What home charger does the Chevrolet Bolt need?
| Model years | Trims | Charger | Breaker |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023, 2027 | all trims | 48 A | 60 A |
| 2019-2021 | all trims | 32 A | 40 A |
It depends on the year. A 2019 to 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV has a 7.2 kW onboard charger and needs only a 32 A charger on a 40 A breaker. The 2022 and 2023 Bolt EV and Bolt EUV, and the new 2027 Bolt, accept 11.5 kW and want 48 A on a 60 A breaker.
Why the amperage matters
Putting a 48 A charger on an early Bolt does no harm, but it charges no faster than a 32 A unit would, since the car takes 32 A and stops. On a 48 A Bolt the full-size charger is worth having: a 2027 adds 41 miles of range per hour at 48 A and 34 on a 40 A unit.
Charging time by model year
| Year | EPA range | Level 2, miles per hour | Level 2, empty to full | 120 V, miles per hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 262 mi | 41 | 6.4 h | 5.1 |
| 2023 | 247 to 259 mi | 39 to 41 | 6.3 h | 4.9 to 5.1 |
| 2022 | 247 to 259 mi | 39 to 41 | 6.3 h | 4.9 to 5.1 |
| 2021 | 259 mi | 25 | 10.3 h | 5 |
| 2020 | 259 mi | 25 | 10.3 h | 5 |
| 2019 | 238 mi | 25 | 9.4 h | 5.1 |
Level 2 figures assume a charger that supplies the car's full rate. Where a year shows a range, it spans that year's trims.
GM upgraded the onboard charger with the 2022 refresh, and the difference is large. A 2020 or 2021 Bolt needs 10.3 hours to fill from empty at 25 miles of range per hour, while a 2022 or 2023 does it in 6.3 hours at up to 41. The 2027 Bolt keeps the faster charger and takes 6.4 hours.
What the install involves
Match the circuit to the car you own. A 32 A charger runs on a 40 A breaker and can plug into a NEMA 14-50 outlet, which suits an early Bolt. A 48 A charger needs a 60 A breaker and must be hardwired. If you might move to a newer Bolt later, wiring for 48 A now saves a second job.
- 48 A charger: 60 A breaker, hardwired, because no household receptacle is rated for a 48 A charger.
- 32 A charger: 40 A breaker, NEMA 14-50 outlet on a 40 A breaker, or hardwired.
- Charge port, 2019-2023: J1772. Every non-Tesla EV sold in North America through 2024 uses the J1772 connector for AC Level 2 charging.
- Charge port, 2027: J1772. From 2025 the industry is moving to the NACS port, and makers switch at different times. Some of these cars have a J1772 port and some have NACS with an adapter, so look at the port on your own car before choosing a charger's plug.
Chargers that fit the Chevrolet Bolt
Smallest adequate unit first. Every amp above what the car accepts is capacity it never uses.
48 A, for the 2022-2023, 2027 Bolt all trims
Energy monitoring built in. Hardwire it for the full 48 A.
Compact unit, good for tight garages.
Adjustable from 16 A to 50 A in the app, which helps if your panel is tight.
32 A, for the 2019-2021 Bolt all trims
No home unit in this list is built at exactly 32 A, so these are the smallest that cover it. The car draws only what it can take.
App scheduling and adjustable current from 16 A to 40 A.
Plugs into an existing 14-50 outlet, no hardwiring.
Rugged metal enclosure, built for outdoor use.
Worth having as well
Common questions
- Does a used 2020 Chevrolet Bolt need a different charger from a 2023?
- It can share one, but it only draws 32 A. A 2023 takes 48 A, so a 48 A charger suits both.
- Why does the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt charge so much faster at home than the 2021?
- Its onboard charger went from 7.2 kW to 11.5 kW, which cut a full charge from 10.3 hours to 6.3.
- What charge port does the Chevrolet Bolt use?
- The 2019 to 2023 cars use J1772. For the 2027 Bolt, check the port on the car itself, since makers are moving to NACS.
- Is a 120 V outlet enough for a Chevrolet Bolt?
- For light driving it can be. It adds about 4.9 to 5.1 miles of range per hour.
Other models
Range and efficiency come from EPA data for the Chevrolet Bolt, covering 8 EPA listings across 6 model years. Onboard charger ratings are from manufacturer specifications. Breakers follow NEC 625.41, which sizes a continuous load at 125%. Have a licensed electrician check your panel before buying.