Chevy confirms the $30K, 200 mile range Bolt EV has entered testing
This article, Chevy confirms the $30K, 200 mile range Bolt EV has entered testing, originally appeared on CNET.com.
The Chevrolet Bolt EV concept in Detroit. Chevrolet
DETROIT -- Chevy turned some heads at the North American International Auto Show in January by unveiling the Bolt EV concept, a little electric hatchback with a promised 200 miles of all-electric range. Later, in Chicago, the company followed all that positive buzz by promising it would produce the thing. Now, as part of the company's "Powered by Innovation" program in Detroit, Chevy has indicated that the car is currently in testing.
Josh Tavel, the Bolt EV's chief engineer, said there are some 55 preproduction, camouflaged Bolts driving around right now, going through the sorts of testing preproduction cars receive -- tuning suspension and minimizing unwanted sounds, that sort of thing. The sound factor is doubly important in an EV, because without an internal combustion engine to generate white noise, the driver can hear everything else much more clearly.
Chevy shows affordable 200-mile electric car (pictures)
The Bolt concept shows Chevy's idea for an affordable electric car with practical range.
Building on development from its Volt and Spark EV cars, Chevy intends the Bolt to go 200 miles on a charge. Aerodynamic design and a suspension that lowers at higher speeds enhance potential range.
The Bolt is designed as a four-seat hatchback with a high roof for expansive interior space.
Lightweight construction includes aluminum and carbon fiber.
LED headlights provide strong illumination and excellent efficiency.
Wheels retain a spoked design but Chevy filled in the gaps to improve aerodynamics.
A flat floor enhances the sense of interior space and makes access easier.
Rear bucket seats limit passenger capacity, keeping the gross vehicle weight low to enhance range.
Large glass panels around the cabin make for better visibility and a sense of space.
The interior design uses concept styling, although BMW put something very similar on the road with its i3 electric car.
Chevy minimizes the dashboard's intrusion into the cabin space, so that the steering wheel appears to float in front of the driver.
An LCD behind the steering wheel shows the driver speed, range and other essential driving information, while a 10-inch capacitive touchscreen sits in the center of the dashboard.
Chevy keeps its driver selector on the console, the traditional place for a shifter.
This screen would likely show a futuristic version of Chevy MyLink. Chevy also says the car's associated app would not only let the driver check the charge status, but also serve as a remote control for self-parking the car.
Chevy is promising that the Bolt will offer a range of "over 200 miles," which would put it firmly in Tesla Model S territory in terms of flexibility. But, a price of "around" $30,000 US (after the $7,500 tax credit) makes it far, far more accessible. It will also support fast-DC charging, which in most cars will fill the batteries to 80 percent capacity in less than 30 minutes.
The final production Bolt EV is expected to be unveiled sometime next year, and hopefully will enter production not long after. When released, Chevy promises the Bolt will be available in all 50 of the United States, and in select markets internationally.
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