We’re not going to use this space to reiterate what The Truth About Cars has to say in regards to a slanted view of the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV versus the Tesla Model 3. We wholeheartedly agree with the views expressed at the link above, but we will instead use this space to highlight a new shift in the industry.
Not just a shift, but a passionate fanbase that really only been found in performance vehicle for as long as anyone can remember. That fanbase surrounds electric vehicles and their technologies.
The best example akin to Bolt EV vs Model 3 could be found in Android vs iOS. Both sides house passionate groups of people with different approaches to how technology can improve the lives of many. The same can be said for Tesla and General Motors fans.
There is nothing wrong with innovation and competition, in fact, as the old saying goes, it’s good for everyone. But, slanted views proclaiming ho-hum results from one side of another do no good. Especially when the proof is in the pudding, or in this case, the 2017 Bolt EV.
The Bolt EV drives well, its charge is game-changing and its affordability means more people than ever have a shot at owning the latest gadget. Because the Bolt EV is a gadget and should be viewed in the same kind of hype we have for the latest smartphone launch.
Views denouncing the Bolt EV simply don’t have much of a footing when the Model 3 has only become somewhat of a show car. Do we think the Model 3 will come to fruition? Yes. Is there a real-world solution and competitor launching this year? Also yes.
Besides, these cars share a common goal: lessen the dependency on fossil fuels and create cleaner environments for everyone. In that respect, EVs should be celebrated, not scrutinized.
Comments
What bothers me about this “conflict” is that Tesla Motor fans downgrade the Chevy Bolt EV as if the Model 3 is superior. But how can they say that if the Model 3 is still a concept prototype? This is like saying that the Apple iPhone 8 is superior to the Samsung Galaxy S7. Both notions are “vaporware” when the naysayers are using a non-existing product to badmouth the competition product which is selling and has high merits.
Although the publishers have the obligation to allow free speech, they should never support such “speech” that has a false origin and can never be proven. GM Authority and any other auto web sites should condone such activity, and tell these naysayers to hold back and wait until the real comparisons can be done. In the case of the Bolt EV versus the Model 3, they must wait until 2017 when TM will fulfill the first orders and release the first production models. Then the real Model 3 can be compared with the Bolt EV (by then in its second production year).
It depends on what your talking about. For example, I think tesla > Bolt for one simple reason: Chevy. I know this is a GM forum and we all love chevy. I am a huge vette fan and drive a cadillac, but honestly, I don’t even care if the tesla is 1/2 as good as the bolt, am I going to show up and pick a client up in a chevy? Am I going to go to a meeting in a Chevy?
Tesla DID build a BRAND, a powerful one, and I don’t think the tesla needs to be as GOOD as the Chevy to “beat” it. I know that sounds awful, but its the same reason I can’t come to buy a Chevy SS. You want HOW MUCH for a Chevy?
Downvote away, I know, but I think the Model 3 is superior to the Chevy despite it not existing yet, because Tesla has done such a good job building demand and desire for it. I don’t think EVs are really yet a “practical” purchase, its more of a passionate purchase, and Tesla still inspires more passion despite the technical advancements of the Chevy
Showing up in a pair of Nike running shoes with Tesla Model 3 printed on the sides might not impress people as much as you think.
Or just walk around a corner, and tell them your Tesla Model 3 is parked around back. “It’s charging, let’s take your car, OK?”
The Tesla Model 3 groupies are mostly non-EV owners from what I can tell. They want a $35,000 Tesla Model 3 that seats 5 adults, goes 215+ miles on EPA range, will drive itself with only modest driver interaction, has free 20 minute recharging all over the USA, Canada, and Europe, and looks like a Tesla Model S.
Heck, I’m an early deposit holder for one. However, let’s step back and look. The cheapest Tesla is $67,200. This does not have the self-driving feature, it does not have a 215+ EPA range, and it won’t charge in 20 minutes.
Nor does Tesla cover all the USA with fast charging stations as people who use the 10 freeway in the Southwest can attest to. There is limited flyover state coverage, and even has gaps in the Great Lakes area.
Whether Tesla can make money selling $67,200 cars is not proven yet either. So far, the answer has been no.
So the biggest question about the Model 3 Tesla today is whether they will be able to cut the price in 1/2 and make money at it. People think there is some kind of magic in mass production that will cut the price in 1/2. There is not. There are some economies of scale, but not $10k worth on a mid-priced car, much less $30k.
So comparing the Bolt to the Model 3 simply cannot be done at this stage. At least today, a $35k EV with the Model 3 specs is out of reach of current mfr’g costs.
There ARE cars today to compare to the Bolt, but the Model 3 is not one of them.
1) The Tesla Model S 60
2) The BMW i3 (big battery model)
3) The Nissan Leaf (big battery model)
When compared to car that actually have known metrics, the Bolt is a quantum leap in EV driveline tech. Similar range than the Tesla 60kWh at just over 1/2 price, and near double the range than the i3 and Leaf, even though priced in the same area.
