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How to Use DC Fast Charging

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Time Required: 30 minutes | Tools Required: None | Related Parts, Products, Services or Technology: None

DC Fast Charging is a type of electric vehicle charging available from certain public charging stations. If your vehicle is equipped with this type of charging capability, it allows you to quickly charge your vehicle’s battery while you’re away from home.^†

How It Works

The process of DC Fast Charging your electric vehicle is similar to fueling up at the gas pump with a gas-powered vehicle. To find a DC Fast Charging station, you can search the area or along your route using your myChevrolet mobile app.^†or, if your vehicle is equipped, with the available navigation system with Google built-in^† compatibility (subscription[s] required for full functionality).

If you use Google built-in to navigate to a DC Fast Charging station, your vehicle will automatically precondition its battery for improved charging performance (this doesn’t happen if you use Android Auto^† on your smartphone to navigate – you must use the Google built-in compatibility on your infotainment system). You’ll see notification on your infotainment display confirming preconditioning has started when this happens.

Depending on the charge station, you will have to pay based either on charging time or kWh (kilowatt-hours) provided.

Check your Owner’s Manual to see the maximum charge rate in kilowatts (kW) your vehicle can charge at,and try to match it to the available charging station’s charge rate for faster charging. For example, some vehicles can only accept a maximum of 55kW. If that’s the case for your vehicle, you should only charge at stations that match your vehicle’s charge rating so other EV drivers that can charge at higher rates can use higher-rated stations.

Generally, it is most efficient to only charge the vehicle to 80% at a DC Fast Charging station, as charging will slow significantly after about 80%.

Start Charging

Once you locate a DC Fast Charging station that’s compatible with your vehicle, you’ll simply plug the charge cord into your vehicle and follow the instructions on the charging station to begin charging. Here’s how:

1. With your vehicle in PARK, locate the charging port on the outside of the vehicle, typically located on the driver’s side behind the rear wheel or front fender, depending on your model.

2. Press the rear edge of the port door to pop it open. On some vehicles, you may have to press an emblem or button to open the charge port door.

3. Remove or flip open the DC Fast Charging dust cover on the charge port, depending on your model.

4. Plug the DC Fast Charging station’s cord into the vehicle’s charge port.

5. Follow the steps on the charging station or charge station app to start charging.

a. If you have previously enrolled your vehicle with the plug-to-charge feature within the vehicle’s mobile app, charging will begin automatically.

6. The DC Fast Charging plug will be locked and cannot be disconnected while charging is active. On some models, your Electric Parking Brake may turn on.

a. To unlock the handle, see the “Finish Charging” section below.

7. Your vehicle’s Charging Status Indicator will light up when charging begins, and you may hear a chirp (unless disabled in your vehicle settings). The Charging Status Indicator light color and pattern provide information about the status of charging. See your Owner’s Manual to see what each color/pattern means.

8. On some models, while your vehicle is plugged in, you can check the “peek-in” screen on the Driver Information Centre (DIC) for a quick look at the current state of charge and estimated time to full charge. This information is also available in your vehicle’s mobile app if you want to check it remotely.

9. Charging will continue until you stop the process or until the vehicle is fully charged.

Keep in mind:

Charging will slow down as the battery fills up.
Consider charging only as much as you need to comfortably reach your next stop. Your vehicle’s mobile app can help you determine how long to charge along a planned route.
For normal daily driving and when your driving plan allows, it is suggested to avoid charging beyond 80% when DC Fast Charging for the best charging experience. Using DC Fast Charging above 80% is recommended only if no other method of charging is available to reach your next charging stop

Finish Charging

When the vehicle is fully charged, charging will automatically stop, and the plug will be unlocked. You can also manually stop charging using the button on the charge cord vehicle connector, the controls at the charging station or by tapping “Stop” on the Charging page on your infotainment screen.

Many charging station providers also let you stop a charge session from the provider’s app.

1. Unplug the charge cord from the vehicle.

2. Replace or close the dust cover inside the charge port, depending on your model, and close the charge port door.

Q&As

Why does charging start slowing down the longer I’m at the DC Fast Charge station?

In order to provide optimal charging rates and to maximize performance and battery life, the rate of charging will start slowing down as your battery fills up, with significant reduction in charge rate around 80%. Generally, it is most efficient to only charge the vehicle to 80% at a DC Fast Charging station, as charging will slow significantly after about 80%.

Does my battery have to be completely empty before I use DC Fast Charging?

No. You can charge your battery from any level, even just to “top off” the battery for your drive. However, the battery will charge slower when it is near the top of its charge.

How should I precondition my vehicle’s battery for optimal DC Fast Charging?

Start DC Fast Charging battery conditioning to precondition your battery (if equipped) when you are on your way to a public DC Fast Charging station, approximately 30 minutes before. This will help bring the battery to an optimal temperature for improved charging performance.

When you use Google built-in navigation (rather than Android Auto through your smartphone) to route to a DC Fast Charging station, your vehicle will automatically precondition its battery. You’ll see a notification on your infotainment display confirming preconditioning has started when this happens.

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To find out if your vehicle has this feature, contact your dealer or refer to your vehicle’s equipment list. Please check your Owner’s Manual for more information about features.