The Chevrolet Bolt is currently a tough sell in Canada. With the $14,000 rebate no longer available, the $51,000 price tag for a Bolt Premier is difficult to swallow. It’s even harder to justify if the EV has to face slick, snowy conditions. A review by MotorPress.ca, highlights what’s good and bad about the Bolt; however, the colder temperatures and slippery driving conditions amplify the car’s deficiencies.
While the Chevrolet Bolt is fun to drive, akin to a hot-hatch, according to the reviewer, the car’s abysmal weight distribution makes driving it in slick conditions a chore. The heavy rear end and an ample amount of torque steer—like that of a Ford Focus ST—make wintertime handling downright terrible. Not even Michelin X-Ice winter tires could help compensate for the hatch’s weaknesses. However, while handling is less than stellar, the suspension is soft, and the ride is comfortable.
The cold weather also affected the Bolt’s range. In Canada, the Chevrolet Bolt is rated to offer 383 kilometers (210 miles) from a single charge. However, the reviewer saw no more than 200 kilometers (124 miles) during testing in frigid temperatures. With a 60 kilowatt-hour battery on board, the car was returning 30 kWh per 100 kilometers (62 miles).
Not every experience is equal, however, as we have seen other tests return over 200 miles in sub-zero weather.
The video also demonstrated issues when charging, too. A regular 110-volt outlet was adding just 6.4 kilometers of range per hour, which would take about four days to charge from empty to full. A Level 2 charger took the Bolt from empty to full in 9.3 hours. DC fast charging is supposed to add 140 kilometers of range in 30 minutes. To that end, it took an hour-and-a-half to add about 140 kilometers in one instance, while another case took nearly three hours to add 160 kilometers of range from a charge.
Electric vehicles have come a long way in the last decade. However, there are still issues, especially in colder temperatures, that have to be worked out before an automaker could convince consumers EVs are equal or superior to petrol-powered people movers. Cold temperatures negatively affect electric vehicles, and that could give some pause before buying an EV.
Comments
I have a 2019 Chevy Bolt that is my daily driver in Central Vermont, and while I see significant range reduction in really cold weather, it’s nowhere near what you’re reporting here.
In my first long trip to Boston and back, my return trip was through a snowstorm in 20-25 degree outside temps. I found that the windshield defroster ate miles off my projected range at an alarming rate, so I quickly learned to reduce my defroster usage rather than my old habit of blindly turning it on and leaving it on.
Related, I found that I became much more aware of how much energy it takes to keep is comfortable: In some cases where I make several shorter trips during a day, the climate control system could use as much as 40-45% of the energy consumed by the car, which would reduce my range sharply. This was during the coldest days here, l -10 -20 Farenheit.
On those days my range estimator would start out as low as 137 miles, based from what I can tell on the kw/mile of my last few charges.
My takeaway is that if you’re just a little mindful of your windshield defroster usage, your range doesn’t suffer much over long trips, even in the coldest weather. But with no waste engine heat to convert to cabin heat, it takes a LOT of energy to heat the cabin from below zero to the set temp (usually 70).
So, if you need to drive from place to place to place on really cold days and without charging, the Bolt may not be the best fit. But if you destination charge, or drive longer distances per trip then the energy usage in the winter is notable but not extreme.
I own a Chevy Bolt and a Toyota Mirai. A fuel cell electric vehicle has far less range impact due to cold (yes it gets quite cold in California’s mountains).
I own a 2017 Bolt and my numbers are no where close to your article numbers and we get Canadian air constantly here in New Hampshire. I went through this snowy winter with the tires that came with the car but should have probably purchased some winter tires. Maybe next year. The car can be a little of an issue in icey/heavy snow conditions, but so can most any cay without snows. The article makes it sound as if it’s a nightmare in winter, it isn’t.
I do find that the use of the fan for heating/cooling tends to eat range, so it should be used sparingly. Range is a non issue unless you are driving long distances in winter. By long range I mean 300-500 miles on a daily basis. If you’re a salesman and on the road daily with long distances, you might want to try a hybrid.
I have the Bolt and live near Toronto. I put the Michelin X ice tires on and have had no problems. Love the car. I keep finding new features like the auto dimmer and the rear window washer, washes off the rear camera.
Can’t say enough good things about this car and the charging system. The savings are amazing, no oil changes and will seldom have to change brake pads. And it’s earth friendly !
No Regrets!
I don’t own a Chevy Bolt. I’ve been driving a Nissan Leaf for a very long time. What I take away from this article and previous comments is this: The Chevy Bolt will easily get people where they want to go on a daily basis, regardless of conditions. Now, will GM be smart enough to use that understanding should they ever actually advertise the Bolt is doubtful.