It looks like the Dual Voltage EVSE comes with the EUV and is a $295 option on the EV.
-
Hey Guest, welcome to ChevyBolt.org. We encourage you to register to engage in conversations about your Bolt.
Looking for an EV
Hi folks,
First post here and I'm looking for an EV. I am retired and just looking for something for local trips and a basic grocery getter. Over a year ago I ordered a VW ID.4 AWD EV, test drove it when it came in and refused it. It was bigger and more expensive than what I wanted. Somebody on a tractor forum just recommended the Bolt, especially with the upcoming price drop for 2023. So I came here to find out what I can. Presently I am just trying to find one to sit in. There are several within an hours drive that are posted as not available. I assume they are waiting for the new battery packs but I am hoping I can at least sit in one of those. I have a home in Maine and one in Virginia, it is a 14 hr trip in my ICE vehicle, it would be a 17 hr trip in an EV, not acceptable to me. Which is one of the reasons I turned down the ID.4 at the time. BUT, I have about 6 more of those trips to make this summer and hopefully the house in ME will be sold. With no more need to make that trip, the ICE vehicle can go and I can get an EV. Taking delivery late fall or early winter will be okay with me. Next step is to see if I can get a test drive in a Bolt to see if I am comfortable in it. I have found being 6'1" with a bad back limits my options.
Hope folks will bear with me if I make some comparisons of the Bolt to the ID.4.
I've only been reading this site for a day, but have already learned a lot.
I inherited an uninstalled 1Kw solar panel array, with a 2Kw inverter and 4 huge batteries. I plan on setting that system up and using it to power whatever EV I get.
Also, I live about 1/2 way between Salisbury MD and Norfolk VA on the Delmarva Peninsula. If anybody can recommend a dealer somewhere in that area to go to, or to stay away from, it would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Jim
First post here and I'm looking for an EV. I am retired and just looking for something for local trips and a basic grocery getter. Over a year ago I ordered a VW ID.4 AWD EV, test drove it when it came in and refused it. It was bigger and more expensive than what I wanted. Somebody on a tractor forum just recommended the Bolt, especially with the upcoming price drop for 2023. So I came here to find out what I can. Presently I am just trying to find one to sit in. There are several within an hours drive that are posted as not available. I assume they are waiting for the new battery packs but I am hoping I can at least sit in one of those. I have a home in Maine and one in Virginia, it is a 14 hr trip in my ICE vehicle, it would be a 17 hr trip in an EV, not acceptable to me. Which is one of the reasons I turned down the ID.4 at the time. BUT, I have about 6 more of those trips to make this summer and hopefully the house in ME will be sold. With no more need to make that trip, the ICE vehicle can go and I can get an EV. Taking delivery late fall or early winter will be okay with me. Next step is to see if I can get a test drive in a Bolt to see if I am comfortable in it. I have found being 6'1" with a bad back limits my options.
Hope folks will bear with me if I make some comparisons of the Bolt to the ID.4.
I've only been reading this site for a day, but have already learned a lot.
I inherited an uninstalled 1Kw solar panel array, with a 2Kw inverter and 4 huge batteries. I plan on setting that system up and using it to power whatever EV I get.
Also, I live about 1/2 way between Salisbury MD and Norfolk VA on the Delmarva Peninsula. If anybody can recommend a dealer somewhere in that area to go to, or to stay away from, it would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Jim
21 - 29 of 29 Posts
You might get a little better ride quality in the EUV due to the longer wheelbase, and perhaps additional weight. I think that's been reported in a few reviews.
I'm fine with the ride quality in our Bolt EV, but my wife isn't always thrilled depending on the road. She's had back surgery, and her back is not at the top of it's game anymore.
Our next EV will definitely need to have a more comfortable ride for her, and that will include a longer wheelbase.
I'm fine with the ride quality in our Bolt EV, but my wife isn't always thrilled depending on the road. She's had back surgery, and her back is not at the top of it's game anymore.
Our next EV will definitely need to have a more comfortable ride for her, and that will include a longer wheelbase.
I probably added it then as I was adding every factory option I could to bring the price up.It looks like the Dual Voltage EVSE comes with the EUV and is a $295 option on the EV.
