Bolt From The Blue
Chevy Electric Car Arriving With Little Advance Fanfare
By Dave Felice
The market for longer range, economically priced, all-electric vehicles is about to get more competitive with the new Bolt-EV compact from Chevrolet, produced in the United States.
“Bolt offers a range and price combination that hasn’t previously been found in the segment,” says Javier Guzman Barcenas of General Motors in comments for Greater Park Hill News. “With the cargo space, technology and safety features, it makes a great package.”
The Bolt has one of the longest driving ranges in the industry, at almost 240 miles per charge. In theory, it’s possible to extend the range using the car’s regenerative capabilities. With federal and state tax credits, the cost of the car could be reduced from suggested retail of $37,495 to under $30,000.
Little coordinated publicity
Chevrolet’s new electric vehicle is built by members of United Auto Workers Local 5960 at the sprawling GM Orion Assembly, about 30 miles northwest of Detroit. The Bolt comes off the same assembly line as the hatchback and sedan models of Chevrolet Sonic and the Buick Verano sedan.
The facility has a reputation for high-quality products, and the plant motto is “Build It Like We Own It.” Workers could be producing four different cars at any given time.
Guzman Barcenas says that GM is considering production of a European model at Orion Assembly. That car, the Ampera-e, would be exported from the U.S. plant, giving further strength to domestic production.
Bolt-EV comes to the market later than other all-electric vehicles, notably the much higher-priced Tesla. Nissan Leaf is the most direct competition, but Bolt’s range is about double that of the Leaf. Chevrolet has been selling its all-electric version of the Korean-built Spark model in California and Oregon for several years. Leaf is produced in Smyrna, Tennessee at a non-union plant built with help of a $1.4 billion federal loan.
If past experience is any guide, Chevrolet is not likely to heavily advertise or promote the Bolt cars. Having an electric vehicle in the line-up helps the company meet federally mandated fleet mileage requirements. But the profit margin is much higher in larger Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and trucks.
About 40 percent of new vehicles in the U.S. are in the SUV and truck categories. Figures from the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association show consistently higher sales of the larger vehicles. Even luxury brands such as Jaguar and Alfa-Romero now have SUVs designed to meet market demand.
There has been little coordinated publicity about Bolt coming to Denver, and very little nationwide outside of automotive publications. Sales Representative Mike Lang of Len Lyall Chevrolet in Aurora says Colorado is a “second tier” distribution state, meaning that coastal states get the initial shipments and the cars aren’t expected in Colorado until the middle of 2017.
“The range offered by the Chevy Bolt-EV makes this a great, economical option for anyone in the market for a roomy small crossover,” says Guzman Barcenas, Communications Manager for Orion Assembly. “Chevrolet also offers many flavors of electrification including vehicles like the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid and the Chevrolet Volt.”
‘Solid and substantial’
The Tesla Model D has a range of over 200 miles, but is priced almost twice as high as Bolt. Tesla is bringing a Model S to market later in 2017, at about $35,000.
Automotive Analyst Tom Mutchler of Consumer Reports says Bolt could stake a claim to the market segment ahead of Tesla. CR is not usually complimentary about American car brands.
“Bolt feels a lot like a small SUV, solid and substantial,” says Mutchler in an online video review. “It is much more enjoyable to drive than Leaf. But it looks as if GM just gave up on the styling.”
With a wheelbase of just over 102 inches, the Bolt hatchback is about the same size as the Buick Encore and Chevrolet Trax models. Both of these cars are marketed as “crossover” vehicles, something like a mix of car and small SUV.
The Bolt EV can be charged in three ways:
• Level 1, charging with a portable 110V cord that comes with the car yields about four miles of range for every hour of charge;
• Level 2, at 240V, Bolt EV captures up to 25 miles of range for every hour of charge; and,
• Level 3, with optional 480V compatibility, also known as rapid charge, Bolt-EV can capture 90 miles of range in 30 minutes of charge.
Produced in Michigan
The EPA estimates the car would go 238 miles on a full battery charge. Owners can use a “ChargePoint” app to find the nearest charging station.
Bolt has a spacious and well-appointed interior, with a standard 10-inch screen to display many different functions and integrate personal electronic devices.
The car has already won several industry awards for innovation and technology.
Producing the Bolt in Michigan is considered extremely important for the domestic auto industry. GM has invested $200 million in the already state-of-the-art Orion Assembly.
Republican Gov. Rick Snyder says production helps Michigan remain a global automotive leader. “Chevrolet is tapping a workforce of some of the most talented and hard-working people in the world for this cutting-edge vehicle,” says Snyder.
Orion is recognized for its progressive and environmentally-friendly production. For example, the plant runs off gas from two nearby landfills, and is home to a 350-kilowatt solar array.
The solar capability produces the energy equivalent to power 165 homes and sends enough energy back to the grid to power about 45 homes.
Dave Felice is a member of National Writers Union, Local 1981, and recipient of awards in 2015 and 2016 from the Society of Professional Journalists for news column writing. He can be contacted at gelato321@aol.com.
No Gas, No Oil
Notes From An Electric Car Aficionado
“I love the Nissan Leaf electric car, which I bought used,” says Michele Swenson of Park Hill. “There’s no gas, no oil. I only need to check and change the cabin air filter annually, and check tire pressure.
“The electric car is great for city driving, very smooth and easy acceleration. I don’t note great difference from driving a gas engine car except it is much quieter, and no smell of gas fumes. I have heard that it does not do as well, mileage-wise, with a lot of highway driving.
“There is a move to install some kind of sound on the car, so it can be heard, for example, at intersections where people are crossing. I am very cautious and drive very slowly approaching blind spots, such as exiting the alley to the street, where people may be approaching on the sidewalk.
“It is recommended to drive with the battery at 20 to 80 percent charge, to extend the life of the Lithium ion battery. I have a 240-volt charger in the garage, and charge the car for about an hour-and-a-half when battery is at about half-charge. I have been told that most Walgreens have charging stations available, with credit card payment, but other than … one time, I have not used or investigated other charging locations.”
Swenson says the Nissan Leaf is great for the distances she drives around the city, even to Highlands Ranch and back in a day. She is looking into adding a few more solar panels to the six that she already has, so that the sun will cover recharging the car.
— By Dave Felice