100 Amp Home EV Charging Solution - PowerSmart

There’s a lot of confusion out there about owning an EV if your house only has a 100-amp electrical panel. Search around online and you’ll see plenty of people saying you must upgrade to 200 amps before you can think about charging at home. I’m here to tell you that’s not true.

Yes, a bigger panel gives you more breathing room, but you can absolutely run a Level 2 charger on 100 amps if you’re smart about it. The main concern is that the panel has less headroom for things like the oven, dryer, or AC running at the same time. If too much happens at once, you can push the system to its limit.

When I first got my Bolt, I was careful to only charge overnight when nothing else was running. That worked for me, but not everyone in the house remembers to think that way. I needed a solution that could keep everything safe without requiring constant attention.

That’s where Emporia comes in. They make the smart charger I use, and they also sell the Vue Energy Monitor. The Vue is a little device with sensors that clamp onto the main service wires inside your panel. It watches how much power your house is using in real time and talks directly to the charger.

Here’s the clever part: if the monitor sees the house pulling close to the 100-amp limit, it tells the charger to back off automatically. As soon as things calm down, charging speeds back up. No breaker trips, no manual scheduling, no stress.

The monitor itself costs about $99 for the base version, and if you want to unlock the load management feature, called PowerSmart, in the app you’ll need to buy a software upgrade that runs $125–$200 depending on your charger. Compared to the thousands of dollars a panel upgrade can cost, it’s an absolute bargain.

If you’re comfortable with light electrical work, installing the Vue is pretty straightforward. The sensors just snap around the main service wires in your panel — nothing gets cut or spliced. Hook it up, connect it to Wi-Fi, pair it with the charger in the app, and you’re off and running.

DIY Setup Guide

If you’re comfortable working around your panel, this project is very doable as a DIY job. Here’s the basic process:

1. Install the Emporia Charger on a 240V circuit. If you already have a dryer or range outlet, sometimes a splitter can be used, but ideally you’ll want the charger on its own breaker.

2. Install the Vue Monitor by clamping the two sensors around the main service feeds in your panel. This step does mean opening the panel, so be cautious and take your time. The clamps snap around the wires — you don’t cut or strip anything.

3. Connect the Vue to Wi-Fi and link it to your Emporia app.

4. Enable the Power Smart feature in the app. This is a paid upgrade ($125–$200 depending on charger version).

5. Pair the Charger and Monitor. Once connected, the system automatically balances charging with your household power use.

6. Test it out — run a few appliances while charging and watch the charger throttle itself down when needed.

I’ve had this setup running for a few weeks now and it has been flawless. Charging happens at the maximum speed my house can handle, and I can see exactly where my power is going in the app. Owning an EV with a 100-amp panel is totally possible, and Emporia’s system makes it easy.

First Accessory Purchase: Roof Rack Cross Bars.

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When I bought roof rack cross bars for our Buick a while back, I didn’t think they would become such an essential part of how we travel. After owning them for a year, it’s safe to say I won’t buy another car without adding a set. With a couple of ratchet straps, I can haul just about anything we bring home from the store. One of my favorite examples was when we brought home a huge rug from HomeSense, strapped it to the top, and drove home without any issues. We also keep a roof basket that attaches to the bars, and it has completely changed the way we pack for vacations. Instead of stuffing every inch of the trunk, we can toss a big duffel bag or extra gear up top and enjoy the drive with some breathing room inside the car.

So naturally, when the Chevy Bolt came home, the first accessory I ordered was a set of cross bars. I went with the Wonderdriver cross bars on Amazon, which are rated for 220 pounds. They mount to the factory roof rails (if your Bolt has them) and the install couldn’t have been simpler. It took me about 15 minutes from opening the package to tightening the last screw. The kit even included some extra hardware and stick-on cushions that go between the brackets and the rails, which helps protect the car’s finish.

The best part is they don’t add any extra noise when driving. I was worried there might be a constant whistle on the highway, but after a couple of trips I haven’t noticed anything different compared to stock. Now we’ve got the flexibility to bring along bigger items again, just like with the Buick, and it feels like the car is more complete. For me, roof racks have gone from a nice-to-have to mandatory.

First Family Drive in the Chevy Bolt: Danvers to Hampton

Last night I fully charged the Bolt to 100% and woke up ready to take the family on our first real trip in it. We decided on a drive up Route 1 to Hampton, NH so we could hit a few stores. It's about an hour from home. Nothing epic, but a good first test.

When I unplugged in the morning, the display showed three range estimates:

• Max: 300 miles

• Average: 255 miles

• Min: 182 miles

That range spread is GM’s way of showing how far you might go depending on driving style, terrain, and accessory use. It’s actually reassuring because you’re not locked into one number—you get the optimistic, the realistic, and the cautious guess.

