How Long Does It Take to Charge a Chevy Bolt?

If you’re interested in upgrading to an electric vehicle in the Modesto area, consider the new Chevy Bolt! This sporty EV was the first-ever made by Chevrolet, and will soon be joined by the all-electric Chevy Silverado EV pickup truck as well as the all-electric Chevy Equinox and Chevy Blazer SUVs. It has a fully-electric range of 259 miles and can reach 60 miles an hour in just 6.5 seconds! If you’ve never owned an EV before, or if you just want a refresher course, you might want to know what your electric car charger options are. The team at Smith Chevrolet Of Turlock has everything you need to know in the guide below.

How to Charge Your Chevy Bolt

How long does it take to charge a Chevy Bolt? It depends on the kind of electric car charger you use. There are three total options: Level 1 (basic), Level 2 (fast), and Level 3 (super fast). 

Chevy Bolt Charge Time: Level 1 120-Volt Portable Charger 

Level 1 chargers use the very same three-pronged power outlets that you see everywhere, used to power everything from your phone to your microwave. Every Chevy Bolt comes with a Level 1 120-volt portable charger included. While Level 1 power outlets are the easiest to find, they’re also the slowest–charging a car takes quite a bit longer than charging a smartphone! A Level 1 electric car charger will charge your EV at a rate of around 4 miles per hour, meaning it will take around 65 hours (or 2.7 days) of continuous charging to reach its full range. 12 hours of overnight charge will get you around 48 miles, which is probably enough for your daily Los Banos commute, but any longer trips will take much longer to charge up. 

Chevy Bolt Charge Time: Level 2 240-Volt Charger

The most common type of electric car charger is Level 2, which delivers 240 volts. This type of charger needs to be professionally installed in your garage or front yard, but it’s well worth it. A Level 2 charger will charge your vehicle at a rate of around 25 miles per hour, meaning you can easily reach a full charge overnight if you plug in your car after dinner. If you just want to charge your EV for your commute to and from work, a Level 2 charger can get it to 48 miles in around 2 hours.

Chevy Bolt Charge Time: Level 3 DC Fast Charging

Finally, if you need to top off your vehicle outside the house, you have the option of Level 3 charging, also called DC fast charging. These chargers can be found at public charging stations all over the United States, and can charge your vehicle up to 100 miles in just 30 minutes! Be aware that the use of these public charging stations is not free, although some places have incentive programs that can reduce the cost.

Finding Public Charging Stations Near You

If you’re planning on taking a lot of long trips in your EV, it’s essential that you know where the most convenient public charging stations are. Luckily, the myChevrolet app does the work for you! Just open the app, navigate to the Energy Assist feature, and you’ll see a list of nearby charging stations organized by the most efficient route and the shortest wait time. 

Find Your Next Chevy EV at Smith Chevrolet Of Turlock!

Ready to learn more about the benefits of a Chevy Bolt? Contact our office to learn more, or stop by our dealership to set up a test drive around Ceres! You can also check out our finance center if you’re interested in getting a head start on the buying process.