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How Many kWh Does it Take to Charge a Chevy Volt? (Explained)

The Chevy Volt is a popular hybrid electric car that has gained attention for its fuel efficiency and eco-friendly features.

One of the most commonly asked questions among Chevy Volt owners and prospective buyers is how much energy is needed to charge the vehicle.

In this article, we will explore the ins and outs of Chevy Volt charging and provide a detailed explanation of the kWh required to charge the car.

Whether you are a Chevy Volt owner looking to optimize your charging habits or someone considering purchasing the vehicle, this article will provide valuable insights into the charging process.

How Many kWh Does it Take to Charge a Chevy Volt?

The amount of kWh required to charge a Chevy Volt depends on several factors, including the size of the battery, the level of charge when you start charging, and the charging method you use.

The Chevy Volt has two different battery sizes, depending on the model year. The first-generation Chevy Volt, which was produced from 2011-2015, has a 16 kWh battery. The second-generation Chevy Volt, which was produced from 2016-2019, has a slightly larger 18.4 kWh battery.

Assuming a fully depleted battery, it would take approximately 13.5 kWh to charge a first-generation Chevy Volt and 14-16.5 kWh to charge a second-generation Chevy Volt.

However, this assumes that you are charging the car from a completely empty battery to a completely full battery. In reality, you may not need to fully charge your Chevy Volt every time you charge it.

Model YearBattery SizeCost to Charge From 0-100%All Electric Range
2011-201516 kWh$1,738 miles
2016-201818.4 kWh$2,253 miles
201918.4 kWh$2,253 miles

What Factors Impact the Amount of kWh Required to Charge a Chevy Volt?

When it comes to charging a Chevy Volt, the amount of kWh required can be impacted by several factors.

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1. Battery Size

The Chevy Volt comes with a battery pack that has a capacity of 18.4 kWh. The amount of kWh required to fully charge the battery will depend on how much charge is remaining in the battery when you start charging.

2. Charging Speed

The charging speed will also impact the amount of kWh required to charge a Chevy Volt. The faster the charging speed, the more kWh will be required.

The Chevy Volt can be charged using a Level 1 charger (which uses a standard household outlet) or a Level 2 charger (which requires a 240V outlet).

A Level 1 charger typically provides a charging rate of around 2.5 to 5 miles of electric range per hour, while a Level 2 charger can provide a charging rate of up to 25 miles of electric range per hour.

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3. Temperature

The temperature of the battery can also impact the amount of kWh required to charge a Chevy Volt. In colder temperatures, the battery may require more kWh to fully charge, as the cold can cause the battery to lose some of its capacity.

On the other hand, in hotter temperatures, the battery may require less kWh to charge, as the heat can cause the battery to become more efficient.

4. Driving Habits

Your driving habits can also impact the amount of kWh required to charge a Chevy Volt.

If you frequently drive in a manner that uses a lot of power (such as driving at high speeds or accelerating quickly), you may find that you need to charge the battery more often and require more kWh to do so.

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5. Charging Schedule

Finally, the timing of your charging sessions can also impact the amount of kWh required.

If you charge your Chevy Volt during off-peak hours (when electricity rates are typically lower), you may be able to save money on your electricity bill while still ensuring that your battery is fully charged when you need it.

Is it Cheaper to Charge Your Chevy Volt or Drive on Gasoline?

The Chevy Volt is a hybrid electric vehicle that has the option to run on gasoline or electric power. When comparing the cost of charging your Chevy Volt versus driving on gasoline, several factors need to be considered.

First, the cost of electricity varies depending on where you live and the time of day. In general, it is cheaper to charge your Chevy Volt during off-peak hours when the demand for electricity is low.

Some electric companies also offer discounted rates for electric vehicle owners. On average, the cost of electricity per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in the United States is around 13 cents.

Second, the cost of gasoline also varies depending on where you live and the current market prices. In general, the cost of gasoline is more expensive than the cost of electricity. On average, the cost of gasoline per gallon in the United States is around $3.50.

To determine whether it is cheaper to charge your Chevy Volt or drive on gasoline, you need to calculate the cost per mile. The Chevy Volt has an electric range of up to 53 miles before the gasoline engine kicks in.

The cost to charge the Volt’s battery is around $2.20 for a full charge. This means that the cost per mile when driving on electricity is around 4 cents ($2.20/53 miles).

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When driving on gasoline, the cost per mile depends on the fuel efficiency of the vehicle. The Chevy Volt gets around 42 miles per gallon when driving on gasoline. At $3.50 per gallon, the cost per mile when driving on gasoline is around 8 cents ($3.50/42 miles).

Based on these calculations, it is cheaper to charge your Chevy Volt than to drive on gasoline. The cost per mile when driving on electricity is around 4 cents, while the cost per mile when driving on gasoline is around 8 cents.

However, it’s important to note that these costs may vary depending on your location and driving habits.

In addition to being cheaper, driving on electricity is also more environmentally friendly than driving on gasoline. Electric vehicles produce fewer emissions and help reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

How Long Does it Take to Charge a Chevy Volt?

When it comes to charging the Chevy Volt, the time it takes to charge depends on a few factors.

First, it depends on the type of charging station you are using. The Chevy Volt can be charged using a Level 1 or Level 2 charging station.

A Level 1 charging station is a standard household outlet and delivers about 4-5 miles of range per hour of charging. A Level 2 charging station is a dedicated 240-volt circuit and delivers about 25 miles of range per hour of charging.

The second factor that affects charging time is the size of the battery.

The Chevy Volt has an 18.4 kWh battery, which can provide up to 53 miles of all-electric range. If the battery is completely depleted, it can take up to 13 hours to fully charge using a Level 1 charger, and about 4.5 hours using a Level 2 charger.

It’s important to note that the Chevy Volt also has a feature called “Regen on Demand” that allows the driver to generate electricity while driving by using the brakes. This can help extend the range of the vehicle and reduce the amount of time needed for charging.

In addition to the charging station and battery size, the charging time can also be affected by the temperature. Cold temperatures can reduce the efficiency of the battery and increase the time needed for charging.

The charging time can also be affected by the state of charge of the battery. The closer the battery is to full, the longer it will take to charge.