While crossovers may be all the range right now, Chevrolet has just debuted a Battery Electric Vehicle that hopes to crossover EVs from niche vehicle into the mainstream.
2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV Photo: General Motors Canada
Today in Las Vegas at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show, General Motors CEO Mary Barra led a Press Conference to introduce a production version of the highly anticipated Bolt EV. The Bolt has seen a remarkable progression from concept vehicle, which was a surprise reveal at the 2015 North American International Autoshow in Detroit to production model in the span of a year.
See Also: 2016 Chevrolet Volt and Chevrolet Bolt Reveal – Detroit Auto Show
The Bolt aims to go where no mainline EV has gone before – that being a full battery electric vehicle with a range greater than 200 miles (320 kilometres), while priced around $30,000 USD (after government rebates). Up until now the 1-2 combo of a driving range with mass-market appeal combined with a price point capable of achieving high volume sales has evaded automakers. Lower priced EVs such as a Nissan Leaf or Kia Soul EV were constrained by driving ranges of around 100 miles (160 kilometres) which made it difficult to become a daily use vehicle for many. Range anxieties are not a factor with current Tesla vehicles such as the Model S and the recently launched Model X crossover, with ranges of up to 300 miles (450 kilometres), but with price tags well into six figures, they were seen more as eco-bling than mainstream machine.
While General Motors has publicly stated often that they are committed to electrification as an alternative to the internal combustion engine, the rapid public rollout of the Bolt may not have purely been part of a greater strategic vision. Tesla has busily been developing a 200 mile, $30,000 model of their own, dubbed the Model III and it has been targeting a 2017/2018 launch as well. General Motors clearly wanted to be the first out of the gate into this new extended-range/affordably-priced EV segment and today’s launch seems to give them the edge.
See also: 2016 Chevrolet Volt Review
Much of the specifics regarding the Bolt remain unknown, as Barra did not reveal pricing, nor official range estimates. However she did say that production of the 2017 Bolt will begin in late 2016.
The choice to debut the Bolt at C.E.S. instead of in Detroit next week likely had more to do with the high level of connectivity and electronics that will feature prominently in production models.
2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV interior. Photo: General Motors Canada
The Bolt’s connectivity innovations will provide smart, personalized solutions for managing the driving experience. For example, in the future an accurate driving range projection will be based on the time of day, topography, weather and the owner’s driving habits.
Bluetooth low-energy – designed specifically for the Bolt to minimize energy draw will seamlessly connect a smart phone to the car while the owner approaches the vehicle. Many of the Bolt’s driver-focused technologies are supported by OnStar 4G LTE, which turns the Bolt into a Wi-Fi hotspot, giving owners easier access to apps and services via a high-speed wireless connection.
An especially intriguing element will play off the competitive nature of existing EV and PHEV drivers who are always trying to push driving ranges and lower overall fuel-efficiency. In the future Bolt owners will be able to “compete” by comparing driving styles to determine who is driving most efficiently, thus adding gamification to the overall driving experience.
While some continue to predict the demise of EVs given the current low price for oil and gasoline, which has created a resurgence in SUV, Crossover and generally larger vehicles – the launch of the Bolt EV as a full production model, proves that General Motors is staking a claim that EVs not only still have a place, but can provide drivers all they want and expect from automobiles in general.
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