Complete Charging Guide for Chevrolet's Electric Vehicle Lineup

Owning a Chevrolet electric vehicle goes far beyond simply plugging in when your battery runs low. The 2025 Equinox EV, 2025 Blazer EV, and 2026 Silverado EV come equipped with sophisticated charging management systems that can save you money, protect your battery health, and even power your adventures in ways you might not expect.

Modern Chevrolet EVs go beyond basic charging with intelligent features that work around your schedule and Ontario's electricity rates. These vehicles learn your routines, manage battery health automatically, and even serve as backup power sources when you need them most.

Understanding Chevrolet's Ultium Platform

Chevrolet's Ultium platform powers all three of these electric vehicles, but each one has different charging capabilities based on your needs. The 2025 Equinox EV comes standard with an 11.5 kW onboard charging module, perfect for daily commuting around Mississauga and the Greater Toronto Area. The 2025 Blazer EV steps up with up to 190 kW DC fast-charging capability and a 102 kWh battery pack, while the 2026 Silverado EV leads the way with up to 350 kW DC fast charging when you need maximum charging speed.

The Equinox EV offers up to 513 km of range on a full charge with front-wheel drive, making it ideal for families who primarily drive within Ontario. The Blazer EV provides up to 538 km of range with rear-wheel drive configuration, giving you extra confidence for weekend getaways. The Silverado EV, depending on battery pack, can deliver up to 793 km of range, perfect for work trucks that need to travel long distances.

Home Charging Made Simple

Setting up home charging is where most Ontario EV owners start, and for good reason. All Chevrolet EVs come with a Dual Level Charge Cord that plugs into a standard 120-volt outlet for Level 1 charging or a 240-volt outlet for faster Level 2 charging. For daily driving around Mississauga, overnight Level 1 charging often provides enough energy, adding roughly 6-8 km of range per hour.

Level 2 charging at home transforms your charging experience. With the Equinox EV and Blazer EV's 11.5 kW onboard charging capability, a professionally installed Level 2 charger can add significant range in just a few hours. The Silverado EV takes this further with available 19.2 kW Level 2 charging, adding up to an estimated 54 km per hour of charging when properly equipped.

Public Charging Across Ontario

When you need to charge away from home, Chevrolet EV drivers have access to over 25,000 public charging ports across Canada. This network includes Level 2 stations perfect for longer stops and DC fast-charging stations for quick top-ups. The Blazer EV's 190 kW DC fast-charging capability means you can add substantial range in the time it takes to grab coffee and stretch your legs.

One of the biggest advantages for Chevrolet EV owners is access to the Tesla Supercharger network. Using a GM-approved NACS DC Adapter, you can use over 17,800 Supercharger locations, expanding your total public charging network to over 231,800 chargers across Canada and the United States.

Mastering the In-Vehicle Charging App

Every Chevrolet EV includes a comprehensive Charging app through your infotainment system. The app provides four main sections: Next Charge, Charge Assist, Schedule, and Settings.

The Next Charge screen lets you choose "Charge Now" for immediate charging or "Charge Later" for scheduled sessions. When you select Charge Later, you set your departure time, and the vehicle calculates when to begin charging. This feature helps you take advantage of Ontario's time-of-use electricity rates.

The Target Charge Level Gauge adjusts your charging target from the minimum allowable level up to 100%. The default 80% setting optimizes battery longevity while providing ample range for daily driving around Mississauga and the Greater Toronto Area.

Smart Scheduling for Maximum Savings

The Schedule feature transforms your EV into an intelligent energy consumer that works with Ontario's electricity pricing structure. You can create custom charging plans for each day of the week, ensuring your vehicle charges during the most economical hours.

When plugged in at your designated Home Location, the Schedule feature automatically charges to your desired level and preconditions the cabin by your set departure time. For families with varying schedules, you can assign different days to different schedules or leave certain days unassigned.

Battery Health Through Intelligent Charging

Understanding proper charge level management protects your investment and ensures reliable performance. The 80% daily charging recommendation maximizes your battery's lifespan while providing sufficient range for typical driving patterns. Most Ontario drivers find 80% charge adequate for daily commuting and errands.

For extended journeys, charging above 80% gives you extra confidence and reduces charging stops. However, if your route includes steep mountain terrain or trailer towing, keep your charge at 80% or below to maximize regenerative braking effectiveness during descents.

Preconditioning for Enhanced Efficiency

Cabin preconditioning heats or cools your vehicle to your preferred temperature while drawing power from the charger rather than the battery. This results in a comfortable cabin and maximum driving range when you unplug.

Preconditioning activates at the end of your charging session, right before your scheduled departure time. During Ontario winters, this feature eliminates the need to warm up your vehicle using battery power, preserving range during cold-weather driving.

DC Fast Charging Intelligence

When using public DC fast charging stations, your Chevrolet EV automatically optimizes the charging session. The vehicle bypasses any scheduled departure times or charge limits, recognizing that fast charging situations typically indicate immediate driving needs.

During DC fast charging, the Blazer EV can accept up to 190 kW, while the Silverado EV supports up to 350 kW at compatible stations. The vehicle manages charging speed based on battery temperature, current charge level, and station capabilities. As your battery reaches higher charge levels, the charging speed gradually reduces to protect battery health.

The charging status displays real-time information including current charging rate, estimated completion time, and range accumulation per hour. This transparency helps you plan your charging stops and understand exactly how long you'll need to wait.

PowerBase: Your Mobile Energy Source

The Silverado EV features the PowerBase feature, transforming your truck into a mobile power station. This system allows you to share your vehicle's battery power through various connections, essentially turning your Silverado EV into a backup generator or power source for work sites, camping, or emergency situations.

PowerBase Controls include three main functions: Persistent Power, Charge Port Power, and Outlet Power. Persistent Power enables energy transfer when your vehicle is off, while Charge Port Power works when the vehicle is running. You can set battery level reserves to ensure enough power remains for driving, or use timers to automatically shut off power sharing.

The system can provide up to 10.2 kW of off-board power, sufficient to run construction tools, camping equipment, or even essential home appliances during power outages. This capability particularly appeals to contractors and outdoor enthusiasts who need reliable power in remote locations.

Monitoring and Troubleshooting

Your Chevrolet EV provides comprehensive feedback about charging status through visual and audio cues. The charge port light changes colour to indicate different charging states: solid blue for successful connection, blinking green during active charging, and solid green when charging completes.

The headlamp Charging Status Indicator provides an additional visual reference, with blue light bars filling toward the centre of the vehicle as charging progresses. These systems allow you to check charging progress from a distance without needing to approach your vehicle.

If charging issues occur, the system provides specific error codes and recommended actions through both the infotainment display and the charge port lighting. Most issues relate to connection problems, electrical outlet concerns, or temperature management situations that resolve automatically.

Key Features Comparison

Experience Advanced EV Technology at Applewood Chevrolet Buick GMC

Ready to discover how intelligent charging can simplify your daily routine while saving money? Our team at Applewood Chevrolet Buick GMC in Mississauga can walk you through these advanced features and help you find the perfect Chevrolet EV for your Ontario lifestyle.