Chevy Bolt EV (USA)
If you wanted something that could take you over 200 miles on a
single charge, though, you'd have to pony up big bucks. That all changes with
the arrival of the new Chevy Bolt, prices for which have just been announced to
start at US$ 37,495.
That price includes destination, but doesn't take
into account a federal tax credit of up to US$ 7,500 that stands to reduce the
take-home price to US$ 29,995 (before further incentives in states like
California, Colorado, Delaware, Louisiana, Maine, Pennsylvania, and Utah).
It'll also come in two specs, with the higher Premier trim still yet to be
priced. Either way, you're looking at an all-electric hatchback capable of
driving 238 miles on a single charge.
Now US$ 37,495 may not strike you as “cheap,” and it is
a fair bit more than you'd have to spend on, say, a VW e-Golf, Fiat 500e, Kia
Soul EV, or Chevy's own Spark EV. But all of those are limited in range to
double digits. Even the recently upgraded Leaf will “only” go 107 miles on a
charge. If you wanted or needed something that could go for more than 200
miles, your only choice until now has been the Tesla Model S, which will travel
a good 210 miles even in base 60 spec, but that'll cost you at least US$ 66,000.
The new Bolt comes across as a
downright bargain. Tesla is preparing a contender of its own in the form of the
forthcoming Model 3, which is slated to offer a range of at least 215 miles and
start at US$ 35,000. But it'll be another year or more before production even
begins.
