Chevrolet has been a pioneer in the world of electric vehicles, with the Bolt having the distinction of being one of the first affordable electric vehicles to hit the market. Since then, Chevrolet has designed the modular Ultium platform, and debuted more EV models, with additional models in the works. But being a pioneer means that there are aspects of these vehicles that people still have questions about, specifically when it comes to charging. So we put this guide together to help demystify Chevrolet EV charging.
EV Charging Levels Explained
The easiest and fastest way to recharge your EV is by using a dedicated charging station. But when one isn't around, there is the Dual Level Charge Cord Set. This allows you to plug into preexisting outlets, either a 120-volt standard outlet or a 240-volt appliance-style outlet. The charging rate from these isn't all that high, 1.4 kW for the 120-volt option or 7.7 kW for the 240-volt option, but the usefulness of a cord like this can't be denied. Think of it like the emergency gas can that you'd use for a gasoline vehicle.
Level 1 Charging
Level 1 charging is charging from a regular 120-volt outlet. It's easy, since you probably already have these outlets in your garage, and even if you don't, they're not exactly difficult to come by. However, this type of charging is very slow, usually only giving you 2 to 50 miles of range per hour of charging. This kind of speed is obviously a big drawback, but the ease of being able to use any outlet anywhere means that there is still definitely a use for Level 1 charging.
Level 2 Charging
Like Level 1, Level 2 is defined primarily by the voltage, in this case 240 volts. This type of charging is the most common, making up essentially all home charging stations as well as a majority of public charging stations. Because voltage is the only thing that makes charging Level 2, actual rates for charging can vary a lot. Even if we're just talking about Chevrolet vehicles, a charger that adds 23 miles of range per hour and one that adds 58 miles would still both be considered Level 2. So it's important to check these things before planning how you'll charge your EV.
Level 3 Charging
The fastest type of charging, and it's not even close. Often called DC fast charging, the voltage/amperage of these chargers are so great that home electrical systems can't handle them. For a vehicle like the Silverado EV, which has an especially large battery pack, Level 3 charging can add hundreds of miles of range in just a half hour. This is incredibly convenient for things like road trips, but using Level 3 charging too often can shorten your battery life. And since you can always just leave your vehicle plugged into a Level 2 charger whenever you're home, it's not such a big deal that Level 3 home charging isn't possible.
Home EV Charging Options From Chevrolet
Dual Level Charge Cord Set
The easiest and fastest way to recharge your EV is by using a dedicated charging station. But when one isn't around, there is the Dual Level Charge Cord Set. This allows you to plug into preexisting outlets, either a 120-volt standard outlet or a 240-volt appliance-style outlet. The charging rate from these isn't all that high, 1.4 kW for the 120-volt option or 7.7 kW for the 240-volt option, but the usefulness of a cord like this can't be denied. Think of it like the emergency gas can that you'd use for a gasoline vehicle.
GM PowerUP
This is what we're talking about when we say home charging stations. The GM PowerUP is a Level 2 charger that can charge at 11.5 kW. What makes this an especially good charger is that it can just plug into an existing 204-volt outlet, like the Dual Level Charge Cord, but it allows for a faster charging rate when you do. You can also have it hardwired (which requires professional installation) if you prefer, or if you don't have an available 240-volt outlet, but just having the choice is more than most home chargers offer.
GM PowerUP+
The GM PowerUP+ comes with an even quicker charging rate, 19.2 kW. That's enough to add 58 miles of range to the Equinox EV, for example, per hour of charging. The tradeoff is that there is no 240-volt option, it has to be hardwired, and therefore has to be professionally installed. But since quite a lot of people don't have 240-volt outlets in their garages, or were planning on getting a hardwired charging station anyway, this really isn't going to be a deterrent for a lot of buyers. If you have a longer commute, or are unable to leave your vehicle plugged in for longer periods, the GM PowerUP+ is a smart purchase.
