Since 2015, the Chevrolet lineup has featured some of the most accessible electric vehicles on the market. While none of the models are particularly flashy or even expensive, they have provided a quiet force behind the auto industry’s electrification initiative. The Chevy Bolt EV, the bread and butter of Chevrolet’s electric lineup, is a really fun car that offers a lot of value despite being an entry-level electric vehicle.
While the Bolt EV takes on a similar silhouette to that of many entry-level hatchback EVs, it features a few flourishes that elevate it above its competitors.
The car’s front end presents itself as a particularly sporty car, with the thin aggressive lights and the geometric paneling replacing a grille painting a particularly striking facade. The lines adorning the hood and side panels of the car are streamlined. While the combination of the long, sloping roofline and the considerably pushed back rear door make the vehicle look more aerodynamic than the squat, compact cars in this category.
As far as specs go, the Chevy Bolt EV is incredibly economical. An estimated 259 miles of range per charge beats out competitors like the Hyundai Kona Electric but still doesn’t touch heavy hitters like the Tesla Model 3. However, with a starting price of $31,500, the Bolt EV is considerably better priced. The single-engine front-wheel-drive powertrain supplies 200 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque to power it to a 0-60mph time of 6.5 seconds.
Its charging capabilities include a dual-charging cord that will plug into both a Level 1 and a Level 2 charger, eliminating the need for a home charger for most owners. In addition, the car regains 100 miles of range from just 30 minutes of a Level 3 charger. The one-pedal driving regenerative braking feature gives a few extra miles back to the battery, which improves its range and safeguards against range anxiety.
The interior is an efficient space that provides ample room for five passengers with room for space in the trunk. Without folding the seats down, the trunk space offers 17 cubic feet of storage that can be increased to 57 cubic feet by simply lowering down the rear seats. The Bolt EV is well outfitted with a hybrid infotainment system that features both a touchscreen command center and a few knobs and buttons for more direct access to the more important features. The majority of the niceties, including sunroof, and semi-autonomous driving capabilities, were saved for the Bolt’s larger companion in Chevy’s EV lineup, the Bolt EUV.
However, the Bolt EV does have an impressive roster of safety features. It can be equipped with a 360-degree camera system and a rear cross-traffic alert and front pedestrian detection. It also enjoys a host of driver-assistance technology, including following distance indicator, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking.
As it stands, the Chevy Bolt is part of a rapidly expanding Chevrolet electric lineup. The Bolt EUV joins the longstanding Bolt EVt EUV, and the long-awaited Chevy Silverado EV; the Chevrolet line is quickly becoming a leader in the electrification process for American automakers. What’s more, GM as a whole is promising a completely electrified lineup by 2035. While many of their newest vehicles are too expensive for the average consumer, the Chevy Bolt EV provides an entry-level electric vehicle with plenty of range that doesn’t alienate the market in need of it most. In short, it’s a car for the people.