The Drive

The ride up Route 1 was quiet and smooth. No air conditioning, no radio, just three passengers and windows down. By the time we got back from Hampton, I had used 14.6 kWh over 71.4 miles, which works out to about 4.9 miles per kWh. For context, the EPA rating for the Bolt is 3.9 mi/kWh, so this was very efficient driving.

When we parked, the range adjusted to show:

• Max: 239 miles

• Average: 203 miles

• Min: 166 miles

Not bad at all considering the car still had plenty of charge left. 

The Food Stop

We went to the Shaw's at Lafayette Crossing to grab some pre-made ham and turkey sandwiches, parked the Bolt in the shade at the Dunkin Donuts across the street, and hung out for a bit. The car had plenty of room and everyone was comfortable. Even opening the giant bag of popcorn we bought was easy and I never felt cramped. I appreciated the cubby under the radio that fit my wife's large bag perfectly, giving her more room than our other cars in the past.

Driving in “L”

The whole trip was done in “L” mode, which is GM’s single-pedal driving setting. Instead of constantly moving between the accelerator and brake, you just use the accelerator to both go and slow down. Lift your foot and the car automatically applies strong regenerative braking, sending energy back into the battery while slowing the car smoothly.

It takes a little practice, but once you get the hang of it, you hardly ever touch the brake pedal except at the very end of a stop. On this Route 1 drive of mixed speeds and stops, it felt natural and comfortable. I highly recommend this mode. 

First Impressions

• Comfort: For a compact hatchback, the Bolt was comfortable for the whole family during an hour-long drive. The leather seats are perforated, but not actively cooled. The seats were comfortable and didn't make you feel sweaty like most on a hot day...something I was worried about.

• Noise: Almost no road noise or wind buffeting, which made the ride relaxing. 

• Efficiency: 4.9 mi/kWh is better than expected and should make longer trips easier, for people with DC fast charging, with fewer charging stops.

• Simplicity: Plug in overnight, wake up full, drive. Hard to beat that.

What the Numbers Mean

At 4.9 mi/kWh, the Bolt’s 66 kWh battery could theoretically deliver over 320 miles of range. Realistically, you’ll never hit that number because of weather, traffic, and accessory use, but it shows what the car is capable of.

Put another way: from Danvers you could reach New York City on a single charge if you drove carefully, or comfortably make it to Portland, Maine and back with miles to spare.

For a car that many people dismiss as “just a commuter,” this first trip showed me it’s ready for much bigger family adventures.

Picking Up My Chevy Bolt at CarMax Danvers: A Smooth Experience

Today I went to CarMax Danvers to pick up my Chevy Bolt. Before signing everything, I took it out for a test drive to make sure everything was in good shape.

Right away, I noticed that CarMax Danvers had gone above and beyond. The car had originally come from another CarMax location in Maryland, and there were a few cosmetic issues left unaddressed there. The Danvers team fixed them without me even asking. On top of that, they replaced the missing 120v charger and flat tire kit, also without me having to say a word. The car was spotless and waiting for me when I arrived.

The whole process took about two hours. That might not sound like much, but it feels like forever when you’ve got a three-year-old in tow. Even with that, the staff did a good job moving everything along quickly. Out of the four cars I’ve bought from CarMax, this was actually not the smoothest but was the fastest experience I’ve had. The only thing that slowed us down was a stubborn screw that stripped while they were trying to get the old license plate off. The plate got a bit mangled but they got it off. 

I traded in a 2022 Corolla SE, and already the Bolt feels like a better car. Driving it home made me realize how much happier I am with this car compared to the Corolla. 

CarMax has mostly earned my trust over the years. The people working there aren’t perfect, but most of them genuinely try to do the right thing and take care of customers. They’ve always been helpful, and I don’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone looking for a car. The Danvers store may not be representative of the entire chain, but they do a good job there. You will have a much better experience with them than any of the other dealers on 114. 

Tomorrow i'll be taking it up to NH with a full charge. Stay tuned to see how that goes!

Understanding the National Grid Off-Peak EV Program

When I first started reading about National Grid’s Off-Peak EV Charging Program, I noticed a lot of confusion online (especially on Reddit). The good news is the program isn’t complicated once you break it down. If you drive an EV in Massachusetts and charge at home, this program can save you money just by plugging in at the right time.

How It Works

National Grid wants to encourage EV owners to charge their cars when the overall demand for electricity is lower. If you sign up, you’ll earn a rebate every month for charging your EV during off-peak hours.

• Off-Peak Hours: Weeknights from 9 pm to 1 pm the next day

• Peak Hours: Weekdays from 1 pm to 9 pm

• Weekends and Holidays: Treated as peak hours all day (no off-peak rebates)

Holidays That Count as Peak

Here’s the full list of holidays when charging is considered peak all day, even overnight (meaning no rebate):

• New Year’s Day (observed)

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day

• Presidents’ Day

• Memorial Day

• Juneteenth

• Independence Day

• Labor Day

• Veterans Day (observed)

• Thanksgiving Day

• Day After Thanksgiving

• Christmas Day

So, for example, if you plug in your EV at 10 pm on the 4th of July, it won’t count as off-peak and you will not receive a rebate.

