How Much Does it Cost to Charge a Chevy Bolt?
Updated: May 2021
The average cost to charge a Chevy Bolt is about $400 a year.
There are a lot of good reasons to go green and choose an electric vehicle for your next car. Unfortunately, many electric vehicles cost so much that reducing your carbon footprint can make it hard to stay within a budget. The Bolt EV is a more affordable all-electric car, which makes battery-powered vehicles more accessible. Even so, many people have questions about the cost of ownership of a Bolt EV.
One big thing that contributes to the cost of ownership for a car is how much fuel it will burn to get you where you need to go. In the case of the Bolt EV, you’ll never need a single drop of fuel. Instead, you’ll be charging the battery with electricity to add miles to your range. To compare the cost of an electric vehicle to traditional gas-powered cars, take a look at how much it costs to charge a Chevy Bolt.
Cost to Charge Chevy Bolt
First, let’s get right down to the numbers on the cost of ownership:
-
- We’ve heard reports that most people spend about $400 each year to charge an electric car.
- Buying gas costs $1,200 per year (assuming you drive 12,000 miles, spend $2.50 for a gallon of gas, and get an average car MPG of 25).
If you use the examples above, buying gas is three to four times as expensive as charging an electric car. Here’s another way to look at it:
-
- The 2020 Chevy Bolt EV needs about 29 kilowatt-hours (kWh) to go 100 miles, according to fueleconomy.gov.
- According to the United States Energy Information Association, the average cost of residential energy is about 12 cents per kWh here in Arizona.
- Twenty-nine times .12 is 3.48, so you need $3.48 cents worth of energy to drive your 2020 Bolt EV 100 miles.
- You’re spending less than 3.5 cents per mile to drive your electric car in this example.
- This is consistent with what most drivers have reported since it would cost $417.60 per year to charge your electric car in this example (assuming you drive 12,000 miles per year).
No matter how you look at it, it costs less to charge an electric car than it does to put gas in a traditional car. Better yet, there are ways you can reduce your costs even more.
How to Reduce Charging Costs for Electric Cars
You’ll already save money on fuel and maintenance, but it’s still nice to maximize those savings. Here are a few of the ways you can save even more money as you cruise around for just a few cents per mile:
Taper Points
Know your taper points (percentages at which the charging slows down) when you’re charging on the go. If you charge away from home, you may be paying per minute of charging instead of per kWh charged. The vehicle will start to charge at a slower rate as the battery fills up, so it may make sense to only take what you need. Knowing the taper points will help you maximize the kWh you get for every cent you spend.
Destination Charging
Use destination charging on road trips to reduce the cost. You might be surprised how many places will let you charge for free or for a minimal fee.
Avoid Public Charging
Skip public charging altogether. This isn’t always an option when you’re making longer trips, but charging your car overnight can prevent you from having to pay for upcharged energy.
Avoid Idle Fees
If you keep your car at a charging station after your charge is complete, you’ll be charged extra. You can avoid this unnecessary expense by monitoring the progress of your charge and removing your car from the station as soon as possible.
Chevy Bolt Charging Time
Now that you know how much it costs to charge this electric vehicle, the question becomes, “how long does it take to charge a Chevy Bolt?” When you choose a 240-volt/ 32-amp charging unit, you can get about 25 miles of range from every hour of charge time at home. Professional installation is required, but this is ideal for people who are mostly charging at home for their daily driving.
When you’re on the go, choose DC Fast Charging to get up to 100 miles of range in only 30 minutes. Available for public use, this is a great way to add 100 miles of range while you stop for a break or a quick bite to eat. You can already get an EPA-estimated 259 miles of electric range on a full charge, and this is a good way to stretch your range for longer trips.
Test Drive the 2020 Chevy Bolt EV
It can be intimidating when you first switch from gas to electricity, so most drivers are pleasantly surprised by how easy it really is. Come see the new Bolt EV in person, and one of our electric car experts will talk you through everything you need to know.
Find your nearest Chevy Dealer today and come see the future of green vehicles.
