When I started shopping for a used EV, one of the first features I saw everyone insisting on was DC fast charging. It’s tempting: “Need a charge? Just 30 minutes and you're good to go!” But believe it or not, I chose an EV without it—and it makes perfect sense for my life.
My daily commute is about 40 miles round trip. Compared to the average American one-way commute, which clocks in around 26 minutes (or roughly 20–25 miles), mine is above average but still nowhere near the point where range anxiety sets in. Charging at home every night means I wake up with 100% battery ready to go. Since my errands and routine driving all fall well within my EV’s range, DC fast charging feels more like insurance I’ll never use. For those rare long trips, we still have a reliable gas car. That spare vehicle gives me the flexibility of an electric daily drive without worrying about distant charging infrastructure.
The Real Cost of “Fast”
Public charging isn’t just fast—it’s costly. Plug in at home, and you’re paying around $0.15 per kWh. Hit a DC fast charger, and you’re more likely to shell out around $0.40 per kWh. For a Chevy Bolt’s 66 kWh battery, that means a full overnight home charge would cost about $9.90, compared to $26.40 at a DC fast station—a nearly threefold increase.
Over time, especially if you relied on public “fast” charging, that cost difference adds up. Charging at home saves money and avoids the hassle—or unreliability—of public stations.
But Is the Bolt’s DC Fast Charging Worth It Anyway?
Even if you did want it, here’s the thing: the Bolt isn’t exactly a DC speed demon.
The 2020 Chevy Bolt maxes out around 55 kW on DC fast charging. That’s fine, but compared to EVs that charge at 150–250 kW, it’s slow by today’s standards. Going from 10% to 80% might still take about 45–60 minutes under ideal conditions. And in cold weather, or at crowded stations, it can be even slower.
So yes, it’s faster than Level 2 charging—but not by a jaw-dropping amount. If you have a gas car for longer trips, it’s just not worth paying extra for a feature you’ll rarely use at a speed that isn’t all that “fast” in the first place.
The Battery Health Factor
One of the less-talked-about drawbacks of DC fast charging is its impact on long-term battery health. Rapidly pushing large amounts of current into a battery generates more heat, and heat is one of the main factors that accelerates lithium-ion battery degradation.
Manufacturers design EVs to handle occasional DC fast charging without major issues, but studies and real-world fleet data show that frequent high-speed charging can reduce battery capacity over time. For example, a battery that sees DC fast charging multiple times a week may lose usable range faster than one that’s mostly charged slowly at home.
Since my charging is nearly all done overnight at Level 2 speeds, I’m giving my battery the gentlest possible life—and likely extending its usable range for years to come.
“You Don’t Need It Until You Need It”
This is the most common argument I see in EV forums, and it’s not wrong—if you don’t have a plan B. But here’s the thing: I do have a plan B. It’s called a gas car. For those once-in-a-blue-moon trips that stretch beyond my EV’s range, we just take that instead.
If this were my only vehicle, I’d agree DC fast charging might be worth having for emergencies. But when you have two cars—one electric for daily use, one gas for anything else—you’re simply not going to find yourself stranded on the side of the road wishing for a 350 kW charger.
Resale Value Without DC Fast Charging
One thing worth mentioning is resale value. The lack of DC fast charging might make your car less appealing to some buyers in the future—especially if they’re looking for a single-vehicle household EV. That could mean a slightly lower sale price compared to the same model with the option.
However, the flip side is that you’re also paying less up front. On used EVs like the Bolt, skipping DC fast charging can easily save you $500–$1,000 on the purchase price. If you drive the car for many years, the money saved now may offset any small hit in resale value later—especially as EV range and charging networks improve, making home charging even more practical.
And let’s be honest: EV tech is moving quickly. By the time I’m ready to sell, the buyers most concerned about road trip speed will likely be looking at newer models with much faster charging anyway.
How Fast Can You Really Charge at Home?
Here’s how long it would take to add 50% charge (about 33 kWh) to a Chevy Bolt EV’s 66 kWh battery at different home charging speeds:
| Charging Setup | Amps | Approx. kW Output | Time for 50% Charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 2 (240V) – 20A | 20A | ~4.8 kW | ~6.9 hours |
| Level 2 (240V) – 30A | 30A | ~7.2 kW | ~4.6 hours |
| Level 2 (240V) – 32A | 32A | ~7.7 kW | ~4.3 hours |
Even at 20 amps, you can easily recover a half-battery overnight. At 32 amps, you’re back to full from 50% in under five hours—long before morning coffee is ready.
If you would like to look at the math in more detail see my page about EV Jargon and math.
When DC Fast Charging Is Actually Worth It
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Apartment living: No guaranteed overnight charging spot? DCFC can be your lifeline.
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Single-vehicle households: If your EV is your only car, you’ll want the flexibility for emergencies.
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High-mileage drivers: Anyone regularly exceeding 150–200 miles in a day will benefit from the time saved.
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Road trippers: Love long drives? DCFC will make them feasible without multi-hour breaks.
Bottom Line
DC fast charging may seem essential in ads, but it’s not a necessity for everyone—especially not for me. My 40-mile commute, dependable home charging, and gas backup mean I get cost-effective, hassle-free electric driving daily. Skipping the fast-charger option let me save money and keep my EV experience simple and satisfying. And with the Bolt’s modest DC speed, I’m not missing much. As a bonus, my battery will thank me for the slower, gentler charging pace.
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