We recently completed a 1,100 mile road trip to Phoenix, Arizona from Bakersfield, California in our 2027 Chevy Bolt. The car performed as expected with the exception of the annoying hum.
We consumed 303 kWh during the trip, giving the Bolt an average efficiency of 3.6 mi/kWh at highway speeds. While a good portion of the trip was at freeway speeds on I-10 and Hwy 58, there was an extended portion on a nearly deserted two-lane highway crossing the Chuckwalla Valley toward Desert Center from Joshua Tree. This is one of the most remote highways in California.
Charging
We mostly charged at DCFC stations, but we did charge overnight on a Level 2 station in Blythe, California.
On this trip the Bolt did reach its advertised peak charging rate of 150 kW. Coming from the first generation Bolt this is startling to see. At several stations the dispenser registered 155 to 157 kW peak charge rate. For these sessions, the My Chevy App reported about 149 kW for the same dispenser. I have no explanation for the discrepancy.
ABRP & Google
Google’s Android Automotive continues to not play well with ABRP (A Better Routeplanner). ABRP would frequently disappear from the center console and I’d have to “re-enable” it.
As on our previous long-distance trip, Google’s route planning doesn’t acknowledge non-Tesla charge stations. On one leg to a Rivian charge station in Quartzite, Arizona, Google didn’t pre-condition the traction battery. I had to do it manually. On the one leg to a Tesla Supercharge, Google did pre-condition the battery as expected.
Rivian Adventure Network
We made three charge stops on the Rivian Adventure Network and the dispensers worked flawlessly. Their “Outpost” in Joshua Tree, California is a sight to behold. It’s an oasis in the desert. Picnic table, tables and chairs, cold drinks, and a welcoming atmosphere make this station a preferred stop. We ate lunch there both going and coming. Rivian has become one of our preferred networks.
EVgo
Autocharge is still not working with our 2027 Bolt. And I would discourage using the EVgo station in Goodyear, Arizona (Phoenix metro area). The dispensers are old, beat up, and some are out of service. The shopping center where they are located has seen better days and the parking lot was being used by hot rodders in their souped up cars racing across the parking lot. (Yes, Dodge Charger I am talking about you.) Pedestrians be ware!
Cost
We spent $140 on fast charging and less than $20 on Level 2. The average cost of fast charging was $0.61 per kWh. Level 2 on the EV Gateway network cost $0.43 per kWh.
