Electric vehicles are the way of the future. Although not too long ago, the concept of an all-electric vehicle was something from the realm of science fiction, it has since become a prominent force of the industry. Among the manufacturers that have tried their hand in this concept is Chevrolet, and years later, it’s easier than ever to invest in a Chevy EV. Currently, there is only one EV model that Chevy produces, the Bolt EV. However, this hasn’t stopped the Bolt EV from becoming one of the most popular EV models, and Chevy has confirmed that it will be offering many more EV models in the near future.
The Bolt EV was originally released for the 2017 model year, and since then has flipped the script on what Chevy can accomplish with electric-powered automobiles. For the most part, the lineup hadn’t seen far too many notable changes until the 2020 model year, when the Bolt EV became even more efficient. The 2021 Bolt EV is a great choice to save money on gas, and models from years prior are still an excellent option for budget-conscious shoppers. There are two trims for the lineup, starting with the base LT variant. Purchasing this base model has never been a detriment to the experience as a whole because of a plethora of features that come standard. Should you want additional amenities such as various advanced safety features and leather seating, then the top-tier Premier trim is the perfect choice for you.
Stellar Efficiency
Of course, the main selling point of any electric vehicle is the lack of a gasoline-powered engine. This is also unlike hybrid vehicles on the market, which still use gasoline engines to supplement their electric motors and are something of a halfway point between traditional powertrains and the newer all-electric designs. The main advantages to ditching gasoline altogether are cost savings and convenience. Along with the money that you’ll save without having to buy gas, being able to recharge your vehicle at home will save you time as well.
In the case of the Bolt EV, it’s powered by an electric motor coupled with a lithium-ion battery pack. Bolt EV models before 2020 will make use of a 60-kWh battery, whereas newer models use a larger 66-kWh battery. For those unfamiliar with EV terminology, this effectively means that the newer Bolt EV models have a “larger fuel tank” and can go further on a single charge. However, the difference is not huge – 238 miles vs 259 miles according to the EPA ratings.
The battery size also does not affect driving performance, and every Bolt EV uses the same permanent magnet motor. If you weren’t expecting much performance from an eco-friendly EV, think again. The Bolt EV comes standard with 200 hp and 266 lb-ft of instant electric torque. That will give you near sports-car acceleration off the line and has no trouble handling highway speeds.
Safety Features
One of the greatest strengths of the Bolt EV has always been the available safety features. Advanced safety features combined with an all-electric powertrain is indicative of a future we can expect from the automotive industry. Much like other lineups from Chevy, the Bolt EV has received plenty of attention-to-detail, namely in its available safety features. Simply put, a vast array of available safety features helps to enhance the Bolt EV’s status as a relevant and future-proof vehicle.
Opting for the base model of a pre-owned Bolt EV may sometimes lack some of the more state-of-the-art safety features. However, Teen Driver technology does come standard, which is the perfect teaching tool for anybody who has a newly-licensed driver in the household. Teen Driver has essentially reinvigorated the way that teenagers learn how to drive by utilizing various limits that have been set in place by the parent. Among these limits, parents can set warnings at select speeds or limit the speedometer altogether, as well as set audio level limitations. Once the teenager has stopped driving, a detailed report is then produced and sent directly to the parent’s smartphone. These detailed reports can help parents identify and solve any problems that need to be corrected.
As mentioned, the Bolt EV Premier is differentiated from its base model counterpart in a few ways. Most notably, safety features that are relegated to available upgrades for the base model will come standard with Premier. These features include Side Blind Zone Alert along with Lane Change Alert. Side Blind Zone Alert is essentially a visual-aid that will display when your blindspot is obstructed. This feature coupled with Lane Change Alert makes highway travel immensely safer as it will alert you before your blindspot becomes obstructed as well.
Rear Park Assist is another feature that comes standard on Premier and is available as an upgrade to the base model. This feature works in tandem with your Bolt EV’s rear-vision camera and will display onto the vehicle’s infotainment center. When activated, your vehicle will alert you if your vehicle is in danger of collision with obstructing objects when reversing into a parking space. Lastly, Rear Cross Traffic Alert is available as well. Reversing out of a parking space is made both easier and safer thanks to this safety feature. This is because Rear Cross Traffic Alert will emit a warning signal to the driver if the vehicle detects an oncoming obstruction such as a bypassing vehicle.
Interior Features
The Chevy Bolt EV has always supported a maximum seating capacity of five passengers and still does to this day. Since its release, the lineup hasn’t gone through any major interior overhauls, meaning the interiors are the same size regardless of the model year. Although the Bolt EV isn’t by any means a giant vehicle, it still manages to seat each passenger in a comfortable and spacious environment. Opting for the Premier trim will enhance its interior further by adding amenities such as leather seats.
In the front row, you’ll have 39.7 inches of headroom along with 41.6 inches of legroom. Passengers in the rear-row will have 37.9 inches of headroom and 36.5 inches for their legs. Thanks to the SUV-style hatchback design, the Bolt EV also provides an ample 16.9 cu. ft. of space for any luggage you’ve brought along for the ride. If you don’t have any passengers, then simply fold down the rear seats to expand that to an impressive 56.6 cu. ft.
Those who acquire a base model Bolt EV will not be subjected to ancient connectivity features, regardless of the price differential. This is because every model comes equipped with a robust infotainment center that includes a 10.2-inch display. Features you will find within this infotainment center includes an on-board 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot for wireless internet connectivity to any wireless device and both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. These features help to massively increase the versatility of your infotainment center with a plethora of new features provided by your pre-existing smartphone.
One of the Best Pre-Owned Lineups Around
The Bolt EV is a rare case for pre-owned vehicle shoppers. With a highly similar performance level to its newer counterparts, along with a trove of features, Bolt EVs ultimately have more value than a new one. However, according to recent developments throughout the industry, this won’t be the case for long. Engineers at Chevy have been hard at work developing the next generation of EVs. Within the exciting announcements was confirmation of an all-new 2022 Bolt EV and a larger 2022 Bolt EUV. While the variety of Chevy EVs will grow in the future, it doesn’t change the fact that if you’re currently looking for a pre-owned electric vehicle, the Bolt EV is one of the best you can get.
