Here's a report written by the owner, about owning 2 Bolt EV's and eliminating gasoline use: This family has two Chevy Bolt EV electric cars, uses no gas at all They use only Level 1 (120V) charging at home, and one is an LT and the other is a Premier model. Very interesting reading.
Another review of the Bolt EV: http://insideevs.com/chevrolet-bolt-described-electric-arounder-slash-gear/
GM warranties the original battery for 8 years and 100,000 miles and degradation to no less than 60% original capacity . After that, it will cost you around $12,000 (maybe less in 8 years+ time?) for a new pack. http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/oe-gm/24285978 /under $200/kwh from an OEM,... THAT is big news.
Hi Neil: That is a high replacement cost although the $/kWh is indeed big news! And 60 percent degradation? I wonder if they are expecting owners to experience degradation of 70 (< 170 miles) or so percent over that period or miles? Wayne
Our 2014 Chevy Volt had over 40,000 miles when we traded it in for our current 2016 Volt which we bought in July 2016. The 2014 was purchased in Oct. 2013 and I noticed no degradation at all with the 2014 battery. Range, amount of KWH used did not seem to vary from new. Now we also have a 2010 Prius purchased new in May 2009 with 156,000 miles. No degradation of battery loss or electric range, still appears to be like new. I don't know much about the Bolt but I believe the Volt battery is only used 80% of its full potential. Also charging rate with 240 is only 3.6-3.8 KW's per hour. I 'm sure other know much more about this than me....
Hi Alster: A friend just replaced a few cells in his 250k mile Gen 3 Prius after a CEL. The pack - Module(s) - degradation ranged from 18 to 35 percent. All electrics have pack degradation. It is if they can make the distance before throwing a CEL or breaching the capacity floor for replacement. Wayne
Wayne, 250,000 miles is a lot of miles for a Gen 3. I thought I had a lot with 156,000 miles. Looking at a few options out there to replace our Prius. The Ioniq blue, looks a lot better than the Prius, however that drive belt between the gas engine and electric motor seems like a weak point, and the every 75,000 mile belt change could cost enough to make a difference between that and a new Prius. I believe the Kia Niro has the same drive system as well. The Prius has no belts but I still can't get over the looks. I have no idea what the Toyota design engineers were thinking with the design. I know I am not the only person, even other Prius owners, who think the new Prius is, for lack of better words, ugly. Now the Prius Prime looks better but there is quite of bit of less space because of the battery and only seating for 4, and weighs almost as much as our 2016 Volt. Getting back to the Ioniq you would have to believe that Hyundai would have used a different system than a rubber drive belt than has required replacement every 75,000 miles. In todays world spark plugs last 100,000 miles and exhaust systems now nearly or exceed the life of the car. The rubber toothed engine timing belts seem to have all gone the direction of chain drive to eliminate a broken rubber engine belt that usually leads to engine damage as well when it breaks, not to mention costly replacement every 60,000-100,000 miles as well. Another car on my short list is the 2017 Chevy Cruze diesel 1.6 turbo engine with a 6 speed manual transmission. Sometimes I miss not driving my 2003 Jetta Wagon TDI with its 5 speed manual. Its still in the family having sold it to brother when we bought our 2014 Volt in Oct. 2013. Looks like the Cruze diesel is getting better mpg's than the EPA figures from what I have read. At least now we have more choices than a few years ago.
The Bolt might very quietly prove to be the best EV value on the market. They should be marketing to Tesla Model 3 waitlisters. One of my podcasts is consistently intrigued with the Bolt and proclaims that they might be going after the Über/rideshare/day rental market with this.
I agree but their argument is chasing volume and ultimately autonomous driving with the Bolt and its successors. Intriguing if speculative, the Bolt strikes me as the most bold move in EVs on the market, regardless.
We replaced our Nissan Leaf with a Bolt EV. We have had our Bolt EV for about a week and a half. We love it, and so far have charged it twice. I have it set to "hilltop reserve" so it charges to about 85% - this is so the regenerative braking always works the same, and it is very gentle on the battery. About regen in D - lemme put it this way: my spouse noticed it has more regen in D than our Leaf did. She would definitely prefer it to coast, like our e-Golf does. And she is not an ecodriver. Driving in L is right out. We fit very comfortably. Seating is upright and the legroom and headroom is outstanding. Entry and exit is the best. Visibility outward is very good. Handling is good. The only slight caveat is the ride is smooth and comfortable - but over some bumps, there is an odd jounce. The average of all three drivers (and a couple of friends trying it out) is about 4.9 miles / kWh, or well over 300 miles per charge. Having an EV with this much range is a revelation.
