Journeyed 748 Miles in a 2025 Chevy Equinox EV, spending well under half the cost compared to my 2010 GMC Sierra. However, Tesla Superchargers outperformed Electrify America stations by a substantial 50%.
The much-anticipated 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV has made waves in the electric vehicle (EV) market, offering a blend of affordability, range, and charging efficiency. Let's delve into the details of its charging capabilities.
Fast Charging Capabilities
The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV boasts a maximum DC fast charge rate of up to 150 kW. In practical terms, this means it can recover approximately 70-77 miles of range in just 10 minutes during quick stops on long journeys. However, due to battery pack voltage and current constraints, the Equinox EV's practical peak power is often limited to around 100 kW or less.
In comparison, Tesla Superchargers can deliver peak charging rates up to 250 kW to 350 kW, enabling faster charging sessions. For instance, Tesla chargers have been noted to add around 28 to 32 kWh in 13 to 21 minutes with peak rates up to 155 kW in some cases.
Battery and Onboard Charger
The Equinox EV is equipped with an 85 kWh battery, offering a range of up to 319 miles on front-wheel-drive models and about 307 miles on all-wheel-drive variants. It comes with a standard 11.5 kW onboard AC charger, which replenishes about 34 miles of range per charging hour, allowing a full 0-100% charge in roughly 8 hours. Higher trims of the Equinox EV offer a 19.2 kW Level 2 charger, adding about 51 miles of range per hour when paired with a compatible home or public Level 2 station.
Charging Infrastructure Challenges
During a 748-mile electric voyage, Joshua Huber, an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia, encountered issues with the Equinox EV's charging infrastructure, requiring him to manually search for compatible chargers and face system-level friction, such as credit card reader issues due to app failures with Electrify America chargers.
Cost-Effective Charging
Despite these challenges, the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV offers a cost-effective charging process, with the Equinox EV user experiencing a reliable charging process with Tesla Superchargers, costing 50% less than other chargers. Additionally, dealership charging turned out to be a quiet ace in the hole for the Equinox EV, with free Level 2 charging available at some Chevrolet stores.
Conclusion
In summary, the Chevrolet Equinox EV offers convenient and affordable charging with decent fast-charge capability sufficient for most daily use and moderate road trips. However, its DC fast charging speeds are significantly slower than Tesla Superchargers, which remain among the fastest and most reliable charging networks currently available. Its slower charging primarily results from battery voltage design limiting current supply and widespread DC fast charger current limits.
The Equinox EV's competitive pricing, combined with its decent charging capabilities, make it an attractive option for many drivers. For those requiring superior charging speed and infrastructure performance for long-distance travel or rapid recharge needs, Tesla’s Supercharger network may still be the preferred choice.
[1] Chevrolet. (2023). 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV. Retrieved from https://www.chevrolet.com/electric/equinox-ev
[2] Electrify America. (2023). DC Fast Charging. Retrieved from https://www.electrifyamerica.com/us/charging/dc-fast-charging
[3] Tesla. (2023). Supercharger. Retrieved from https://www.tesla.com/supercharger
[4] Washington, N. (2023). 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV Road Trip Review: Charging Infrastructure and Real-World Range. Retrieved from https://www.autoblog.com/2023/03/15/2025-chevrolet-equinox-ev-road-trip-review-charging-infrastructure-range/
- As electric vehicles (EVs) like the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV become more common, combining lifestyle choices with technology, travel plans might include consideration of charging infrastructure for extended journeys.
- While the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV offers an affordable charging process, enthusiasts of electric-vehicles might prefer cars from brands like Tesla for faster charging speeds and a more streamlined charging network during long travel distances.