Saying the Model 3 is going to be a huge leap over the Bolt is premature. I certainly WANT that to be true, but I’m a realist not a groupie. I expect the price to be more than the Bolt, but less than the Model S.
First thing that would help is for web sites to even compare the 3 and Bolt. Yes they both are EV cars but they will be much different cars targeting much different people and we will see a much different price structure in the end.
The Bolt is the true attempt to make a car that more people can afford and one that has good range and utility to cover most needs. The Tesla is more targeted at the cheaper Tesla not a cheaper EV.
The Bolt is going to cost $35k-40K loaded and we will see the 3 start around $40K and go to just under $60K when it hits the market. You can add a lot of car for $20 k more so it is not a fair comparison.
I so have some concern over the Leaf and I have seen a few things that show the Leaf may make a great leap from what it is now. Just how far we have yet to see but I am guessing Nissan may have figured some things out here.
Tesla is the Starbucks of cars and has a cult following. Many buy it as much as a fashion statement as they do a car for just transportation. It is the BMW of EV cars. Some of their followers are realistic and come are just so far into the koolaid they can not even tell you the flavor anymore.
The real factor is GM can make EV models in steps to get to a point of a established market and volumes where they will be making money and controlling cost with volumes for the suppliers to make money.
Tesla at this point is living from model to model. The S paid for the X but now the X is not to the level they had hoped and was late. This has left the 3 short of money and again late and a need to presell a car that was not even done to raise the missing X money. As you can see it can compound. It may not be the end but it is a difficult way to build a car and do it on time and right. If the 3 is late and it takes them too long to build the presale cars they run the risk of lost sales to others and or just not bringing the needed money for the rest of the Musk plan.
While this goes on GM is paying all the bills with SUV and CUV ICE models and making the moved they need to get the market anchored to grow.
I like some of the new Chevy’s, they’ve come a very long way in the last few years. But, just like Tesla, I won’t be comfortable buying one until they have a proven track record.
For most people though, I think it’ll come down to this: do you want a fwd bolt or a rwd/awd model 3?
The Bolt EV is a real car that is being produced as we write. The Model 3 is a “concept car” that is at least 12, and more likely 24 months away from mass production. Sort of like Microsoft’s “vaporware.” When the Model 3 exists then one might be able to make comparisons. The other difference is that Tesla needs the Model 3 to be a huge hit and profitable whereas GM/Chevy have no high volume expectations (and perhaps, in fact don’t want high volume) as it provides them with very high average mileage figures on a chunk of cars which allows them to sell their guzzlers in higher volumes and still meet government standards.
I almost bought another GM EV, then I read about GM blocking Tesla from selling in many states, including my own. Tesla is only allowed one store in VA, and they can only keep that for so long. I’ll be picking up my Model X there in a few weeks. Model 3 there next year. I’m selling my Spark EV, I can’t support a bully.
To Steven:
You have made the classic Tesla Groupie post. You have political or religious differences with the Bolt EV. Not the car, your philosophy about the auto industry is why a Bolt is a bad car.
It would be like me saying the Tesla is a bad car because Elon Musk is manipulating the stock prices by having fire sales every quarter to inflate production numbers. That does NOT alter the form, fit, or function of a Tesla. The car stands alone as the pinnacle of EV performance.
So why do I have 2 Chevrolet Volts instead of 2 Model S Teslas?
In 2013 when we were shopping, waits for cars were long, the Supercharger network was very sparse, so range anxiety was a very real thing. Published trouble with motor bearings, and some battery replacements were reported. Long service waits. Very expensive collision damage. Too big for it’s interior size. It seemed risky. We purchased a Volt instead. It’s been fun and trouble-free, and now my daughter ran away to college in it.
When it was time for another EV in late 2015, there were still long waits for Teslas, and the same problems existed. So we tried the “improved” 2016, and it was great. Not that the earlier models weren’t fun, it’s just that everything we enjoyed about driving Volts were amplified in the new Volt.
Now that my son has stolen our 2016, it’s time for another EV. The Model 3 is not out. The Model S has no wait times, but we still don’t like the size. We sold our CTS-V (nicknamed Spooky) for that reason. Too big for urban life. The Spark EV is simply too short on range, and too small. The ELR should have had larger rear seating, and let’s get honest, the pricing was comedy.
So now, will it be a Tesla S P90/100DL? A Bolt? or a Cadillac CT6 EREV? Probably the Bolt. Both the Caddy and the Model S still suffer from being big cars in world that gets smaller each year. Besides, if we want “thrills”, we still have “fast” stuff. The P90DL won’t be the quickest or fastest thing we own.
I admire Tesla Motors (no I don’t think Elon Musk is the only employee), and believe they make a great product. Just not anything yet that would fit our needs or wants.
And the Model X? Ughhh… That’s uh… interesting? Too small to be an SUV, too big to be a car, sort of bizarre looking, and Gull Wing Doors are best left on your Sunday Car Show Car, not your daily. If I had one piece of advice for Tesla, that would be to reboot, launch CAD, and hit NEW PROJECT. How that got into production is a mystery. Thank God for religion, or those would be sitting like ELR’s in a distant corner, unloved.