Chevy Bolt EV Sales Increase 1.3 Percent To 1,177 Units In January 2018

Chevrolet Bolt EV sales tallied 1,177 units in the United States and 187 units in Canada in January 2018.

Chevrolet Bolt EV Sales - January 2018 - United States

In the United States, Chevrolet Bolt EV deliveries totaled 1,177 units in January 2018, an increase of about 1 percent compared to 1,162 units sold in January 2017. The results represent the model's best-ever January monthly sales performance, but it should be noted that January 2017 was the Bolt's second month on sale in the U.S., and across limited markets, at that. We should also note that January 2018 sales are significantly lower than the 3,277 units delivered in December 2017 or the 2,987 units delivered in November 2017.

Chevrolet Bolt EV Sales - January 2018 - Canada

In Canada, Chevrolet Bolt EV deliveries totaled 187 units in January 2018, an increase of about 3,017 percent compared to 6 units sold in January 2017. The results represent the model's best-ever January monthly sales performance, but it should be noted that January 2017 was the Bolt's first month on sale in Canada. We should also note that January 2018 sales are higher than the 109 units delivered in December 2017, but much lower than the 350 units delivered in November 2017 or 371 units delivered in October 2017.

The GM Authority Take

January was somewhat of a peculiar month for the Bolt. Sure, the electric car posted a year-over-year sales gain, but that gain comes with a major asterisk.

Pitting January 2018 sales against those of January 2017 doesn’t exactly make for an apples-to-apples comparison, since January 2017 was the Bolt EV’s second month on sale in the U.S., at which time it was only available in two states (California and Oregon). January 2018 sales results, by comparison, represent nationwide sales of the vehicle. So when presented in that light, the Bolt’s 1.3 percent sales gain is meager and inconsequential.

Even so, the Bolt outsold Chevy’s other new energy vehicle – the Chevrolet Volt, which saw sales slip nearly 56 percent to 713 units in January (see Chevy Volt sales). In addition, the Bolt outsold all other pure electric rivals, including the Hyundai Ioniq, Volkswagen e-Golf, BMW i3, and Nissan Leaf. Notably, the Ioniq saw sales spike significantly during the month, nearly catching up to the Bolt. However, it’s vital to note that Hyundai Ioniq sales figures are not exclusive to the Ioniq Electric, but also include Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid variants of the model. The case is similar for the Honda Clarity, which is available as Plug-In Hybrid, Electric and Fuel Cell. Meanwhile, the Leaf’s depressed sales volume is the result of processes associated with the market introduction of the second generation model. As such, the figures seen here represent the sale of remaining first-generation Leafs from dealer inventory.

Sales Numbers - Mainstream Small Battery Electric Cars - January 2018 - USA

About Chevrolet Bolt EV

The Bolt EV is the first mass-produced, all-electric vehicle from GM’s Chevrolet brand. The small EV went on sale in December 2016 as a 2017 model in two launch states (California and Oregon) as production of the vehicle was being ramped up. In August 2017, the Bolt became available nationwide across the U.S., which is a full month ahead of schedule.

For its second, 2018 model year, the Bolt EV receives a handful of small changes that consist of replacing the heated steering wheel with the automatic heated steering wheel as a standalone option and on the Comfort & Convenience Package, and deleting the front passenger seatback map pocket as standard equipment on 2LT trim level.

Currently, the Bolt EV is built exclusively at the GM Orion Assembly factory in Michigan.

About The Numbers

• All percent change figures compared to Chevrolet Bolt January 2017 sales, except as noted
• In the United States, there were 25 selling days in January 2018 and 24 selling days in January 2017
• In Canada, there were 25 selling days in January 2018 and 24 selling days in January 2017
• Hyundai Ioniq sales include Ioniq Electric, Ioniq Hybrid and Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid
• Honda Clarity sales include Clarity Plug-In Hybrid, Clarity Electric and Clarity Fuel Cell

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