The Chevrolet Bolt EV
Chevy Bolt Range
The Chevy Bolt EV is GM’s first long-range all-electric vehicle. It’s a “compact crossover” utility vehicle with 238 miles of range and a starting price of $37,500 before incentives.
GM started producing the Bolt in October 2016, and the vehicle made it to dealerships not long after in markets with ZEV mandates first, like California. The full US rollout was finished by the middle of 2017.
As of 2020, the Bolt has a range of 259 miles. This range is up from up from 238 miles for the 2017–2019 years. This equates to an EPA fuel economy rating of 119 miles per gallon gasoline-equivalent.
Chevy Bolt Price
Currently, Chevy is offering some great purchase incentives.
A recent Chevy bulletin sent to its dealers makes the all-electric Bolt model eligible for about $10,000 in lease incentives. Bolt buyers in San Francisco could get another $1,400 bonus, resulting in a three-year lease for the 2020 Chevy Bolt LT for $169 a month, with $2,219 due at signing.
Find the lowest purchase and lease price here on Electrek.
Chevy Bolt review
Despite its low purchase price, the Chevy Bolt has been struggling with sales. Recent reports show a 29.5% decrease from two years ago. Despite generally positive reviews, it’s clear that EV purchasers are looking for overall value versus just rock-bottom price.
Read our Chevy Bolt EV review here.
Chevy Bolt 2021 release date
In March 2020, GM announced a new Chevy Bolt that is set to be released in 2021. Seth Weintraub was on hand at a recent GM event where it was announced. It’s set to begin rolling out of the factory in late 2020, with most people taking delivery in 2021.
So at first glance, the 2021 Chevy Bolt looks a lot like the current Bolt. Bolt owners will notice significantly updated front fascia and rear lights. There’s also a bigger suite of cameras on the front windshield that will allow for adaptive cruise control (but not Supercruise, which the EUV will offer). Overall, I’m neutral on the new look. It’s certainly sportier, but it still looks like a Bolt. It reminds me of this Cruise Bolt we saw in this PowerPoint a while ago, but not exactly.
As Seth noted, the biggest change with the Bolt will be in the interior.
The seats are so much better. They feature much softer materials, lumbar support, more premium stitching, and electronic controls, at least for the driver. The dashboard is also more high-end, with nicer faux leather-type materials. There’s less neon blue lighting.
The steering wheel is now sportier, with a leveled-off bottom. It feels great. The HVAC buttons are all a lot more premium, and as far as I can tell, less redundant. The screens all got a UI refreshment, but they will be familiar to current Bolt owners.
Chevy now has USB-C ports that I’m told are more powerful than the 5W USB-A ports that it also still features. I was told they can also power laptops and tablets.
The shifter is gone, and there are now RND buttons where the shifter was. In addition, there is a one-pedal driving switch that you can leave on, which I suspect most Bolt owners will do. Currently you have to double tap to put it into “L” mode which is one-pedal driving. The regen paddle is staying as well, behind the steering wheel.
Infotainment gets a big upgrade, with more OTA update functionality.
Read his entire first look for more news. As we learn more information about the car, we will update this guide.
