GM Announces a ​New Collaboration That Gives Bolt EV Owners Access to the Largest Charging Network in the U.S.

author: Eric Walz   

General Motors has announced it will collaborate with the operators of three largest electric vehicle (EV) charging networks in the U.S., to make is easier for owners of the electric Bolt to charge their vehicles. The automaker announced a collaboration with EV charging providers EVgo, ChargePoint and Greenlots, which will create the largest EV charging network in the U.S.

The deal will give drivers of Bolt EV access to 31,000 charging locations across the U.S.

"GM believes in an all-electric future, and this is a significant step to make charging easier for our customers," said Doug Parks, General Motors vice president of Autonomous and Electric Vehicle Programs. "By collaborating with these three companies, we expect to reduce barriers to create a stronger EV infrastructure for the future. This is an important step toward achieving GM's vision of a world with zero emissions."

GM plans to aggregate dynamic data from each of the EV charging networks so Bolt owners can have a more seamless charging experience.

Dynamic charging information received from EVgo, ChargePoint and Greenlots will enhance future versions of the company's myChevrolet app. New information to be provided by the charging networks will include real-time data on charge station health to report if a charging station is working, available and compatible with a Bolt EV, offering a one-stop shop for all range and charging data before or during a trip.

An EVgo Charging station

GM also expects to make enrollment for charging with these networks easier by creating a single smartphone app to access and activate a charging session on all three networks. This way, drivers will not have to create an seperate account for each provider.

The myChevrolet app was recently updated to enable projection of the Energy Assist app features to the vehicle's infotainment system via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for drivers with model year 2017 or newer Bolt EVs. GM's Energy Assist feature calculates how much energy, in kWh, a trip will take.

The update allows Chevy Bolt EV drivers to access certain features right from their vehicle's infotainment system, such as vehicle range, charging station locations and route planning based on the percentage of charge remaining on the Bolt's battery pack.

The feature might help with the "range anxiety" associated with EV's, where drivers stress over whether their vehicle will have enough charge to reach the destination.

Original purchasers of new Bolt EVs will have access to these features at no additional cost for five years from the vehicle delivery date after they accept the myChevrolet mobile app terms.  

This is the second collaboration between GM and EVgo. GM's Maven Gig and EVgo partnered in early 2018 to deliver the nation's first dedicated fast-charging network for Uber and Lyft drivers.

EVgo is America's Largest Public Fast Charging Network, delivering up to 90 miles of range in just 30 minutes. EVgo's fast chargers are compatible with all EV models currently on the market that accept DC Fast Charging, which is an available option on the Bolt.

EVgo operates more than 1,000 fast chargers and more than 1,000 Level 2 chargers in 66 metropolitan markets and 34 U.S. states.

GM expects to finalize the terms of its collaboration and agreements with EVgo, ChargePoint and Greenlots during the first quarter of 2019.

Eric Walz

Originally hailing from New Jersey, Eric is a automotive & technology reporter covering the high-tech industry here in Silicon Valley. He has over 15 years of automotive experience and a bachelors degree in computer science. These skills, combined with technical writing and news reporting, allows him to fully understand and identify new and innovative technologies in the auto industry and beyond. He has worked at Uber on self-driving cars and as a technical writer, helping people to understand and work with technology.