The 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV, which represents the fifth model year of the first-generation Bolt EV, was initially expected to receive a mid-cycle enhancement (MCE), consisting of updates to the exterior and interior. However, obstacles created by the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the updated model to the 2022 model year. Instead, the 2022 Bolt EV will enter production in the summer of 2021, at which point it will be joined by a slightly larger brother, the upcoming Bolt EUV. Most recently, The Bow Tie brand shared a teaser of the upcoming Bolt EV refresh and Bolt EUV.
Meanwhile, the Chevy Bolt EV sees very few changes for the 2021 model year.
| Model years: | 2017 – Present |
| Assembly Location: | GM Lake Orion Plant, Michigan, USA |
| Layout: | Skateboard |
| Battery: | Lithium-ion – 65 kWh |
| Horsepower: | 200 / 150 kW |
| Torque: | 266 lb-ft / 360 Nm |
| Drive: | Voltec |
| Driven Wheels: | Front-Wheel |
| Availability: | TBD |
| Predecessor: | – |
| Successor: | – |
Changes, Updates, New Features
Interior
- Deletion of KeyPass, retail smartphone entry, start operation
- Deletion of Light Ash Gray with Ceramic White interior
- DC fast charging is now standard on Premier models
Packages
- Comfort and Convenience Package now requires DC fast charging
See detailed 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV changes, updates and new features here: 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV change log.
The updates and changes described here are specific to the U.S. market and may be different for other markets.
Body Styles
The 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV is offered as a subcompact five-door hatchback that Chevrolet initially characterized as a crossover while the EPA classifies as a small wagon.
Platform
Like all first-generation units of the Chevrolet Bolt EV, the 2021 Bolt continues riding on a variant of the GM Gamma 2 platform called the GM BEV2 platform.
Powertrain & Range
The 2021 Bolt EV is powered by a 66 kWh lithium ion battery pack mated to an electric drive motor. The system gained 6 kWh for the 2020 model year, delivering 21 more miles of driving range for a total of 259 miles.
Range
On a full charge, the 2021 Bolt EV is expected to deliver an EPA-estimated electric driving range of 259 miles.
Charging Times
The time to charge the 2021 Bolt EV can vary based on the type of charger and current:
- 120 Volt charger: 4 miles / 6 km of range per hour (using standard cord)
- 240 Volt charger: full charge in 10 hours
- DC Fast Charge: up to 90 miles in 30 minutes
Production
The 2021 Chevy Bolt is assembled by GM USA at the GM Lake Orion plant in Michigan, USA. The battery and motor drive unit are made in Incheon, South Korea.
Availability
The 2021 Bolt launched in the third quarter of the 2020 calendar year.
Beyond 2021
The 2021 model year represents the fifth model year of the first-generation Chevy Bolt EV.
An all-new next Chevy Bolt EV is expected around the 2025 model year. The 2022 MCE will fall squarely in the middle of the 2017 MY introduction and the expected 2025 overhaul.
