Each GM EV now has entry to 17,800 Tesla Superchargers for quick charging, with the lone exception being the Nineteen Nineties EV1. 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 mentioned 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 may have entry however [some] would require an replace on the supplier,” GM expertise spokesperson Sanaz Marbley wrote to InsideEVs. “These clients 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 challenge. Nonetheless, GM encourages all Bolt homeowners to test with their supplier to see if they will want the replace.
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Marbley says sellers can begin scheduling appointments instantly. On condition that it might take a bit in your adapter to come back—particulars on easy methods to order right here—the software program replace seemingly received’t be what slows you down. Nonetheless, it’s a hurdle Hummer, Lyriq, Silverado, Blazer, Equinox and Sierra EV homeowners received’t need to cope with.
It in all probability shouldn’t be too stunning to be taught 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 automobiles have broad over-the-air (OTA) replace capabilities, the Bolt has acquired few OTA patches, and it’s no shock to be taught {that a} extra substantial software program improve requires a supplier go to. It is excellent news that the early Bolts will not want one, however with an over-five-year run it looks like just a few mannequin years have some compatibility issues that must 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 brief cables and stalls designed purely for automobiles 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 mentioned that it’s okay for non-Tesla EVs to double park if it’s obligatory to make use of the charger.
The mixture of double parking and gradual charging speeds will seemingly make the Bolt an unwelcome sight at a Supercharger. After we did a charging check 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 advocate charging from 0-100% in any EV, however that’s very true within the Bolt. The final two occasions 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 individuals can and do street journey these items. The facility of the charger is never a difficulty, so the supply of 250-kW Superchargers received’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 when you’ve got a 2019 or 2020 Bolt, ensure that your first cease is the dealership. Sellers are accepting appointments beginning immediately, and when you get the software program replace and the adapter, you have to be good to go.
