Nearly each GM EV now has entry to 17,800 Tesla Superchargers for quick charging. Meaning the Chevy Bolt—with its modest 55-kW most charging fee—can now faucet into Tesla’s community of 250-kW chargers. There’s only one hurdle some homeowners should overcome.
(Correction 9/18 10:41 A.M. EST: This story initially stated that each one Bolts would require the replace, based mostly on our dialog with GM. On 9/18, an proprietor knowledgeable us and GM confirmed that solely sure 2019 and 2020 Bolts would require the replace. The textual content has been up to date to mirror this. We remorse the error.)
“Bolts could have entry however [some] would require an replace on the seller,” GM know-how spokesperson Sanaz Marbley wrote to InsideEVs. “These prospects will get an e-mail about it on launch day telling them extra.”
The replace is required for choose 2019 and 2020 Bolts. Bolts from different years ought to work with out situation. Nonetheless, GM encourages all Bolt homeowners to examine with their seller to see if they will want the replace.
Basic Motors
Marbley says sellers can begin scheduling appointments instantly. On condition that it might take a bit on your adapter to return—particulars on easy methods to order right here—the software program replace seemingly gained’t be what slows you down. Nonetheless, it’s a hurdle Hummer, Lyriq, Silverado, Blazer, Equinox and Sierra EV homeowners gained’t must take care of.
It most likely shouldn’t be too stunning to study that there’s an additional step for the Bolt. The Bolt entered manufacturing in 2016, and as GM’s first long-range EV, it used an older electrical and software program structure that predates the corporate’s new Ultium platform. Whereas Ultium autos have broad over-the-air (OTA) replace capabilities, the Bolt has obtained few OTA patches, and it’s no shock to study {that a} extra substantial software program improve requires a seller go to. It is excellent news that the early Bolts will not want one, however with an over-five-year run it looks as if just a few mannequin years have some compatibility issues that have to be addressed with the replace.
The Bolt was additionally designed with the cost door on the entrance left of the automobile. That’s a typical location for charging ports. Nonetheless, Tesla’s Supercharger community was infuriatingly constructed out with quick cables and stalls designed purely for autos with their cost doorways on the driver-side rear of the automobile. Meaning Bolt homeowners should park in a single stall and use the charging deal with of the adjoining Supercharger. It’s inelegant, however don’t fear. Tesla has stated that it’s okay for non-Tesla EVs to double park if it’s essential to make use of the charger.
The mix of double parking and sluggish charging speeds will seemingly make the Bolt an unwelcome sight at a Supercharger. After we did a charging take a look at in 2022, a Bolt EV took 73 minutes to cost from 10-80%. That’s about twice so long as it takes a Mannequin 3 to do the identical, and the Bolt will take twice as many stalls. We don’t suggest charging from 0-100% in any EV, however that’s very true within the Bolt. The final two instances we tried it, it took over 2 hours.
However that doesn’t make fast-charging the Bolt ineffective. Chevy says that homeowners can get 100 miles of vary in half-hour of charging, which suggests you’ll be able to journey about two hours between half-hour stops. It’s not perfect—it’s 2016 tech—however folks can and do highway journey this stuff. The facility of the charger isn’t a difficulty, so the supply of 250-kW Superchargers gained’t change a lot when it comes to cease time. With 17,800 extra dependable stalls to entry along with the present community, it’ll be simpler for Bolt homeowners to plan routes that contain shorter, extra frequent stops.
However you probably have a 2019 or 2020 Bolt, ensure that your first cease is the dealership. Sellers are accepting appointments beginning right this moment, and when you get the software program replace and the adapter, you ought to be good to go.