The all-new 2027 Chevrolet Bolt is just around the corner. Production started in November, and the first cars should arrive at dealerships in January 2026.

The new generation Bolt is more affordable (starting under $30,000) and offers significantly better DC fast-charging capabilities, as well as a NACS (SAE J3400) port. Let’s take a look at how big the difference is between the old and new Bolt.

The Old Chevrolet Bolt EV/Bolt EUV

The Chevrolet Bolt EV entered the US market nearly a decade ago, in Q4 2016, for the 2017 model year. In the 2022 model year, it was joined by the slightly larger Chevrolet Bolt EUV, but two years later, both models were retired (the 2023 model year was the last).

Between Q4 2016 and Q3 2025, Chevrolet sold a total of 212,810 Chevrolet Bolt EVs and Bolt EUVs in the US. The model was also available in Canada and in a few other markets (South Korea and, temporarily, in Europe under the Opel brand). The Bolt EV/Bolt EUV duo remains General Motors’ best-selling all-electric models (excluding GM’s Chinese joint ventures).

However, the Chevrolet Bolt EV’s DC fast-charging specs were basic. The model featured a CCS1 charging port and could accept up to 55 kW of power.

According to the manufacturer, the 2017-2019 Chevrolet Bolt EVs, with a 60-kWh battery and 238 miles of EPA Combined range, could replenish approximately 90 miles of range in 30 minutes.

The newer 2020-2023 Chevrolet Bolt EVs, with a 65-66 kWh battery and 259 miles of EPA Combined range, replenished range a bit faster, up to 100 miles in 30 minutes. Meanwhile, the 2022-2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUVs, with a 65-kWh battery and 247 miles of range, could add up to 95 miles of range in 30 minutes.

As we can see, the average range replenishment rate was just 3.0-3.3 miles per minute during a 30-minute session. If you charge longer, the average might be halved.

A few years ago, State Of Charge‘s Tom Moloughney had the opportunity to analyze the DC fast-charging performance of the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV with a brand new replacement battery. The car was able to replenish about 100 miles of range in 30 minutes, but the 10-80% state of charge (SOC) time amounted to 73 minutes (2.5 miles/minute). One would need 80 minutes to replenish 200 miles of range.

The New 2027 Chevrolet Bolt

The new 2027 Chevrolet Bolt also features a 65-kWh battery (utilizing LFP chemistry instead of NMC) and is promised to offer up to 255 miles of EPA Combined range.

According to specs, it can charge at up to 150 kW and complete a 10-80% SOC charging session in 26 minutes. The average charging power during the session should be around 105 kW. That’s a major upgrade.

The car can replenish over 178 miles of range in 26 minutes at an average of 6.9 miles/minute. That’s over twice as fast as the old Bolt EV/Bolt EUV.

Below, we have attached a graph to highlight how the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt compares to the older 2017-2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2020-2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV, and 2022-2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV.

The difference is like day and night, as the new Bolt can get almost 180 miles of range, replenished with a few minutes to spare, before the older ones approach 100 miles of range. Alternatively, it will probably be able to add 100 miles of range in less than 15 minutes. Spending 15 minutes versus 30 minutes for a 100-mile boost sounds really nice.

Chevrolet Bolt EV: DC fast charging and range replenishment rate. (Source: State Of Charge)

Does the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt have good DC fast-charging capabilities, then? Well, compared to the top EVs in the US, which can achieve a 10-80% SOC time in around 20 minutes, not really. But for an entry-level, relatively affordable electric car, it’s a good result.

Comparison With Volkswagen ID. Polo (Europe)

As a side note, let’s mention that the upcoming Volkswagen ID. Polo — an affordable EV for Europe — with a 52-kWh NMC battery (net capacity) and a WLTP driving range of 280 miles (450 km), will charge at up to 130 kW. Its base 37-kWh LFP battery version (net capacity) will accept only 90 kW.

If we compare the numbers, adjusted to the same battery capacity, the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt will turn out to be highly competitive with the upcoming Volkswagen ID. Polo.