How much does it cost to fully charge a Chevy Bolt?
The typical full-charge cost for a Chevy Bolt in the United States is roughly $8 to $17, depending on your electricity rate and the vehicle’s battery size. Costs vary by location, charging method, and efficiency losses during charging.
To understand why and how these costs appear, it helps to know the Bolt’s battery capacity, how charging works, and how much energy is lost in the process. The Bolt’s standard battery is about 60 kWh, and the car’s onboard charger and charging equipment determine how long and how much power must be drawn from the grid to reach a full 100% charge.
Charging basics that affect cost
These items summarize the Bolt’s charging specifications that influence how much you pay to reach a full charge.
- Battery capacity: roughly 60 kWh gross with usable energy around 56–60 kWh depending on model year and health.
- Onboard charger: up to 7.2 kW maximum for Level 2 charging (240 V).
- DC fast charging: supports up to 55 kW CCS, useful for rapid top-ups on longer trips.
- Charging losses: expect around 8–15% energy lost in the process, so energy drawn from the wall is higher than the energy stored in the battery.
- Typical charge times: Level 2 charging from near empty to full usually takes about 8–9 hours; DC fast charging to 80% can take roughly 30–40 minutes, with diminishing returns after about 80–90%.
Knowing these figures helps you estimate how much energy you need to buy from the grid and, therefore, how much a full charge will cost in your area.
Estimated full-charge costs at common electricity rates
To estimate cost, assume a usable battery of about 60 kWh and typical charging losses requiring roughly 66–67 kWh to be drawn from the wall to reach a full 100% in the battery. Multiply by your local price per kWh to get a ballpark figure.
- At $0.12 per kWh: about $8.00
- At $0.15 per kWh: about $10.00
- At $0.20 per kWh: about $13.33
- At $0.25 per kWh: about $16.67
These figures illustrate typical ranges. Real-world costs can be higher or lower depending on taxes, demand charges, time-of-use rates, and whether you use off-peak charging or a special EV plan.
Additional considerations and tips
Charging strategy
Battery health and longevity can be affected by aggressive charging patterns. Many drivers prefer charging to 80–90% for daily use and only full charges when needed for trips, which can also influence expected costs and time spent charging.
Where you charge matters
Home electricity is usually the cheapest source for a full charge. Public charging or DC fast charging tends to be more expensive per kWh, though it offers speed as a trade-off. Time-of-use plans can further reduce costs if you can charge during off-peak hours.
Summary
In short, a full charge for a Chevy Bolt typically costs between about $8 and $17 in the U.S., depending on the rate you pay for electricity and the charging method you use. With a ballpark 60 kWh usable battery and modest charging losses, you can estimate costs by multiplying the wall energy (roughly 66–67 kWh) by your local per-kWh rate. For many owners, home Level 2 charging at off-peak times offers the best balance of cost and convenience.
