Jonathan Gitlin
The Chevrolet Bolt would not get sufficient respect. After early experiments just like the hand-built EV1 and the limited-run Spark EV, the Bolt was Normal Motors’ first mass-produced battery electrical automobile, beating Tesla’s Mannequin 3 to the market and boasting a sub-$40,000 price ticket when it launched in 2017. In 2021, the automobile acquired a (COVID-delayed) facelift, a worth reduce, and a second variant, referred to as the Bolt EUV, which had an extended wheelbase and extra inside room, plus the choice of GM’s Tremendous Cruise hands-free driver help.
We have lastly gotten a while behind the wheel of a Bolt EUV, simply in time for an additional worth reduce in June that sees the value of this is-it-a-hatchback, is-it-a-crossover begin at $27,200, making it the second-cheapest EV on sale (after the $25,600 Bolt EV). And apart from the truth that its fast-charging potential just isn’t notably quick, I am struggling to search out causes to keep away from this competent EV.
The unique Bolt EV turned out to be a hoot to drive—match one with barely grippier tires and it’ll embarrass a Golf GTI—however it acquired a nasty rap because of entrance seats that some discovered uncomfortable. Extra lately, there was a large recall affecting battery packs constructed by LG till 2022. These points are actually behind the Bolt; GM and LG set about changing the battery in each affected automobile, giving older-Bolt homeowners a pleasant power storage bump within the course of.
Jonathan Gitlin
So the battery drawback shouldn’t be a fear with the Bolt EUV. Mechanically, the automobile makes use of the identical powertrain because the smaller model—a 201 hp (150 kW) everlasting magnet electrical motor driving the entrance wheels, powered by a 65 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. That is adequate for an EPA-estimated vary of 249 miles (398 km), barely lowered in comparison with the Bolt EV, maybe because of the bigger frontal space.
In follow, our take a look at Bolt EUV averaged 3.7 miles/kWh (16.8 kWh/100 km), making it one of many extra environment friendly EVs on sale in the present day. Plugged right into a 48 A AC charger, the Bolt EUV battery will return to a 100% state of cost in about seven hours. However be ready to hold round a bit on highway journeys; the Bolt EUV maxes out at simply 55 kW.
