Chevy Bolt configurator is up. Charging options are stupid.

"3ch0" (UsedToBe3ch0)
11/29/2016 at 16:43 • Filed to: bolt, ev, electric vehicles, electric cars

Wait, no 240v charging cable from GM? They really want to sell this without “scaring” people. Or do they want to sell it...

“No electrical work, anyone can buy this!”
Although, you may not be able to drive it everyday, as it will still be charging from that long drive on Sunday. Charging at 4mph (if it is a NEMA 5-20, 3 mph if it is not) will not get you a lot of overnight range at home (best case is 56 miles over 14 hours).
And DC fast charging is not included by default, and limited to 50kw? Ugh.

They are just confirming what I’ve been saying all along: this is an EV for the range anxious commuter. Oh wait, low charge speed makes this false! This is an EV for the range-anxious, occasional commuter.

http://www.chevrolet.com/bolt-ev-electric-vehicle/build-your-own.html#/trim

DISCUSSION (18)

Matt Nichelson > 3ch0
11/29/2016 at 16:53

How many times can GM swing and miss on stuff before they are called out?

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Matt Nichelson
11/29/2016 at 17:01

How many times can GM swing and miss on stuff before they are called bailed out?

There, fixed. :P

DrJohannVegas > BaconSandwich is tasty.
11/29/2016 at 17:03

How many jobs are on the line this time?

*considers adding “/s”, decides against it*

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > 3ch0
11/29/2016 at 18:03

Yeah... you’d think they’d include faster charging in the “premier” trim level.

But then again, what fast charging network has GM built? Or who have they teamed up with for fast charging? Nissan? Tesla?

The answer is... Nobody!

At least it’s not Magnecharge-only like they idiotically did with the EV1.

I predict the Bolt will do okay initially... and then the Tesla Model 3 and subsequent Model Y will kick its ass in terms of sales when they come out... just for charging network and brand recognition reasons alone.

Joe6pack > 3ch0
11/29/2016 at 19:00

Oh for Pete’s sake. There are plenty of options for level 2 charging at home and most are relatively inexpensive. If you don’t have 240 in your garage, you are going to have to add it anyway. If this stops you from buying an EV, then you aren’t ready for an EV.

Rico > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
11/29/2016 at 19:34

Didn’t Tesla release alll of their patents regarding charging for everyone to use? I thought they were using that

bhtooefr > Joe6pack
11/29/2016 at 21:20

And GM does offer L2 EVSE options, IIRC... they’re just not listing them on the product page for the Bolt for whatever reason.

Now, the problem is, GM dealers are apathetic at best to actually selling EV products, so they won’t provide any kind of education.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Rico
11/29/2016 at 23:12

Yes they did release the patents. But I bet GM won’t use it because “Not Invented Here”

3ch0 > Joe6pack
11/30/2016 at 01:14

I’m saying it should be a box you check when getting the car. And the damn car should come with a 240v cable and adapter. Come on.

Joe6pack > 3ch0
11/30/2016 at 20:13

To my knowledge, no one supplies a level 2 EVSE with the car except maybe Tesla. I know Nissan doesn’t. And I am not aware of any vehicle that can charge off of straight 240 volt house current. When I leased my Leaf 4 years ago, I negotiated the cost of an EVSE into the deal ($900). They were a lot more expensive back then. Today they can be had for around $300. I also had to have an electrician install a 240 volt outlet in my garage.

My point is that what Chevy is doing with the Bolt is not unusual.

3ch0 > Joe6pack
11/30/2016 at 20:51

You need to get extra stuff, not from GM to make this work.

If I had a 240v outlet in my garage (many folks have those for dryers), the mobile connector and adapters Tesla provided with my car allow me to connect directly to it. No need for a L2 charger.

And since GM is trying to make this car seem like any other, I doubt there will be knowledgeable sales folks at the stealerships to explain to people how to get a decent charge rate at home.

jimz > bhtooefr
11/30/2016 at 20:53

They’re probably not listed because these companies typically contract with third party installers.

jimz > 3ch0
11/30/2016 at 20:54

it’s highly recommended a level 2 EVSE be installed hard-wired and not via a plug/receptacle. what you’re bitching about will likely block precisely 0 Bolt sales.

jimz > 3ch0
11/30/2016 at 20:55

If I had a 240v outlet in my garage (many folks have those for dryers),

I’ve never seen such. the few people I know with a 240 VAC circuit in their garage, they had it installed for something like a welder or other high power equipment.

3ch0 > jimz
11/30/2016 at 23:08

Well, they are everywhere here in the Bay Area. Check Craigslist, you’ll see them in listing with garages. And folks with EVs use them for charging.

3ch0 > jimz
11/30/2016 at 23:11

I agree with everything you said.

Once folks have the car, they will then start asking why they can’t charge faster. Then they’ll realize they need to get electrical work done, learn about EVSE and so on.

The target market here is not knowledgeable about such things.

jimz > 3ch0
12/01/2016 at 08:06

There’re are a few hundred million of us not in the Bay Area.

3ch0 > jimz
12/02/2016 at 12:16

Well aware of that. But tell that to GM! The Bolt is only available here for now.

The Pacifica Hybrid plug-in also comes with a 120v cable. But “A 240-volt Level 2 charging station is available only through FCA’s Mopar accessories division.”

And it is a hybrid! It has gas, so way less of a need for faster charge. But Chrysler (of all car companies...) sells an EVSE! So at least, they are passively educating their customers on that possibility.