[PineNut]

Of course in reality, you'll rarely if ever be charging from 0, Pine. More likely you'll be adding back your daily commute (40 or 50 miles for most) when parking the car at the end of the day.

The highest charge leveler the Equinox EV is 11.5 kW regardless of trim. There was some pre-production discussion a year or so ago about 19.2 kW but that is not supported in the production model

Yes, I agree it's very unlikely you'd need to charge 0-100% and it's generally not recommended to leave an EV with the Equinox's battery type (lithium-ion NCMA) below 25% charge for very long (and try to avoid 100% charge for long as well). Many suggest charging to 80% max (or 50-60% for long term storage) unless you are going on a long trip and need more range. Lithium Phosphate batteries in some cars can tolerate 100% charge better and also handle more charge cycles (without losing some battery capacity over time) but have a lower charge density (less maximum range). It's probably best to just go by the estimated "miles added per hour of charge" numbers.

I saw the 11.5 kW option in the link I provided (click on the "Compare Chargers" button at that link). Chevy quoted that charge time for an 11.5 kW Equinox EV option, but that's probably an earlier number which is apparently outdated now.

 

[Andre YUL]

Of course in reality, you'll rarely if ever be charging from 0, Pine. More likely you'll be adding back your daily commute (40 or 50 miles for most) when parking the car at the end of the day.



The highest charge leveler the Equinox EV is 11.5 kW regardless of trim. There was some pre-production discussion a year or so ago about 19.2 kW but that is not supported in the production model

On Cadillac's Canadian Web site, 19.2kW charging is part of an option package on the Optiq.

 

[Steverino]

On Cadillac's Canadian Web site, 19.2kW charging is part of an option package on the Optiq.

Yup, and other stuff too, Andre. It may be based on the Equinox in some ways, but it has, well, more. As you'd expect.

 

[Nebula1701]

GM recommends 80% charging for daily use and only charge to 100% before long trips.

 

[Steverino]

GM recommends 80% charging for daily use and only charge to 100% before long trips.

Also covered in the Tips on Maximizing Equinox EV Battery Life

 

[jg.]

Yes, but there’s an upper buffer of unknown size (for the moment) so 90% indicated on the dash is likely really close to 80% actual state of charge in the battery, so for those that need the range or just want the comfort level of a higher charge, 90% should be fine for daily/weekly charging and shouldn’t affect the regeneration capabilities.

 

[Nebula1701]

I think the buffer is very small with Ultium.

 

[Steverino]

here’s an upper buffer of unknown size (for the moment)

I have not seen that before. Or I forgot. Not doubting you, but do you have a source, JG?

 

[Nebula1701]

The Battery is 85 kWh usable I believe the actual size is around 90 kW

 

[jg.]

I have not seen that before. Or I forgot. Not doubting you, but do you have a source, JG?

Just all the battery engineers that have spoken up in the last few years of talking on these forums. Essentially, if you were allowed to charge it to a true 100% it would probably burst into flames. There also needs to be a buffer at the bottom so the battery doesn’t get damaged when “drained” so there’s a certain amount of power below 0% indicated.

 

[jg.]

The Battery is 85 kWh usable I believe the actual size is around 90 kW

Well that’s refreshing if they are actually advertising the usable capacity. Most manufacturers advertise the gross capacity and let you figure out the details later. Like buying an 8oz tube of toothpaste and you only get 6oz of actual toothpaste because of tube design and inability to squeeze it all out.

 

[Nebula1701]

GM is very cagy in sharing the actual size of the battery...

 

[Steverino]

inability to squeeze it all out

I cut open the flat end, toothbrush scoop... lol

 

[hellsop]

Of course in reality, you'll rarely if ever be charging from 0, Pine. More likely you'll be adding back your daily commute (40 or 50 miles for most) when parking the car at the end of the day.

'zactly. A baby 24 amp Level 2 will easily keep up with even 100 miles a day and still charge an empty battery to full by the end of the week. And delayed charging means even a 100 amp service panel is plenty because the car charges when you're asleep and not using the range or the laundry dryer.

 

[PineNut]

I agree a 24 amp Level 2 charger can be all you need, especially for an all electric BEV where you usually don't need to charge daily.

We have a PHEV and BEV. I installed a 48 amp level 2 charger and it's nice for both (charging separately), but even more so for the PHEV. That's because it just gets 34 miles range on battery only and I often want to top it off during the day. In that case faster charge time helps a lot.

I'll also often top off the BEV in the morning before I leave, just because that lets me avoid keeping it at a high charge level while it's sitting overnight. But that can also be accomplished with scheduled charging where you can program the car to be charged to whatever level you need by 7am or whatever in the morning (and the car can have it's heat or air conditioning programmed to get the car to a comfortable temperature before you leave as well).

Higher capacity chargers don't cost much more. The big expense is the wiring/conduit/labor to connect the charger. If I'm going to want to add a L2 socket, I'd rather make sure it can handle as much current as not only needed now, but for what I might want in the future. In most cases, 6 guage wire (10 guage for ground, if needed) will support up to 48 amp chargers (60 amp breaker), but now I'm not so clear about that since electrical code may have changed since I installed mine.

Keep in mind that there are often rebates out there for installing chargers. You may qualify for a 30% federal tax credit that covers the cost of the charger plus installation (it's a nonrefundable credit where you must owe tax to cover the credit). My electric company also offers a 50% rebate so I can save 80%.

 

[KevEQEV]

Charge settings are accessed on the Infotainment Home page by clicking the Charging icon:
View attachment 1967

Using the touch screen, you can then set the time of charge or how much you want to charge and more (see owners manual for complete details). Good practice for maximizing battery longevity is to set charging to 80% unless you are going on a long trip, then set to 100%. Your settings will be retained unless you change them at a later date.

View attachment 1968

Changing these settings can also be done using "Hey Google, open charging settings" or, "Hey Google, set charge to 80%" (I think, I did not try during my demo)

Question about the charge settings. I set mine to 80%. It told me it would be done by 6:30 am, and it was!

And then it kept going? So I'm accidentally at 84%. Luckily I'm only using level one so it wasn't a huge deal, but I thought it would stop itself at 80 like it is set to?

 

[Nebula1701]

Question about the charge settings. I set mine to 80%. It told me it would be done by 6:30 am, and it was!

And then it kept going? So I'm accidentally at 84%. Luckily I'm only using level one so it wasn't a huge deal, but I thought it would stop itself at 80 like it is set to?

there will always be some variance in charge level below and above 80% it won't always be exact depending on pack voltage and pack maintenance.

Like my EUV is set to 80% but it usually stops at 78% to 82%.

 

[Steverino]

I agree, Pine. If installing a new circuit, go 6 gauge wire if you can for future proofing even if you are going to use it for a 30A circuit today. Later, if you need to upgrade the service you won't need to pull new wire.

 

[KevEQEV]

there will always be some variance in charge level below and above 80% it won't always be exact depending on pack voltage and pack maintenance.

Like my EUV is set to 80% but it usually stops at 78% to 82%.

That shouldn't greatly effect the battery's longevity right? As long as it's around that number it's good?

 

[Nebula1701]

That shouldn't greatly effect the battery's longevity right? As long as it's around that number it's good?

yeah