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HOW TO USE THE DUAL LEVEL CHARGE CORD

The Available Dual Level Charge Cord† provides a vehicle-controlled electrical connection to your charging location. The Dual Level Charge Cord allows you to swap between three-pronged (120V) and four-pronged (240V) plugs to best fit your charging needs.

Not all home grids support 240-volt charging, so it is recommended you consult with a professional electrician before attempting 240-volt charging.

HOW THE DUAL LEVEL CHARGE CORD WORKS

The Dual Level Charge Cord provides a vehicle-controlled electrical connection to your or charging location.

You can use the standard three-pronged 120-volt plug (NEMA 5-15) for Level 1 charging at your home (up to 1.4 kW) or the larger four-pronged 240-volt plug (NEMA 14-50) that provides Level 2 charging (up to 7.7 kWh), similar to AC charging stations you may find in public.

You can switch between three- and four-pronged plugs by simply removing the plug from the control box and snapping in the desired plug. Make sure the swappable plug assembly is fully seated into the Dual Level Charge Cord’s control box for correct operation. The connectors must be kept clean and dry when in use as poor conditions may lead to fire when charging. The plugs will take some effort to fully remove and insert but will fit snugly once snapped in.

Do not use wall adapters or extension cords of any kind with the Dual Level Charge Cord. For 240-volt charging, the cord is designed to work on a dedicated 40-amp or greater circuit. If you are unsure of your home’s circuit capacity, consult with a qualified electrician. Ensure that a qualified electrician checks for the proper installation of the NEMA 14-50 prior to use. For more information, see GM.com.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LEVEL 1 AND LEVEL 2 CHARGING

There are two types of charging you can do at home:

  • Level 1 charging† uses a 120-volt outlet, making it ideal for topping off your vehicle’s charge after making short trips or conveniently adding range even when you don’t have access to Level 2 or DC Fast Charging.
  • Level 2 charging† is faster than Level 1 charging but requires a 240-volt outlet and a home power grid that supports Level 2 charging. For most homes, this level of charging requires professional installation to support it. For more information on Level 2 charging, see GM.com.

SETTING UP THE CHARGE CORD

You’ll notice the Dual Level Charge Cord has three parts:

  • A three-pronged plug, similar to what most electrical devices use.
  • A four-pronged plug, similar to those used by large home appliances such as electric ovens.
  • A control box with a cord ending in the connector that plugs into your electric vehicle.
    • The control box has screw hooks on the back, so you have the option to mount it on a wall.

Follow these steps to set up the Dual Level Charge Cord:

SAFETY NOTE: It is important to use the default vehicle charging setting until you confirm with a professional electrician that the receptacle and circuit you intend to charge from is suitable for EV charging. Faster charging can overload circuits and can potentially cause damage to the circuit or start a fire. It is recommended that you use a dedicated individual branch circuit that has a reliable ground connection for EV charging.

1. To get started charging your vehicle with the Dual Level Charge Cord, identify a suitable wall outlet that is clean, dry and in good condition.

a. In most cases, you’ll only have access to the common three-pronged outlets.

b. If your home or parking location supports Level 2 charging, you can use the four-pronged plug provided for faster charging.

2. Once you’ve identified the type of outlet you’re plugging into, snap the corresponding plug into the receptacle opposite the charging cable outlet that connects to your vehicle.

a. If you have trouble snapping the plug into the control box, ensure that you have correctly aligned the connector by matching the “barn” shape of the plug end to the opening on the control box.

3. Connect the attachment plug into the electrical outlet.

4. The Dual Level Charge Cord will perform a short boot-up routine and be ready to charge your vehicle.

HOW TO CHARGE YOUR ELECTRIC VEHICLE WITH THE DUAL LEVEL CHARGE CORD

1. Once the Dual Level Charge Cord is assembled and plugged in, open the charging port door to access the charging port. The process is similar to accessing the fuel filler in a gas- or diesel-powered vehicle. 