You can't expect much more than 5kWh of energy per day out of the 1kW array, especially at your latitude. Your battery bank would need to be pretty large to hold 10kWh of energy as well. (I used 10kWh, to keep battery SOC above 50%, in order to be kind to them, and considering their unknown condition.) For example, a common-sized solar backup 125Ah 12V AGM battery holds about 1.5kWh. Four of them should hold 6kWh, but you'd be cycling it to near zero SOC. Again, you don't know the condition of the ones you've got.Hi folks,
<snip>
I inherited an uninstalled 1Kw solar panel array, with a 2Kw inverter and 4 huge batteries. I plan on setting that system up and using it to power whatever EV I get.
Thanks,
Jim
5kWh is less than 10% of the Bolt's battery capacity, and will get you fewer than 20 miles of range. Significantly fewer in winter.
You may want to adjust your expectations about the utility of your solar PV system for use in charging the Bolt. Can it work? Very possibly, with a 2000W inverter and the OEM EVSE at 8A, but it might not meet your needs.
Thanks for the breakdown and your thoughts. If I was driving any distance daily, you would be absolutely correct. Being retired, I go to the grocery store once a week, 5 miles each way and the hardware store just about as often, 3 miles each way. Sometimes I go to the local airport just to hang out and see if I can catch a flight with a friend, that is 2 miles away. I won't need much power as I won't be using much. I figure if nothing else it will be a fun experiment since I already have all the pieces and parts to put together a system that didn't cost me anything. If it doesn't work, I already have a 220v outlet I can plug the OEM EVSE into in my garage.You can't expect much more than 5kWh of energy per day out of the 1kW array, especially at your latitude. Your battery bank would need to be pretty large to hold 10kWh of energy as well.
.......
You may want to adjust your expectations about the utility of your solar PV system for use in charging the Bolt. Can it work? Very possibly, with a 2000W inverter and the OEM EVSE at 8A, but it might not meet your needs.
'20 LT , 6'2 hear things about seats , I'm puzzled , 79 yrs. old , frequent trips South Ore.to S.F. w/o problems , comfy , often make it w/one charge , lunch and hit the bathroom , sometimes second boost , windy , hot or cold make a dif . Never , ever would go back to gas eater ...Very small things to suffer but it all comes back to a money , which most can not wrap their head around , true car is a bit more expensive to buy , but gas and maintence in a year or two balance that out , and the feeling that , in fact , there's really no choice ...The Bolt is a perfect around town car. Yes, you can road trip, and people do, but it's not as convenient as other EVs. You'll be fine charging over night at home. The $6K price reduction makes it the least expensive EV on the market. BTW, I'm 6-2 and no problems in the Bolt.
I am having some success charging my Bolt with solar power. Firstly, make sure that your inverter is a pure sine inverter. If it is modified sine I wouldn't use it. I currently have 1270 watts of solar panels charging a 400 amp hour battery bank. The battery bank powers a 3500 watt pure sine inverter. On very sunny days the panels can almost keep up with the car charging at 8 amps with the level 1 charger that came with the car. Since I said that it "almost" keeps up, I use a heavy duty timer. It is set to only charge during the sunny hours of the day. I also have a 15 minute pause programed in after each hour of charging. This adds about 10 miles of range on sunny days. Charging isn't successful on overcast days as the inverter will shut down for low power in the battery bank. I am hoping for better results with the longer, sunnier days of summer. Good Luck!I inherited an uninstalled 1Kw solar panel array, with a 2Kw inverter and 4 huge batteries. I plan on setting that system up and using it to power whatever EV I get.
Thanks for your thoughts. I'm still trying to find a Bolt to test drive. Being retired, I drive an average of 55 miles a week. I'm thinking even with my smaller panel array, it should take care of 80% of my driving.I am having some success charging my Bolt with solar power. Firstly, make sure that your inverter is a pure sine inverter. If it is modified sine I wouldn't use it. I currently have 1270 watts of solar panels charging a 400 amp hour battery bank. The battery bank powers a 3500 watt pure sine inverter. On very sunny days the panels can almost keep up with the car charging at 8 amps with the level 1 charger that came with the car. Since I said that it "almost" keeps up, I use a heavy duty timer. It is set to only charge during the sunny hours of the day. I also have a 15 minute pause programed in after each hour of charging. This adds about 10 miles of range on sunny days. Charging isn't successful on overcast days as the inverter will shut down for low power in the battery bank. I am hoping for better results with the longer, sunnier days of summer. Good Luck!
21 - 29 of 29 Posts
Chevy Bolt EV Forum
We’re the Largest Chevy Bolt EV Online Community and Owner's Club. Join to discuss sport mode, reviews, battery range and charging!
Full Forum Listing
Recommended Communities
