A WEEK ONLY USING PUBLIC CHARGING IN THE CHEAPEST NEW EV: MUCH HARDER THAN I EXPECTED

EV Channels Review

This video chronicles a week-long experiment of living solely off public EV charging infrastructure with a Chevrolet Bolt EV, revealing it to be more challenging than anticipated. While the Bolt's affordability, especially with tax credits, is highlighted, the primary takeaway is the significant inconvenience posed by public charging. The reviewer found the limited availability and slow speeds of Level 1 and Level 2 chargers, coupled with the Bolt's relatively slow DC fast charging capability (peaking around 50-55 kW), to be a major drawback. Despite successfully completing 486 miles with a total charging cost of $20.94 (compared to an estimated $64.80 for a gasoline car), the six hours and 11 minutes spent charging, even when integrated with daily activities, detracted from the convenience of EV ownership. The reviewer concludes that while doable, relying solely on public charging with the Bolt necessitates a quicker DC fast charging rate and more reliable infrastructure for true daily comfort and confidence, strongly suggesting home charging is essential for this vehicle.