My 2020 Chevy Bolt Got a New Battery, but Still Won’t Charge Past 80 Percent, and Now I’m Wondering What They Aren’t Telling Me

One of the benefits of owning an EV like the Chevy Bolt is knowing that battery-related recalls come with full replacements, and for many owners, that means getting a fresh start. But sometimes, even after a new battery is installed, things don’t work quite the way you expect right away. That’s what happened to Miguel, who recently picked up a 2020 Bolt with a new battery and noticed something he wasn’t sure about.

While strolling through the “Chevy Bolt EV and EUV Owners Group” on Facebook, I came across Miguel’s post describing an issue with his charge limit. Despite trying to update his settings, the car wouldn’t go past 80%. That led him to wonder whether the new battery was still under some kind of limit, and whether that was normal.

Miguel explained it like this:

“Got a 2020 Chevy Bolt that had the battery replaced, as far as I’m concerned, but the vehicle doesn’t charge above 80%. Even after going into the vehicle settings, it just goes back to the 80% line. Does the limiter apply on the new batteries too? New to this vehicle. I tried to look it up but got confused.”

It’s a valid question, and one that a few other owners chimed in to help clarify.

Why the 80% Limit Might Still Be There

Even though the battery has been replaced, the vehicle may still have an 80% charge cap for a short period of time. According to several experienced owners, this is part of a diagnostic protocol built into the software. It’s not a defect or a setting that was overlooked, it’s something Chevy programmed intentionally.

A fellow owner named Mike Kimura responded with a helpful explanation:

“Advanced diagnostic software will limit charge to 80% until 10,000 km or 6,214 miles have been driven, and then the 80% limit will be removed. It appears the main battery was replaced on October 3, 2024, and the mileage was 36,365 miles. Is your odometer past 42,579 miles? That's when the 80% limit should automatically be removed.”

So if your Bolt had its battery replaced and it’s still under 6,200 miles since that replacement, you may just need to put a few more miles on the odometer before full charging becomes available again.

What Other Bolt Owners Are Saying

Situations like Miguel’s aren’t uncommon, especially for people who are new to the Bolt or just getting into EV ownership. That’s why it’s so valuable to connect with others who’ve already been through it.

Some owners have shared stories about learning the ins and outs of post-recall behavior. Others, like in this story about Chevy Bolt transition issues following a battery replacement, experienced similar moments of confusion during the first few weeks or months.

That early adjustment period can take time, especially when the vehicle is working through background diagnostics. The good news is that once the mileage threshold is met, the system automatically allows you to return to full charging without the need for a dealer visit.

A Reminder About Manual Settings

One important thing to check before assuming it’s a software lock: make sure the car’s settings don’t have a manual charge limit turned on. The Bolt gives drivers the option to set a charge cap to 80% or 90% for battery longevity, and if that setting is active, the car won’t charge to full even when allowed.

But if you’ve already checked the settings and nothing changes, then the mileage-based limit mentioned by Mike is most likely the reason.

Bolt Ownership Has Its Learning Moments

For many drivers, the Bolt has been a reliable, efficient vehicle with low running costs. And with the benefit of a new battery, it can feel like you’re driving a brand-new EV, just with a few quirks to learn along the way.

If you’re curious about what long-term Bolt ownership looks like, here’s a great example: one driver shared how their Chevy Bolt was so dependable that they spent more on windshield washer fluid than repairs over two years.

Others have highlighted the value in features like one-pedal driving, even if it comes with its own learning curve, like in this article where an owner explains how Maine’s salty winter roads took a toll on their brakes from lack of use.

And when it comes to public charging, some Bolt drivers have found ways to make the most of their setup, especially when they realize that the Bolt's DC charging speeds can still outperform many newer EVs in certain conditions.

My Takeaway from Miguel’s Experience

I think Miguel’s post is a good reminder that not everything needs fixing, sometimes you just need to wait it out. The 80% charge limit after a battery replacement isn’t a flaw, and it doesn’t mean something is wrong with the vehicle. It’s simply a built-in safeguard.

Once you pass the mileage checkpoint, the system does the rest on its own. No dealership appointment, no button to push, just drive it, enjoy it, and let the car take care of the rest.

And if you’re still curious about what it costs to drive a Bolt every day, this article explains how little Chevy Bolt owners actually pay per mile thanks to electricity savings and low maintenance.

What to Do If You’re Still Unsure

If you’re in the same situation as Miguel and not sure whether your charge limit is part of the post-replacement process, here are a few steps to try:

• Check your odometer and compare it to the battery replacement date. If you’re still under 6,214 miles since the battery was replaced, the limiter is likely still active.

• Confirm that your manual charging limit isn’t toggled on in the settings menu.

• Ask your dealership or service advisor to confirm whether the limiter is still in place, and when it should lift automatically.

And of course, don’t hesitate to reach out to online communities like the Facebook group Miguel posted in. Many Bolt owners are more than willing to offer advice, share their experience, and walk new owners through these types of situations.

Moral of the Story

Understanding your EV’s software behavior is just as important as knowing what’s under the hood.

In Miguel’s case, there was nothing wrong with the car, it was simply following a temporary limit designed to keep things safe and smooth after a major battery upgrade. Sometimes, all it takes is a few more miles to unlock full functionality.

Join the Conversation

• Have you ever experienced a charge cap after your Bolt had a new battery installed?

• How long did it take before your car started charging to 100% again?

Share your story in the comments below, your input might help the next new owner make sense of their own experience.

Narek Hareyan is a young automotive journalist with experience in a golf cart dealership and an interest in the automotive industry. Follow Narek on X for daily news coverage about cars.

Image source: Miguels Facebook Post & Grok