've altered the charge profile on the 2020 Bolt EV to gradually decrease after 50-55%, as a Tesla does, rather than stepping down the power abruptly. There are benefits to both, depending on what you actually want. This is one of the strongest arguments in favor of buying an electric vehicle with more battery capacity than you might need in your day-to-day driving because it reduces the cyclic stress on the battery, increasing its longevity compared to smaller batteries under the same driving conditions. Now they dont do that second part; they just left the battery naturally decrease the current drawn once the charging reaches full voltage. VEHICLE TYPE front-motor, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback. All EV Info. It solves many of the qualms that EV shoppers have traditionally held. Get upfront price offers on local inventory. For Target Charge Level mode, operation is very simple. This month, the recall was expanded to include 2019 model Bolt EV and all 2020-2022 Bolt EV and Bolt EUV models. Current EV Range represents the estimated range of the car based on how much energy is currently in the battery. Our 2017 Bolt routinely charges to 260-285 miles. Owners of 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EVs who have not yet had a full battery replacement should contact their dealers, the automaker added. The one kernel of hope for prospective buyers (and returning lessees of earlier model years) lies in the 2020 model years charging profile. Im not sure whether this only happens when the battery is at or near 100% or whether it can occur at other battery charge levels. Pepsico Paves The Way of New Trucking with 21 New Tesla Semis, Tesla's Latest Move to Fulfill Over 1.5M Cybertruck Reservations, 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD Gets Ultra-Powerful ZR2 Off-Road Package, First 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray Raises $1.1 Million to Help Public School Children, Cannonball Run Advice for Car Enthusiasts, GM Invests in More Lithium as Important EVs Like the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado E are Coming to Market, General Motors Is Ditching Apple Music And Android Auto, Risking EV Market Share, Three Great Electrified Vehicles Buyers Cant Find In 2023, 2024 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 Gets the Duramax Turbo-Diesel Engine. Appreciate all the work you put in! I am very interested in eco-friendly lifestyles: from recycling to solar panels, and from heat pumps to you guessed it green cars! For the charge from 29% to 80%, it took about one hour and 20 minutes. As I explained in previous articles about the cars abilities, the Bolt EVs fast charge speed throttles back at around 50-55% state of charge, at which point it only accepts around 43kW, even on a high power charge station capable of delivering much more. We do like the high-definition cameras that Chevy added to 2020 models, but there is still no adaptive cruise control available. Many owners have flagged the Bolts early taper points as a reason for elongated fast charge stops. GM announced that it is starting to roll out a new software update to Chevy Bolt EVs as part of its recall due to battery fire risks. Pingback: Will GM Give 2017-2019 Bolts The 2020 DCFC Updates? GM dealers started replacing Bolt EV and EUV battery packs in early November. In addition to Level 2 stations, there are DC fast charging stations that are good for adding lots of mileage during quick stops, like on road trips. This functionality is fairly common in electric vehicles; however, it typically isnt an option for most other battery electric devices. Average figures for charging on ChargePoint show that the Bolt EV lets you go twice as far as a gas vehicle for half the price: the average gas vehicle travels only 24 miles on a $2.38gallon of gas, while it costs just $1.18 to go 50 miles in the Bolt EV on a Level 2 charger. So youll save 10 minutes on charging if you drive between 10 and 85%. The upshot here is that the 2020 Chevy Bolt EV is no faster to charge in the first half of its battery pack than earlier models, but should shave some a few minutes off the overall charge time to 80%. The Bolt can now accept full power for a longer period of time, especially under challenging, temperatures when the battery pack is cold. Awesome data! For 2020, GM nudged up the range of the Bolt EV by about exactly that amount to 259 miles, from the previous 238 through the use of a new, more energy-dense lithium-ion cell from LG. The Chevrolet Bolt is an excellent example of the strengths of an electric vehicle platform. In August,GM finally caved and announced that it will replace battery modules in all 2017 to 2022 Bolt EVs. While the recall to replace the battery packs remains in place, the new update will let owners park in garages again, charge indoors overnight, and run their vehicles below the 70-mile range threshold. Why they continue to shoot themselves in the foot is beyond me. This change is also reflected in GMs marketing materials. It might be easy to say, hey, just set the Target Charge Limit to 50%, but if your regular driving uses 40% to 45% of your battery, you are adding stress by discharging down below 10% battery. you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find Electrify America and Trip Planning: How To Travel Effectively. I drove for more than 30 minutes and never touched the brake. 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The specs say "7.2 kW onboard charging module", but the instrument panel sometimes climbs to "8 kW" while charging. During the uncertain times following a recall, its best not to push the problematic component too hard, and in this case, thats the battery. Get EV charging for any single- or multifamily residence. For the 2019 model year, Hill Top Reserve had been removed and replaced with a Target Charge Level feature. Is it Bad for the Bolt Battery for Me to Charge it Full Every Day? Really, charge it to whatever you want and drive it however you want. It features outstanding efficiency, cutting-edge technology and amped-up style. As youll see from the video below and other DC fast charge sessions documented on my channel, thats about the same as weve seen in our 2017 Chevy Bolt EV on 150+ kW stations in Massachusetts and upstate New York. Another good idea with the Chevy Bolt is to make use of the cars Target Charge Level mode (or Hilltop Reserve mode on 2017-2018 models). BIG IMPROVEMENT. GM told Electrek that their research points to this solution mitigating the fire risk while giving owners a more normal experience until they can replace the battery modules. Find aused certified pre-owned Chevrolet Bolt EVfor sale. These small changes would have zero effect on sales. Get help with implementation, financing options and expert support. Zippy as hell, rock solid handling with low center of gravity, I've had the car up at 90MPH and it feels like my old BMW 3 series. It also came with restrictions like asking owners not to charge overnight or park inside after charging. (start/stop) battery charge points. I assume that all of the data that GM collected showed them that it was an unnecessary precaution. Even with increased battery capacity and a bump in range, initial tests show that the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV won't achieve any increase on the maximum power it can pull from a DC fast-charge station. Range delivers as advertised and further. Of course, the same rule as Hill Top Reserve applies here. Steve Birkett is an electric vehicle advocate at Plug & Play EV. sale near. The LT comes well-equipped with standard features. Watch how a 2017 Chevy Bolt EV charges to 80% on Electrify America in the video below (Please subscribe to Torque News YouTube Channel for daily automotive news and analysis). The recall itself involves a fix both in hardware and software. A Level 2 station adds about 25 miles of Range Per Hour, so you can easily fill up your Bolt EV overnight. How Long Does it Take to Charge a Chevy Bolt? Electric Vehicle News, Reviews and Analysis, The Kia Niro EV Is Not Selling As Well As Its Competitors In The US, That May Change Soon. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In this first section, well cover the recall, what happened, and the guidelines issued by GM regarding charging of those Chevy Bolts that were awaiting new battery replacements. Chevy Bolt EV Gets More Range for 2020 Range, Charging, and Battery Life While it takes about 10 hours to fully charge the Bolt's battery using a 240-volt outlet, the fast-charging. find cheap prew-owned vehicles for sale near you. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Future Improvements to Target Charge Level Software Nov 22, 2021. 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