What EV Charger Do You Need for a 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
The 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV needs a 32 ampere Level 2 supply to hit its peak AC rate. Onboard hardware caps your intake at 7.2 kilowatts. Feeding it a larger charger will not speed things up. The car ignores the extra current.
The numbers
| Maximum AC charging rate | 7.2 kW (32 A) |
|---|---|
| Charger size to buy | 32 A |
| Circuit breaker required | 40 A |
| Outlet / connection | NEMA 14-50 outlet on a 40 A breaker, or hardwired |
| Charge port | J1772 |
| Full charge on Level 2 | about 9.4 hours |
| Range added per hour (Level 2) | about 25 miles |
| Full charge on a 120 V outlet | about 47 hours |
| Range added per hour (120 V) | about 5.1 miles |
| EPA rated range | 238 miles |
| Energy for a full charge | about 67.4 kWh at the wall |
Why 32 amps and not more
Your battery capacity sits at 67.4 kilowatt hours. Pushing 32 amps through a Level 2 setup refills a depleted pack in 9.4 hours. That pace delivers 25 miles of range for every hour plugged in. Buying a 40 amp or 48 amp supply wastes money because the car cannot draw past 32 amps. Heavy units cost more and require thicker copper wire for zero gain.
What the install involves
Code dictates a 40 amp breaker for this 32 amp load. You need a NEMA 14-50 outlet or a direct hardwired connection. Hire a licensed electrician for the work. Pulling high continuous current through residential wiring creates real fire risks if torque specs and wire gauges are wrong.
Chargers that match this car
Rugged metal enclosure, built for outdoor use.
Portable cordset. Works on 120 V or a 240 V outlet.
Plugs into an existing 14-50 outlet, no hardwiring.
Worth having as well
Common questions
- Can I plug this car into a standard wall outlet?
- Yes, standard Level 1 charging works on a household 120 volt circuit. Expect a grueling 47 hour wait for a full refill at 5.1 miles per hour. That trickle pace barely covers a typical daily commute.
- What connector type does this car use?
- The charge port accepts a standard J1772 plug. Every non-Tesla EV sold in North America through 2024 uses the J1772 connector for AC Level 2 charging.
- Do I need a 40 amp breaker for a 32 amp charger?
- Continuous loads require a circuit rated for 125 percent of the draw. The 40 amp breaker protects the circuit legally and physically during long charging sessions.
- Will a 40 amp charger melt my port?
- No. Electric vehicle supply equipment negotiates power delivery with the car onboard computer. The car dictates how much current flows, so a 40 amp unit will throttle down to the 32 amp max limit.
Other vehicles
Charging times derived from EPA data for the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV. Electrical requirements follow NEC 625.41, which sizes a circuit at 125% of a continuous load. Always have a licensed electrician verify your panel.