You may think you know why the highly-anticipated Chevrolet Bolt is poised to transform the way we drive (hint: 238 miles), but there’s much more to the Bolt that makes it a real game-changer, Here are 3 specific areas in which this super-E.V. is going to surprise you.
One. Technology.
The Chevrolet Bolt features the biggest-ever MyLink screen – 10.2″ – with a vastly improved interface that in some screens resembles Windows 8. The car’s “Energy” app features EV-specific data sets for the driver: power flow, charge settings, historical energy usage information, and energy settings.
If you saw my Volt video, you’ll know how fascinated I was with its Regen-on-Demand paddle where the vehicle takes the kinetic energy from braking, converts it to electricity, and uses it to charge the battery. The Bolt’s got it too, but the car takes regenerative braking to a whole new level. In “drive”, but especially in “low” gear, the Bolt is rigged to slow and capture braking energy any time the gas peddle is not being pressed. So if you’re in “low” gear, depending on stopping distance needed, you can engage in one-pedal-driving. Press the gas when you want to go, let off the gas when you want to break.
Finally, the electronic shifter is pretty cool too – this feature’s first-ever appearance on a Chevrolet.
Two: Savings.
The reason you’re reading this article in the first place is likely because you heard about the Bolt’s 238 miles-per-charge range, and how GM beat Tesla to the punch on this EV milestone. Forget gas-free commuting. How about a gas-free weekend roadtrip?
And yes, that federal tax credit for E.V.s is till out there. Review the details with your CPA, but you could be looking at up to a $7,500 credit from your Bolt purchase.
There’s been some push-back from EV skeptics wondering about such a vehicle’s impact on their electric bill. Chevy put that to rest too with location-based charging mode that lets the Bolt only charge during non-peak electric rate hours while at your home.
Three: Safety.
Bolt’s got the available advanced safety features found on other Chevrolet models: teen driver mode, back-up camera, forward collision alert, Stabilitrak, and airbags to protect you from every angle.
But there are three particularly remarkable safety features found on the Bolt:
- “Surround Vision”, giving you a 365* view of the Bolt’s exterior.
- “Rear Camera Mirror”, which projects a rear camera view into the rear-view mirror, cutting heads, rear headrests and cargo out of obstructing your view… like X-ray vision.
- Michelin self-seal tires that can instantaneously seal a puncture in the tire up to 3/16″ in diameter.
Conclusion.
The Chevrolet Bolt is an odd mix of hatchback and crossover, so it may not blend into traffic. Whether that’s a good thing or bad thing to you, there’s no doubt that the best surprises in the vehicle are reserved for the owner.
