[talllo]

I have very limited technical knowledge, but from my understanding the reason that DCFC can't be added to non-DCFC Bolts is because of differences in the batteries.

Would there be any chance that those of us without DCFC could have our Bolts modified to add DCFC when we get our batteries replaced for the recall?

I purchased a used 2017 after doing what I thought was adequate research—when you Google "does 2017 Chevy bolt have fast charge" nearly all the results simply indicate "Yes!" without clarifying "Some cannot!" Rough to find out that the extra nub on your charge port is vestigial when you're parked at the fast charge station.

I don't expect to need it—I haven't yet so far—but mostly curious if it would be possible.

 

[Sean Nelson]

There's no difference in the battery, the differences are in the charge port, the cabling between the charge port and the power distribution unit under the hood, and the power distribution unit itself. And there are software differences in the various control computers as well. My opinion is that it would be cheaper to sell your Bolt and buy another similar one than to try to buy all the needed parts and retrofit it.

 

[Jake from State Farm]

Sorry that you had to find out this way, welcome and enjoy the car.

 

[finallygoingev]

I'm guessing it would also void your warranty too if you were to add it outside of normal means....or, you maybe liable if something happened. As mentioned, replace it if needed. I think there was a model year change where they added DCFC as standard.

 

[Martin D]

You could ask your local dealerfor an estimate to add dcfc. I would suggest that you be sitting down when they give you the numbers 😱

 

[ARob]

You could ask your local dealerfor an estimate to add dcfc. I would suggest that you be sitting down when they give you the numbers 😱

I don't believe GM has a procedure for this, the only known (or documented) instance of a DCFC retrofit was done by an independent shop in Ontario Canada I believe.

The procedure likely involves swapping out several components and software programming. Trading in for a Bolt with DCFC is probably less costly.

 

[Martin D]

I don't believe GM has a procedure for this, the only known (or documented) instance of a DCFC retrofit was done by an independent shop in Ontario Canada I believe.

The procedure likely involves swapping out several components and software programming. Trading in for a Bolt with DCFC is probably less costly.

I am definitely not suggesting that adding dcfc to a Bolt without it is anything close to being feasible. Hence the “be seated when you hear the numbers”, but then again the answer to a request might be “sorry but you can’t get there from here” 👎

 

[RoadTripBiker]

I would agree with previous posts. Think it is very achievable certainly components are probably available from crashed Bolts but would need a good installer who can handle the software side.

Again better to just trade cars. Last January when I bought my 2020 saw a few without DCFC at a local dealership and wondered why they had been ordered. However in 11 months of ownership I have never used a DCFC and have only charged it at 32A Level 2 a couple of times. Until there is better infrastructure on my routes I burn gasoline and the Bolt is a local car - a fun local car.

EDIT: Warranty, major reason I would not do it is the potential warranty issues.

 

[Toyotiac]

I don't believe GM has a procedure for this, the only known (or documented) instance of a DCFC retrofit was done by an independent shop in Ontario Canada I believe.

The procedure likely involves swapping out several components and software programming. Trading in for a Bolt with DCFC is probably less costly.

This is the shop that has done this:
Véhicules électriques Simon André. They are in Quebec and are on Facebook. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?st...=1162210790467972&m_entstream_source=timeline

 

[saukriver]

Does DCFC (Level 3) lead to potentially more battery degradation?

 

[Nofuture]

When I was shopping the estimate was $4500 to add DCFC, and would require some engineering support from GM.

You could ask your local dealerfor an estimate to add dcfc. I would suggest that you be sitting down when they give you the numbers 😱

 

[jefro]

Probably easier and cheaper to trade it.

 

[Marspilgrim]

Yes, it was the same argument with ICE. Get a Civic SI and try to turn it into a WRX instead of just buying the faster car in the first place.

 

[buk855]

Not going to happen.

It's technically possible, but requires replacing lots of parts and more importantly reprogramming that you won't get GM help to complete.

 

[Packard V8]

However in 11 months of ownership I have never used a DCFC and have only charged it at 32A Level 2 a couple of times. Until there is better infrastructure on my routes I burn gasoline and the Bolt is a local car - a fun local car.

Agree. Back in 2017, when there was near-as-no charging infrastructure, attempting winter road trips in the intermountain west was never even a consideration. The dealer got in the first three Bolts, so when my wife prefered the Cajun Red Premier which was not built with DCFC, we just bought it. We've enjoyed it for four-and-a-half years and it's never been charged away from home.

jack vines

 

[GregBrew]

Does DCFC (Level 3) lead to potentially more battery degradation?

FYI. DCFC is not the same as Level 3. Level 3 is an unused part of the J1772 AC charging spec.

 

[saukriver]

FYI. DCFC is not the same as Level 3. Level 3 is an unused part of the J1772 AC charging spec.

Thank your for that explanation.

Let me rephrase my question: Does DCFC charging potentially degrade the battery?

 

[jefro]

There are a number of issues that can contribute to more degradation, one of them can be "high" charge rates. You can actually have very low DC charging, there is a model of home DC charger running on 240VAC. Most of the first batch of DC chargers weren't labeled as "fast". They are slowing being replaced with 50's 100's and up to 350 and more. The Bolt has kind of a low charge limit and narrow charge band so it don't help a lot going to a 350KWH charger.
I think my i3 did suffer from the free L3/DC charging I used from the tracking I use. It also may have suffered from high heat conditions which Bolts may help to prevent. In any case no battery currently will be the same at 50K miles.


The whole argument of L3 versus DC versus DCFC is really annoying. A rose by any other name .....

 

[Sean Nelson]

There are a number of issues that can contribute to more degradation, one of them can be "high" charge rates. You can actually have very low DC charging, there is a model of home DC charger running on 240VAC.

From the battery's point of view all charging is DC. Even when you plug into an AC outlet the car's built-in charger converts it to high voltage DC before it gets to the battery.

The whole argument of L3 versus DC versus DCFC is really annoying. A rose by any other name .....

IMHO the term "L3" should be avoided simply because it means different things to different people, and is therefore an invitation to misunderstanding. Whether it's the "right" usage in a particular context is totally irrelevant.

 

[jefro]

The problem is L3 is now ubiquitous for that charge mode and is seen at all sorts of places to include charger and car maker sites.

The OP asked about DC charging, not home charging.