What plug does a Chevy Bolt use?
In North America, the Chevy Bolt uses a combined charging inlet that accepts both the SAE J1772 plug for AC charging and the CCS Combo 1 plug for DC fast charging.
The Bolt’s charging port is designed as a single inlet that handles both AC and DC charging. At home or at Level 2 charging stations, you’ll use a J1772 connector; at DC fast charging stations, you’ll use a CCS Combo 1 connector. In Europe, the Ampera-e (the European cousin of the Bolt) uses CCS Combo 2 for DC fast charging and Type 2 for AC charging. The underlying principle is a shared port with different connectors for different charging modes.
Plug types and how the Bolt accepts them
The Bolt uses a single, combined charging inlet that accepts both the standard AC plug and the DC fast charging plug. Here’s how it works:
- J1772 (SAE): used for AC charging at Level 1 or Level 2 (roughly 120V/15A or 240V/32A in North America).
- CCS Combo 1 (SAE CCS1): used for DC fast charging in North America, adds two DC pins to the J1772-compatible connector.
In practice, you’ll plug a J1772 plug into the port for home/garage charging and a CCS Combo 1 plug for DC fast charging at compatible stations.
Charging speeds and practical details
Different charging modes yield different speeds, and the Bolt’s onboard hardware sets the ceiling:
- AC Level 2 charging: up to about 7.2 kW (240V, 32A) with the typical onboard charger, depending on trim and cable.
- DC fast charging: up to 50 kW using CCS Combo 1, capable of charging from roughly 0 to about 80% in tens of minutes under optimal conditions.
- AC Level 1 charging: standard household 120V outlet, much slower (roughly 1–2 kW), mainly for convenience when no other options are available.
These speeds can be affected by battery temperature, state of charge, and charger capability. The port supports both the standard SAE J1772 plug for AC and CCS Combo 1 for DC fast charging in North American models.
Europe and global variations
For consumers outside North America, the Ampera-e (the European cousin of the Bolt) uses CCS Combo 2 for DC fast charging and Type 2 for AC charging, with the same principle of a single inlet handling both through appropriate connectors or adapters.
In summary, the Chevy Bolt’s charging plug is a combined system in North America (J1772 for AC and CCS Combo 1 for DC), with Europe using CCS Combo 2 and Type 2 for AC for Ampera-e variants.
Summary: The Bolt’s charging port supports two main standards: SAE J1772 for AC charging and CCS Combo 1 for DC fast charging, via a single inlet, with regional differences between North America and Europe.
Note: Always check your vehicle’s manual or GM dealer for the exact configuration and the most up-to-date specs for your model year, as charging capabilities can vary by model year and market.
