SO YOU WANT A BOLT EUV? HERE’S EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT KEEPING IT CHARGED

America is becoming obsessed with the electric vehicle (EV) lifestyle. It’s no wonder, especially considering the thousands in extra ownership costs we all face from rising fuel prices. The best way to avoid that pain at the pump is to eliminate your reliance on it, and that’s where finding a Chevy Bolt EUV for sale comes into the picture. As an EV owner, you’ll never need another drop of gas or diesel fuel. Instead, all you need is access to electricity.

Many would-be EV buyers don’t leap for fear of driving range issues and charging station access. If that’s you, we have good news: charging your EV is easier than you think. You may wonder how difficult it is to outfit your garage with a charging port. It can all seem overwhelming, but thanks to Chevy’s efforts, which include building a nationwide network of fast-charging stations and offering free home charger installation services, making the switch is a breeze.

EV technology is advancing at a blistering pace, and the big winners are open-minded Americans who are ready to leave combustion power in their rearview mirrors. Vehicles like the stylish Bolt EUV crossover make that decision even easier. Offering tons of cargo space, comfortable seating for five, and a promise that you’ll never need another oil change, the Bolt EUV offers a tantalizing alternative to a gas-powered SUV. All you need to know is how to charge up, so we’ve put together a guide to help you out.

What Is an EV and How Do They Work?

The concept of a vehicle that runs on electricity alone is almost hard to comprehend. We’ve enjoyed combustion engine technology for over a century. While hybrid motors and plug-in hybrid systems are still more common, a true EV only needs a battery charge to operate. With no combustion engine, you won’t need fluids like oil, so say goodbye to inconvenient oil changes forever. Imagine a life where you’ll never need to pump gas again!

The 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV offers up to 247 miles of driving range and the ability to plug into either 120 or 240-volt power for charging. Chevy’s flagship EV SUV has a lot riding on it. The Bolt EUV is designed for mass appeal. It delivers, with a low starting MSRP and cutting-edge lightweight Ultium battery technology designed to last years. Sitting beneath the cabin is a 65 kWh lithium-ion battery pack covered by an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty.

The Bolt EUV’s single electric motor delivers 200 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. All that power is instantly available when you press the throttle, like the feeling of starting a golf cart but with much more sophistication and acceleration capability. An onboard computer displays critical charging data on the infotainment screen, also available on the myChevrolet smartphone app, so drivers always know their remaining range.

Charging 101: Charging at Home

Every Bolt EUV comes with an innovative Dual Level Charge Cord. The cord includes an adapter that lets you charge your vehicle using a typical 120-volt home outlet or swap it out for a more powerful 240-volt electrical setup. Level 1 charging, which is the same as 120-volt charging, is slower but won’t require additional electrical work or hardware, but let’s face it: we’re all in a hurry, so speedy charging matters.

Chevy offers Bolt EUV buyers free home installation of a Level 2 charging outlet. In partnership with Qmerit, Chevy will help you locate a qualified electrician near your home who will handle equipment installation and the necessary electrical work required to support it. Chevy even covers any necessary permitting fees, and the Qmerit-sponsored electrician will pull all required permits on your behalf.

The Bolt EUV offers an EPA-estimated 247-mile driving range on a full charge. With Level 2 charging, you’ll get plugged in and fully charged faster. It takes an average of just 7.5 hours to achieve a full charge, so you just need to remember to plug in before you head to bed. When you wake up, your Bolt EUV is ready to take you wherever you need to go. Simply disconnect the plug and start your day.

Charging 102: Charging on the Go

It’s simple enough to charge your EV at home while you sleep, but what if your plans include a long-distance road trip? Charging station availability is a big concern for buyers considering an EV. Thoughts of being stranded on a desolate country road prevent many from moving forward. Luckily, Chevy has partnered with federal, state, and local governments to create a vast coast-to-coast network of over 40,000 public charging stations.

You’ll find charging stations in convenient spots along most major highways. Businesses are also working hard to provide chargers for customers, so if your travel plans include stopping overnight at a hotel, check to see if they offer access to overnight charging. Major retailers like Whole Foods and Wal-Mart are also building charging stations in their parking lots for your use, and because many public stations offer Level 2 and Level 3 charging speeds, you’ll get charged up fast.

What is level 3 charging? Also known as DC fast charging, it’s a type of electricity that doesn’t require conversion from an alternating current (AC)––which is the type of electricity found on level 1 and level 2 chargers and in your home––to direct current (DC), which is the electricity stored in your EV’s battery. The characteristics of DC power allow for faster charging because it eliminates the need for converting AC to DC power.

As for speed, DC fast charging is significantly faster than level 1 and level 2 charging; however, because DC fast charging stations require access to more power, there are only about 6,000 available. Chevy makes it easy to find a charging station thanks to the app-based Energy Assist system. The app tracks your battery’s range and helps you plan routes to include necessary charging stops, including letting you know how long until you have to stop and plug in.

Why You Should Adopt the EV Lifestyle

Do you remember when you first learned how to pump your own gas? Like any new skill, it may have been a bit confusing the first time, or you may have struggled to figure out how to open your car’s fuel door, operate the keypad and credit card reader, and insert the nozzle correctly without spilling fuel. Once you got the hang of it, you probably switched to autopilot. Most of us can pump gas almost automatically without thinking about it.

The same process holds true for charging an EV. You might be a little confused at first, but after a few tries, the process will feel completely natural. Most charging stations operate the same way using similar interfaces as those found on a traditional gas pump. Still, others utilize app-based technologies, like ApplePay and in-app stored credit card payments, to complete the sale. If you’re lucky, you might even travel to a city that offers free EV charging.

If driving range and charging are no longer worrisome, ask yourself what’s preventing you from switching to an EV. As EV technology advances, the line between traditional gas-powered cars and those powered by batteries is blurring. Performance stats on EVs often exceed what you’ll find on a vehicle equipped with a combustion engine, not to mention the environmentally friendly zero-emissions lifestyle that’s great for our planet.