After spending a week with the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EVÂ Premier, testing out its real-world cold-weather range and showing you how to drive it with only one pedal, we’re realizing how competitive the Bolt still is, even after being in the market for a few years now.
Although it’s been mildly updated by way of a 66-kWh battery (up from 60 kWh), the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV is still essentially a car that was launched for the 2017 model year. It now faces newfound rivals like the Nissan LEAF Plus, Hyundai Kona Electric, Kia Soul EV, Kia Niro EV and Tesla Model 3 Standard Range. The Bolt was released before all of these vehicles, yet it’s still in the game.
Let’s compare the specifications of the Bolt EV’s battery pack and electric motor versus its immediate competition.
| Model | Chevrolet Bolt EV | Hyundai Kona Electric | Kia Niro EV (long range) | Kia Soul EV (long range) | Tesla Model 3 SR | Nissan LEAF Plus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery (kWh) | 66 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 53 | 62 |
| Power (hp) | 200 | 201 | 201 | 201 | 258 | 214 |
| Power (kW) | 149 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 192 | 160 |
| Torque (lb-ft) | 266 | 291 | 291 | 291 | 317 | 250 |
However, things become more interesting when we compare the Bolt’s EPA-rated range with its rivals’. As a matter of fact, the Bolt EV currently offers the highest range in its respective segment. Take a look:
| Model | Chevrolet Bolt EV | Hyundai Kona Electric | Kia Niro EV (long range) | Kia Soul EV (long range) | Tesla Model 3 SR | Nissan LEAF Plus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPA-estimated range (miles) | 259 | 258 | 239 | 243 | 249 | 220 |
Furthermore, the Bolt EVÂ will receive a mid-cycle refresh for the 2021 model year, offering entirely redesigned front and rear fascias, a completely different and more upscale interior as well as a re-imagined infotainment system. Expect this new Bolt EV to hit the market towards the end of 2020.
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Comments
Let’s not forget Availability. Only Tesla and GM actually have EV’s on the road that can be seen. I see a Bolt more often than a Porsche or jaguar of any make while on the road, and model 3 numbers are equivalent to the Audi A6. It’s certainly a positive thing when Dealerships have a handful in stock across major metro areas in the US, even though some may not be willing to sell. Things will only get better once the 2021 Bolt is available. I saw my first ever iPace last week, and my first eTron a few months back. I am yet to see the Kona or Niro EV.
What’s more noticeable is the Tesla with a significantly smaller battery has a range in the same ballpark of the others indicating a far superior efficiency that no one can actually match. The Model Y promises a 40% greater efficiency than the competition.
Tesla reached that point by using lighter battery materials. and getting a better power density. But that battery pack does cost more than the Bolt EV pack, and a new Bolt EV still costs several thousands of dollars more than a Model 3. So you have to pay more to get more. So if GM spent more money , they can make a battery with “a far superior efficiency that no one can actually match”, not even Tesla, but the Bolt will cost more than the average EV.
Remember that the Chevy Bolt EV was officially presented to the public in January 2015, making its design the oldest and longest lasting of all present EV models.
My loaded 2020 Bolt LT was $27400 out the door 6 weeks ago. Not counting tax rebate!
And how much more does the model Y sell for than a Bolt. Its not really an Apple to Apples comparison.
It’s not a question of price but efficiency. Tesla does not make a vehicle to compare with the Bolt. The new Y competes directly with the Mustang Mach E, Jaguar, Audi electric… With similar specs, the Y is 40% more efficient.
In fact, there isn’t an electric car currently which even compares to a 2012 Tesla when it comes to efficiency. Not even Porsche.
No,it IS a question of of price. I paid $27400 out the door for a loaded 2020 Bolt LT 6 weeks ago.
Miguel, it IS a question of price! Read my previous post. If GM wanted to compete against every other brand, they would spend more money to make the Bolt EV superior, but who can buy that? I cannot buy a Model 3 at all because it is TOO EXPENSIVE and there are no Tesla service shops ANYWHERE near my home.
Tesla fanboys are funny.
Their defenses are priceless.
GM has probably the best engineering out there. But it seems doesn’t understand how the perception of quality inside matters to consumers. And the Bolt is ugly. It’s not hard to see why even koreans are grabbing the lunch
For some reason, the white plastic dashboard of the Bolt doesn’t exude quality design for a $40,000 thereabouts vehicle. It’s not really GM engineering at its best. It’s just a LG Chem/GM compliance collaboration. It is good in most areas, outstanding at none.
I paid $27400 out the door for a loaded 2020 Bolt LT 6 weeks ago.
What state John? Taxes included?
No Chevy Bolt EV cost more than $33,000 unless you want one with gold plated wheels. You are exaggerating.
This article heavily focuses on range, but omits charging time.
Thanks to 150kw+ charging, Tesla Long Range variants basically have unlimited range. You can go from 10% to 80% in very short time, about equal to a rest/snack break.
Electrify America L3 charging stations can go up to 250kw, and yet GM is stuck… well below 100kw.
I can’t even consider a Bolt anymore because I have a 12.5 hour drive I have to do regularly for work. A Long Range Model 3 or Cybertruck can do it with just 2.5 hours of charge time – equal to the amount of pit stop time I’d take anyway to rest during such a drive.
With that sort of distance outside of a Porsche Taycan you going to add unnecessary time to your trip over an ICE vehicle.
We own a 2018 Bolt EV. It’s our primary car. It has so much range that we rarely need to use DC fast charging. Of note we drove it 2500 miles round trip from Ontario, Canada to Florida. We had no major issues. The Bolt EV can DC fast charge from 10% to 70% in ~40 minutes. Certainly not fast. But it’s not that big of an inconvenience either. Sure many other faster charging EV’s might make that trip a couple of hours faster than we did it. But in the grand scheme of things it really isn’t that big of a deal unless your driving more than 200 miles a day on a regular basis which very few people do.
If you’re doing a long road trip, you can time it with hotel stops, and that’s fine. But anything over 500 miles, and the downtime adds up. It would add two extra hours of travel time on my route (Bolt <85kw vs Tesla 150+kw).
VW also is putting huge emphasis on rapid charging at 150kw and above.
And before anyone notes that BEV3 also does that, which is true, Bolt and Bolt EUV need to step up their game in the interim.
Now as to adding "unnecessary time" as the other comment mentions, that isn't really the case. With ultrafast charging, it would only add an hour versus regular ICE driving pit stops. The only GM cars I'd consider for my work today are the CT4 and CT5 with Super Cruise. You can get a used Long Range Tesla with Autopilot for a lot less though. Dollar for dollar I'd rather have a Cybertruck than a CT4/CT5.
What?
No mention of charging limits?
I have a 2020 Bolt and am quite pleased with it. I’ve been getting by with the Level 1 charger that was included, but noticed yesterday that consumers can get a tax credit up to $1000 for installing a better charger in their home. That’s my next move.
That’s a great plan. I have a level 2 charger and it charges up in a matter of a couple of hours instead of all night. Set the charger to start at midnight when rates go down to their lowest. It’s a lot cheaper.
Again,mine was $27400 out the door!Not counting tax rebate!