[chartquist]

Sorry in advance for the dumb question, but here goes. I'm looking to try DCFC for the first time soon at a nearby EA station and they have three CCS options: a 75kW option for $0.21/min, a 125kW option for $0.58/min, and a 350kW option for $0.89/min. I've read criticism that the Bolt can't accept more than about 50kW while charging, so should I always go for the 75kW option? I understand that there is a "handshaking" process where the charger and the Bolt agree on what the charging rate will be. So if I choose the 350kW charger and the Bolt only accepts a 50kW "flow", am I still charged the $0.89 rate? I'm assuming that I would be because I'd be hogging the fastest charger even though I can only use 14.3% of the available flow.

 

[The Other Tom]

I think you'd be charged at the 50kW rate regardless of which charger you used, but you're right, you'd be hogging the 350kW charger for that lone Porsche Cayan that needs it

 

[GetOffYourGas]

No, you will be charged the lowest rate. It's based on the handshake between your car and the charger. Today, I highly doubt anyone will care. Hopefully in a few years there will be enough BEVs around that we'll have to be more considerate.

 

[chartquist]

No, you will be charged the lowest rate. It's based on the handshake between your car and the charger. Today, I highly doubt anyone will care. Hopefully in a few years there will be enough BEVs around that we'll have to be more considerate.

Thank you! So to be the most considerate, sounds like I should always pick the smallest charger that exceeds the Bolt's max rate of 50kW. If it's taken, I can still get the same lower tier pricing at any charger.

 

[PhilBo]

Sorry in advance for the dumb question, but here goes. I'm looking to try DCFC for the first time soon at a nearby EA station and they have three CCS options: a 75kW option for $0.21/min, a 125kW option for $0.58/min, and a 350kW option for $0.89/min. I've read criticism that the Bolt can't accept more than about 50kW while charging, so should I always go for the 75kW option? I understand that there is a "handshaking" process where the charger and the Bolt agree on what the charging rate will be. So if I choose the 350kW charger and the Bolt only accepts a 50kW "flow", am I still charged the $0.89 rate? I'm assuming that I would be because I'd be hogging the fastest charger even though I can only use 14.3% of the available flow.

I had never thought about it so that was a great question!

 

[Voldar]

...I've read criticism that the Bolt can't accept more than about 50kW while charging, so should I always go for the 75kW option? ...

The Bolt EV accepts more than 5o kW, to be precise, it's max 55 kW. And yes, you are better using the 75kW or a 125 kW instead of the 350 kW just for pure curtesy. During the winter, it doesn't really matter, all EV see a plunge in their recharging speed, the so called "cold gate", so all charge at around the same speed... 45-48 kW.