Chevy Bolt offers EPA-estimated 238 miles of electric range (updated with Opel e-Ampera)
13 September 2016
When the 2017 Chevy Bolt EV goes on sale later this year, it will be with an EPA-estimated range of 238 miles (383 km).
Bolt will have an expected MSRP below $37,500 and before available federal tax credit of up to $7,500. Plenty of range, cargo space, technology and safety features make the Bolt EV an attractive package.
Final Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price is not yet announced and does not include, tax, title, license or optional equipment. Actual savings from the federal government depend on individual tax situations.
The Bolt’s European cousin, the Opel e-Ampera, will offer a provisional range (NEDC) of more than 400 km (248.6 miles).
This is over twice the range of the 37,000 USD Leaf with a 107 mile range. I can’t see how Nissan will be able to sell any BEVs in a year if they do not increase range to over 200 miles and keep its current price.
When Model 3 arrives in late 2017 the BEV market will be turned upside down once more. I think the Bolt will get a price cut to 30,000 USD to compete with Model 3 in 2018. All other BEV makers will perish or step it up in a big way from their current offerings.
Posted by: Account Deleted | 13 September 2016 at 02:17 AM
Many thought the Bolt would not have fast charging built in, and GM were vague on it, but apparently it has:
'Bolt EV offers available DC Fast Charging capability, which provides a GM-estimated up to 90 miles of range in about 30 minutes of charge time. That’s enough time to enjoy a cup of coffee. DC Fast Charging stations are available for public use and are perfect for topping off your charge while on the go.'
http://www.chevrolet.com/bolt-ev-electric-vehicle.html
So 50kw fast charging built in as standard, by the looks of it.
Here in the UK if they ever get around to making a RHD version it would be perfectly practical although a bit less than perfectly convenient for long range travel as most or perhaps now all motorway service stations have fast chargers.
Posted by: Davemart | 13 September 2016 at 02:40 AM
Maybe not standard, the GM engineer in the video seems to indicate DC fast charging as an option:
http://insideevs.com/gm-releases-video-library-of-what-the-238-mile-chevrolet-bolt-ev-can-do/
Posted by: Davemart | 13 September 2016 at 03:37 AM
A GM employee going by the handle a1smith on the Seeking Alpha forums was keen to point out that the SAE connector on the Bolt is good for 100kw.
If I get inside tit-bits I will post here! :-)
Posted by: Davemart | 13 September 2016 at 07:56 AM
A 30-minutes lunch and coffee every 90 miles on long trips (500 miles/day) will blow up current (40+%) overweight Americans to 50%?
Those 40+% would be better off with Volts, TESLA S90 or S100 or equivalent with extended range capabilities.
Otherwise, short range BEVs will (indirectly) contribute to 50+ over weight in less than 5 years.
Posted by: HarveyD | 13 September 2016 at 09:06 AM
The vast majority of EV charging will happen at home.
These public chargers are following a model of gas stations for ICE cars that I don't believe are appropriate for electric cars.
It will take a while for the right mode of charging to become apparent. I think Tesla has it right.
see http://supercharge.info/
Posted by: TM | 13 September 2016 at 12:22 PM
> lunch and coffee every 90 miles on long trips ... will blow up ... overweight Americans...
Har, Har, Harvey. I've noted your sly humor before, but you've outdone yourself with this one.
An even more clever five year plan.
500-50-5
Diabolical humor, Harv.
Posted by: electric-car-insider.com | 13 September 2016 at 02:04 PM
Nice one Harvey! I have to agree though, stopping at highway food/fuel areas has never been pleasant, in my experience. This is the only downside (for me) to long-range EV charging at present. The food, for want of a better term, is of the variety that will send cholesterol levels soaring, and with the screaming kids and adults jabbering into their phones, you're pretty happy when you can get the hell out of there.
Hopefully the rise of dedicated EV charging facilities will prompt an upgrade in the ancillary services offered around them as your car gets juiced. When travelling long distance here in Australia, I personally prefer to stop as least as possible, but that may be due to our ridiculous 110 km/h which places you squarely in the 'drone zone' on the very tedious Sydney-Melbourne Hume Highway. Like a bad movie, you want it over as quickly as possible.
Posted by: Biff | 13 September 2016 at 10:02 PM
Who has 500 mile days? really.
charge at home and you'll have a 200 mile range. with 60 mph avg speed, that means you'll be able to drive for 3 h 20 min. A break would be nice then.
More likely, you'll drive for 2 hours and top up the battery, and continue?
I'd think the avg. person doesn't do 500 mile days... ever.
Posted by: Ing. A.S.Stefanes | 13 September 2016 at 11:21 PM
I do 550 mile days about twice a quarter. It's easy in a Tesla.