| Model: | Chevrolet Bolt EV |
| Platform: | GM BEV2 platform (a derivative of G2SC platform) |
| Body style / driveline: | front-wheel-drive, five-passenger, five-door all-electric CUV |
| Construction: | Steel and Aluminum |
| EPA vehicle class: | Small Wagon (EPA does not have a cross-over category) |
| Key competitors: | Nissan Leaf, Kia Nero EV, Hyundai Kona EV, Kia Soul EV, BMW i3, Ford Focus Electric, VW eGolf, Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric |
| Manufacturing location: | GM Lake Orion Assembly in Orion Township, Michigan, USA |
| Battery manufacturing location: | Incheon, South Korea |
| Motor and drive unit manufacturing location: | Incheon, South Korea |
| Type: | rechargeable energy storage system comprising multiple linked modules |
| Volume/case: | 285L |
| Mass (lb / kg): | 947 / 430 |
| Battery chemistry: | lithium-ion |
| Thermal system: | liquid active thermal control |
| Cells: | 288 |
| Energy: | 66 kWh |
| Warranty: | 8 years / 100,000 miles |
| Electric driving range: | EPA-estimated 259 miles |
| Warranty: | 8 years / 100,000 miles of battery and electric components coverage |
| Type: | Single motor and gearset |
| Motor: | permanent magnetic drive motor |
| Power: | 200 hp/150 kW |
| Torque: (lb-ft / Nm): | 266 lb.ft./360 Nm |
| Final drive ratio (:1): | 7.05:1 |
| 120 V: | 4 miles / 6 km of range per hour (using standard cord) |
| 240 V: | full charge in 10 hours |
| SAE Combo DC Fast Charge: | up to 90 miles in 30 minutes |
| Top speed (mph / kph): | 91 / 145 |
| 0-60 mph: | 6.5 seconds |
| Front: | Independent MacPherson strut-type front suspension with side load compensating and finely tuned springs, direct-acting solid stabilizer bar system and ride & handling oriented LCA bushings. |
| Rear: | Compound crank (torsion beam) type rear suspension with the closed section V-shaped profile axle; specifically tuned coil springs, performance balanced shock absorber, Â angled A-bushing supporting understeer tendency on cornering maneuver and kinematically optimized torsion beam providing stable and best ride & handling performance. |
| Chassis control: | Four-channel ABS; Traction control system; StabiliTrak; Drag control |
| Steering type: | column-mounted electric power steering |
| Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock: | 2.91 revolutions |
| Steering ratio: | 16.8 :1 |
| Type: | power four-wheel disc with ABS; electro-hydraulic; partially regenerative; dynamic rear brake proportioning |
| Brake rotor diameter front (mm / in): | 276 / 11 |
| Brake rotor diameter rear (mm / in): | 264 / 10 |
| Total swept area (front) (cu cm): | 1398.9 |
| Total swept area (rear) (cu cm): | 1131.4 |
| Wheel material: | cast aluminum |
| Tires: | Michelin Energy Saver A/S 215/50R17 all-season |
| Wheelbase (in / mm): | 102.4 / 2600 |
| Overall length (in / mm): | 164.0 / 4166 |
| Overall width (in / mm): | 69.5 / 1765 |
| Track width front (in / mm): | 59 / 1501 |
| Track width rear (in / mm): | 59.1 / 1501 |
| Height (in / mm): | 62.8 / 1594 |
| Front overhang (in / mm): | 32.9 / 836 |
| Rear overhang (in / mm): | 28.7 / 730 |
| Seating capacity (front / rear): | 2 / 3 |
| Headroom (first row) (in. / mm): | 39.7 / 1009 |
| Headroom (second row) (in. / mm): | 37.9 / 962 |
| Shoulder room (first row) (in / mm): | 54.6 / 1387 |
| Shoulder room (second row) (in / mm): | 52.8 / 1340 |
| Hip room (first row) (in / mm): | 51.6 / 1310 |
| Hip room (second row) (in / mm): | 50.8 / 290 |
| Legroom (first row) (in / mm): | 41.6 / 1056 |
| Legroom (second row) (in / mm): | 36.5 / 927 |
| Curb weight (lb / kg); | 3580 / 1624 |
| EPA passenger volume (cu ft / L): | 94.4 / 2673 |
| Passenger volume (first row) (cu ft / L): | 52.2 / 1478 |
| Passenger volume (second row) (cu ft / L): | 42.2 / 1195 |
| Max cargo volume (cu ft / L): | 56.6 / 1603 |
| Cargo volume behind rear seat: | 16.9 / 478 |
| Heating cooling (qt / L): | Heating loop 1.8L |
| Battery pack cooling (qt / L): | 6.9L (RESS cooling loop total coolant volume) |
| Power electronics cooling (qt / L): | 3.9L (PE & DU cooling loop total coolant volume) |
| Drive unit fluid (qt / L): | 2.9L |
Discussion
Discuss the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt in our Chevrolet forum.
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