Why It Matters

This program gives you cash back as bill credits every month just for smart charging. The exact rebate can vary, but the idea is simple: the more you shift your charging into off-peak hours, the bigger the benefit. And you don’t have to change how you drive, just when you plug in.

Bottom Line

• Charge on weeknights after 9 pm and before 1 pm the next day.

• Avoid charging during weekday afternoons, weekends, and the listed holidays if you want to maximize your rebate.

It really is that simple once you see the breakdown.

How to connect your charger to the program

National Grid doesn’t just take your word for when you’re charging — your charger needs to share charging data with them. Here’s how that works:

1. Get a compatible smart charger.
   Not all chargers can talk to National Grid. Popular options like ChargePoint Home Flex, JuiceBox, and Emporia are supported.

2. Download the app for your charger.
   Each smart charger has its own app where you can create an account. Once your charger is installed, you’ll get instructions (or see a menu option in the app) to connect with the National Grid program. 

3. Link your account to National Grid.
   Usually this means logging into your charger’s account and approving data sharing. You'll also need to download the National Grid app to get this going. Here is the app for Android and iOS.

4. That’s it.
   From there, National Grid can see when you’re charging. You just need to plug in during off-peak hours to earn the credit.

If you need more information you can visit the National Grid page for this rebate program.

How to Download Your GM Vehicle’s Window Sticker

If you’ve ever misplaced your vehicle’s original window sticker, you’ll be glad to know General Motors makes it easy to get a digital copy — no dealer visit required.

Your window sticker is a valuable resource that lists your car’s original MSRP, factory options, standard equipment, and fuel economy ratings. It’s handy for resale, insurance, or simply keeping your records complete.

How to Get Yours

1. Find your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). You can locate it on your registration, insurance card, or on the dashboard near the windshield.

2. Copy and paste the link below into your browser:

https://cws.gm.com/vs-cws/vehshop/v2/vehicle/windowsticker?vin=[YOUR VIN NUMBER HERE]

3. Replace [YOUR VIN NUMBER HERE] with your actual VIN.

4. Press Enter, and your browser will open a PDF of your original window sticker. You can view, download, or print it.

Example:
If your VIN is 1G1FW6S06K4101234, your link would look like:

https://cws.gm.com/vs-cws/vehshop/v2/vehicle/windowsticker?vin=1G1FW6S06K4101234

A Few Notes

• Works for most GM brands: Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, and Buick.

• Availability depends on the model year — generally works for newer vehicles (approx. 2013+).

• If it doesn’t load, the record might not be in GM’s online archive.

This little trick is especially useful when shopping for a used car — you can see exactly how it was optioned from the factory before buying.

What Comes in the Chevy Bolt’s Emergency Trunk Kit

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My Bolt delivery has been delayed in delivery because the dealer (CarMax) noticed something important. The factory emergency kit was missing its Level 1 charger. Since that’s one of the core items that comes with the car, I thought it would be a good time to go over exactly what’s included in the kit, so other buyers can double-check theirs.

In the trunk, tucked into the storage area under the floor, the Bolt includes:

• Level 1 Charger (120V) — This plugs into a standard household outlet and provides slow charging in a pinch. Not a long-term charging solution, but essential for emergencies or when traveling somewhere without Level 2 charging.

• 12V Air Compressor — Plugs into the car’s 12V outlet and can inflate a low or flat tire enough to get you moving again.

• Tire Sealant Canister — Designed to work with the included compressor, this sealant can temporarily patch small punctures so you can get to a repair shop.

• Tow Hook Bolt — Screws into a hidden threaded port behind a removable cover on the bumper, allowing the car to be winched or pulled without damaging the frame.

• Flathead/Phillips Screwdriver — Primarily for removing the tow hook cover plate or other minor roadside fixes.

• Emergency Triangle — A reflective roadside warning triangle you can set behind the car to alert other drivers if you’re stopped, especially at night or in low visibility conditions.

Why It Matters to Check Your Kit

It’s worth inspecting your kit as soon as you get the car, especially if buying used. Items like the Level 1 charger or compressor are easy to misplace or forget after a previous owner has cleaned out the car. Replacing these through a dealer can be surprisingly expensive, and they’re good to have ready before you ever need them.

Small Upgrades Worth Considering

While the factory kit covers the basics, adding a few extra items can make you even more prepared: a tire plug kit, a small flashlight, gloves, a compact first aid kit, and even a portable jump starter (EVs still rely on a 12V battery for certain systems). For under $50 on Amazon you can find pre-made kits with most or all of these items.

The takeaway? The Chevy Bolt’s factory kit is well thought out, but only if it’s complete. Mine being missing the charger is an inconvenience, but it’s far better to find that out before delivery than when I’m stranded somewhere.

Image Courtesy: BrandEver chevybolt.org