I'll let you know how it goes in the Bolt, Harvey. I generally walk to the healthiest food within a few blocks. Good to stretch and get some exercise after 3 hours on the road, as Ing points out.
Posted by: electric-car-insider.com | 14 September 2016 at 12:01 AM
We all know that Fast Food places normally collocated with current/future charge stations are/will be about the worst place to eat a quick lunch or have a coffee and donut.
Two or three of those or every long trips will be catastrophic for your health.
That is an excellent reason to buy a current TESLA S-100 or a 2018 S-120+ or a Volt like PHEV or one of the affordable extended range quick refill FCEVs.
Posted by: HarveyD | 14 September 2016 at 10:41 AM
Nothing prevents any health concious person from packing a lunch and filling a thermos.
Posted by: electric-car-insider.com | 14 September 2016 at 12:39 PM
Who has 500 mile days? really.
You have to be kidding? I sometimes do 800 mile days. Also, we have stretches out here in Utah and Nevada where it is well over 100 miles between gas stations. I sometimes drive from SLC to Ely, NV which is 257 miles at either 70, 75 or 80 mph. I doubt that a Tesla would make it. Maybe there are charging facilities in Wendover but I doubt it.
Posted by: sd | 14 September 2016 at 12:55 PM
Oh yea of little faith (in Tesla), sd. Yes there is a Supercharger in Wendover, and Nephi if you want to take the southern route.
The trip would be a snap. Your charge time would be less than 15 minutes to make it with plenty of reserve (you don't actually have to charge if you keep the speed to 65, which admittedly is kinda pokey out there).
If you had lunch and charged for 30 minutes, you could roll into Ely with 175 miles remaining and make the return trip to Wendover without charging. Another 20 minute break and you're on the road home.
Posted by: electric-car-insider.com | 14 September 2016 at 06:39 PM
electric-car-insider.com
Glad to hear about the charger in Wendover. I still might be a little concerned about Wendover to Ely and back and would definitely be concerned about Nephi to Ely and back as it is 404 miles round trip. I think that a lot of people on the coasts or even in the mid-west do not realize how empty it is in some parts of the inter-mountain west. A few years back I drove about 8 hours on dirt roads in western Utah and never passed another vehicle.
Anyway, I commend GM for having a reasonably priced car with 238 miles or range (which would be less at 80 mph) and hope that Tesla is successful with the Model 3.
Posted by: sd | 15 September 2016 at 07:28 AM
Glad to hear another persons take on the need for extended ranges by some folks. You don't have to be in the wilderness to appreciate the ultimate flexibility that extended range along with fast charging/refueling (and by fast I mean fast "not 30 or more minutes which necessitates more planning than we have been spoiled to expect") offers.
There are many people who take 300, 400, 500 and more mile trips on quite a regular basis, often travelling at speeds near 80 mph the entire way to expedite their journeys. (I would estimate at least 10% of the population take such a trip at least once a year). We keep trotting out average travel distance by the entire population and forget that the average hides the extremes that may be infrequent but drive the requirement for any technology.
I often do 320+ mile trips without even stopping (It is about a 4:45 hour drive which is well within the endurance of many folks, especially if they are in a comfortable vehicle). Every once in a while, a 500, 600 or 700 mile trip will also be taken, again with maybe no more than 20 to 30 minutes of total breaks the entire trip.
Posted by: Sheldon Harrison | 17 September 2016 at 05:58 PM
It's a matter of cost/benefit, Sheldon. If the money saved by using electricity vs gas or hydrogen is worth taking a meal and stretch break and extending your total travel time, people will do it. If not, they'll drive an ICE.
But it will take a very dedicated H2 proponent to drive an FCV for $500/month all year vs a plug-in hybrid for $250 month because they're unwilling to burn fossil fuels the few times a year they drive several hundred miles.
$3,000 per year delta is a very high premium for avoiding gasoline a few times a year.
$30,000 over 10 years. That's a big enough savings to pay for the PHEV, or a BEV and the occasional car rental (or airplane ticket).
Posted by: electric-car-insider.com | 17 September 2016 at 07:55 PM
@Sheldon Harrison "There are many people who take 300, 400, 500 and more mile trips" You miss the point. The word "many" is a relative comparison. There are not many people, compared to the entire population of drivers, who regularly drive 300 miles in one day. "I would estimate at least 10%" Where did you get this estimate? It's about as reliable as Trump's estimate of his inauguration crowd size. They don't do it because it is dangerous because of fatigue, including in your case. One day it will catch up to you. The average daily distance travelled is a much better measurement than the maximum single-charge range required to sell a large number of BEVs, especially when millions of cheaper, more comfortable ICE cars are available for those who need long distance.
Posted by: Zhukova | 07 February 2017 at 07:57 AM