What voltage is a Chevy Volt charging?
The Chevy Volt charges from standard household 120-volt power or 240-volt Level 2 power, using a J1772 connector. The onboard AC charger is rated at about 3.3 kW, and the Volt does not support DC fast charging. In practical terms, you can plug into a regular outlet for overnight charging or use a Level 2 station for faster top-ups, depending on the model year.
Voltage, power, and connectors
The Volt supports two main AC charging modes and uses a J1772 connector for Level 2 charging. Here is a quick breakdown of what to expect in typical setups.
Before listing the charging options, here is a concise look at how the two primary charging voltages operate.
- Level 1 charging (120 V AC): Uses a standard household outlet (NEMA 5-15). The Volt’s onboard charger delivers about 1.4 kW of power in this mode (roughly 12 A at 120 V).
- Level 2 charging (240 V AC): Uses a 240 V AC supply with a J1772 connector. The onboard charger can supply up to about 3.3 kW (roughly 13.8 A at 240 V).
- No DC fast charging: The Volt does not include a DC fast charging port; charging is AC-only.
Concluding paragraph: This setup means you get convenient overnight charging on a standard outlet or much faster fills at a Level 2 station, but you should not expect DC fast charging with the Volt.
Practical charging times
Charging times vary by model year (Gen 1 vs Gen 2) and battery state of charge. The following are rough estimates to give you a sense of the scale.
Before the list: Here are typical time ranges for Level 1 and Level 2 charging.
- Level 1 (120 V): Approximately 12–18 hours to fully recharge from a low state of charge, depending on the battery size and efficiency losses.
- Level 2 (240 V): Roughly 4–6 hours for a full recharge from a low state of charge at the standard 3.3 kW onboard rate.
Concluding paragraph: In practice, Level 2 charging is usually a few hours for a full or near-full recharge, while Level 1 is best for overnight charging or when Level 2 isn’t available.
Summary
Key takeaway: The Chevy Volt charges via AC power at 120 V (Level 1) or 240 V (Level 2) using a J1772 connector, with a maximum onboard charging rate around 3.3 kW. There is no DC fast charging capability. Expect longer, overnight charging with Level 1 and several-hour top-ups with Level 2, depending on the battery size and current state of charge.
