Our Bolt EUV performs well around town with over 4mi/kWh in summer and about 3mi/kWh in Colorado winters. However, at fast chargers, it barely hits 50kWh, and after 70% SoC, it drops to 20kWh, making it less ideal for long trips. I’m curious about the real-life charging times for IEV 6 owners, especially the advertised 18-minute charge from 20-80%. Are any of you using Tesla chargers? Are there any significant drawbacks other than the resistive heat systems? Thanks in advance for your insights!
I regularly achieve 18-minute charges from 20-80% using high-power DC chargers, often seeing rates over 200 kW, peaking at 240 kW. These fast charges are usually enough before a quick coffee break. I use Electrify America’s high-power units and haven’t tried Tesla’s. My model has a heat pump, avoiding the resistive heater issue. However, the standard 12V battery is poor; a good AGM battery and a booster kit would be ideal. No issues with the ICCU yet.
@Rowan
The heat pump is great, but I suspect we also have resistive heaters because it gets extremely warm very quickly. It seems the heat pump just maintains the temperature once it’s reached.
@Rowan
It’s crucial to note that the 18-minute charge is at 350kW chargers. While some stations have 150kW chargers, which are slightly slower, the ultra-fast 350kW chargers can typically recharge the battery to over 80% in under 20 minutes, even in colder weather, provided you precondition the battery.
@Rowan
I’m currently waiting for a warranty replacement of the poor-quality Kia 12v battery in my '23 Wind. I even tried to convince them to cover part of an AGM battery, but no luck.
I upgraded from a Bolt EUV due to more frequent road trips. The 18-minute charge is realistic with the right conditions, such as using a 350kW charger and ensuring the battery isn’t too hot or cold, which may require preconditioning. The EV6 excels in winter with a heat pump, improving its efficiency over the Bolt. It’s also more comfortable and spacious, with better performance and tech, though I miss the Bolt’s walk-away auto-locking and wireless CarPlay, which are fixable with add-ons.
@Shay
Great summary! The EV6 is indeed a superior car, although dealing with dealership service can be frustrating due to long waits and frequent software updates.
The charging performance of the EV6 is impressive. You can enjoy a meal, and by the time you’re done, your EV6 will likely be ready to go, especially when using 150kWh DC chargers. Just make sure to use the built-in navigation to precondition the battery in winter.
Charging the EV6 is quite reliable now, especially with Electrify America chargers. I’ve managed road trips with quick charging stops of around 20 minutes even in cold weather, thanks to effective battery management.
Coming from a Leaf SL+, the EV6’s charging speed is a game-changer. I’ve seen peak speeds and consistent performance across multiple charges, thanks to good thermal management. Preconditioning the battery using the nav system makes a noticeable difference in charging speed.
On a recent 1900 mile trip, the EV6 maintained excellent charging speeds, making frequent quick stops viable. It consistently meets or exceeds its EPA range estimates, proving its efficiency and capability on long drives.
Charging from 20% to 80% in about 18 minutes is achievable in good conditions. Even at slower charging speeds due to high SoC levels, the process remains quick, particularly when you precondition the battery in colder weather.
@Denver
I realized the importance of battery preconditioning in maintaining fast charge speeds during winter after reading through the comments here. It’s crucial for optimal charging.
At a 350kW charger, charging times are impressively short, rarely exceeding 16 minutes unless starting from a very low battery percentage.
Both the Bolt and EV6 have their strengths, but the EV6 offers a significantly better road trip experience with faster charging and more comfort. The Bolt still performs well in certain aspects like single-pedal driving and energy usage information.
@Taj
We have both an EV6 and a Bolt, and the difference in how much we use each tells you everything. The EV6 is just more versatile and comfortable for longer distances.
The EV6 excels in public charging, pulling impressive speeds at major EA stations. While not always hitting the 18-minute mark, it’s consistently fast and reliable, even on long road trips.
Charging at a 350W station, I observed how charging speeds vary significantly with SoC and other cars at the station. Despite starting at a lower SoC and charging alongside a Kia Niro, my EV6 reached 80% quickly while the Niro lagged due to lower power draw.
@Bailey
Here’s an example of charging speeds: [placeholder for image link]. You can see how variable charging can be, even within the same session.
Bailey said:
@Bailey
Here’s an example of charging speeds: [placeholder for image link]. You can see how variable charging can be, even within the same session.
Ultimately, my car reached 100% while the Niro was still charging, illustrating the faster charging capabilities of the EV6.