2. Plug the cable’s vehicle coupler into the charging port.

a. You’ll see a blue light flash on your dashboard to confirm the vehicle has connected to the charger. The blue light does not mean your vehicle has started charging yet.

b. A blinking blue light on your dashboard means your vehicle has been set to delayed charging and will begin charging at a later time based on your charging settings.

i. Check the “Charge Later” or “Home Schedule” sections of the Charging App to figure out if you have delayed charging turned on.

c. A flashing green light on your dashboard will indicate your vehicle has begun to charge. The length of the blinks will increase as your vehicle charges up with:

i. Shorter blinks indicate a lower state of charge.

ii. Longer blinks indicate a higher state of charge. Once charging is complete, the light will light up solid green.

d. A solid green light indicates charging is complete.

3. A small hole in the vehicle connector's latch release allows you to secure your vehicle's charging connection with a padlock.

4. To disconnect the charging cable, press and hold the latch release button on the vehicle plug. Once disconnected from the vehicle, the charging cable can be unplugged from the wall by carefully pulling the inlet straight out from the outlet. Avoid pulling at an angle to prevent damage to the connectors.

IMPORTANT ELECTRICAL SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

There are a few important safety considerations to know before charging your electric vehicle with the Dual Level Charge Cord:

  • Level 2 charging with 240-volt plugs is faster than Level 1 charging with a three-pronged plug, but requires a proper 240-volt outlet within reach of the charging location to support 240-volt charging. It is recommended you consult with a professional electrician before attempting 240-volt charging.
  • Electric vehicle charging speed depends on the voltage of your wall outlet, the current capacity of the plug you are using, battery condition, vehicle settings and outside temperature.
  • See your vehicle’s Owner’s Manual for warnings and limitations.

TROUBLESHOOTING YOUR DUAL LEVEL CHARGE CORD

When plugged in, if the Dual Level Charge Cord is displaying an amber light and the vehicle will not charge, make sure the switchable plug assembly is fully seated into the Dual Level Charge Cord’s control box. The plugs will take effort to fully remove and insert, and may appear to be fully inserted, but may need additional force to be fully seated.

Warning: If there are signs of melting or scorching, do not touch the charge cord or attachment plug. Have a qualified electrician inspect and repair the issue. See your Owner’s Manual for more information.

For your security, please don’t include personal info such as phone number, address or credit card details.

RELATED LINKS AND RESOURCES

Learn to Charge Your EV at Home

Learn to Charge Your EV at a Public Charging Station

More on charging stations, faster Level 2 charging and home installation

Q&As

What are the benefits of charging only to 80%?

Charging your battery to 80% for daily use helps promote battery health and optimal regenerative braking performance. For longer trips, you can adjust your charge above 80% for extended range. See your Owner’s Manual for more information. 

Are there any other charging cables that I can use with my vehicle at public charging stations?

Yes, all GM electric vehicles can charge at compatible NACS-equipped chargers with the help of a GM-approved NACS charging cable or GM-approved accessory adapter. For more information on the NACS DC Adapter, go to https://www.gm.com/innovation/electrification/public-charging.

Are there any charging options that can give my electric vehicle a faster charge at home?

Yes! There are a couple of options for providing Level 2 charging at home: the GM PowerUp 2 11.5kW charger and the GM Energy bi-directional PowerShift 19.2kW Charger. Learn more about these charging options here.

How do I charge my electric vehicle faster?

Electric vehicle charging speed depends on the voltage of your wall outlet, the current capacity of the plug you are using, battery condition, vehicle settings and outside temperature. To optimize your vehicle's charging capabilities, you will need to use a hardwired charging station installed at your preferred charging location or use a public DC Fast Charging station.

Is the flashing red light on my dashboard the Charging Status Indicator or the Theft Deterrent light?

Your GM EV’s charging status indicator light shares the same display location with the theft deterrent light located on the top/center of the instrument panel. The theft deterrent light flashes red when your vehicle is off and unplugged, but if the light flashes red while the vehicle is connected for charging, this is an indication of a charging error.

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To find out if your vehicle has this feature, contact your dealer or refer to your vehicle’s equipment list. Please check your Owner’s Manual for more information about features.