Chevrolet Bolt to Cease Production
Earlier this year, General Motors announced that it would cease production of the Chevrolet Bolt, one of the nation’s best-selling electric cars, and also one of the most affordable EVs on the market. Produced in the U.S., with U.S.-sourced battery components, the Bolt is eligible for the full $7,500 federal tax incentive. That, plus its low starting MSRP, excellent range, and overall capability, has made the Bolt EV one of our favorite electric cars. Now, we’re getting news that the last orders for the Bolt EV and the slightly larger Bolt EUV will be taken in August. That means if you want one, you’ll have to act fast.
General Motors blog GM Authority is the source of the unconfirmed report that says Bolt production will end in November, with the final order cycle for those vehicles ending on August 17. The company had previously announced that Bolt production would end sometime in late 2023, but had provided no firm date.
Third Best-Selling Electric Car
After a rocky couple of years thanks to a well-documented recall – which saw many vehicles’ batteries replaced as they could potentially catch fire – the Bolt has been a big sales success for GM. Indeed, in the first five months of the year, it was the third best-selling electric car in the U.S., with 16,036 vehicles sold – beaten only by the Tesla Model Y and Tesla Model S.
We’ve previously named the Bolt our best-value electric car. Designed from the ground up as an EV, it has a compact exterior, but a remarkably spacious interior. It is fun to drive, and has an excellent set of features for its very affordable $26,595 starting MSRP. And because it’s made in the U.S., in Orion Township, Michigan, federal and regional incentives for qualified buyers could bring the actual price to under $20,000 – making it the most affordable new electric car in the U.S., but also a third of the price of the “average” EV in America.
Chevrolet Bolt EV: Features
Despite its affordable price, the Bolt gives you a lot of capability and features. Its 65-kWh battery and efficient drivetrain provide it with an EPA-estimated 259 mile range on a full charge, much more than other compact models like the Nissan Leaf and Mini Cooper S Electric. Indeed, the Bolt has more range than some much more expensive high-performance EVs.
While the Bolt’s DC fast charging capability is only 55 kW – many EVs can now charge at over 100 kW, some up to 350 kW – that still means it can add up to 100 miles of range in a half hour of charging. More importantly, thanks to its compact size and relatively light weight, the Bolt’s 200-hp electric motor moves it along with a lot of zip.
The Bolt also has steering wheel paddles to operate a “regen on demand” feature which helps charge the battery, and there is the option of one-pedal driving, like Tesla owners are used to. There’s a digital dashboard display as well as an easy-to-use 10.2-inch infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Safety features include automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane keeping assist with lane departure warning, following distance indicator, forward collision alert, and automatic high beam assist.
Chevrolet Bolt: Interior
Thanks to its EV architecture, the Bolt packs a remarkable amount of space into its compact exterior. The EV battery is used as a “skateboard” underneath the cabin, liberating room for a spacious cabin on a tiny footprint. Driver and passengers sit upright like in a crossover, with great visibility, impressive rear-seat room, and even a spacious cargo area – 57 cubic feet of space are available with the rear seats folded.
If you need more space than the Bolt offers, consider ordering the Bolt EUV (electric utility vehicle). While it doesn’t have all-wheel drive, the Bolt EUV does offer a raised ride height and some exterior body cladding, along with an extended wheelbase. With the same drivetrain, the EPA estimated range drops a bit, to 247 miles, but the Bolt EUV is a bit more versatile for family duties. The starting MSRP for the Bolt EUV is a still-reasonable $28,195, or $32,695 for the upscale Premier model.
We’d still pick the most basic Bolt version if we could. It’s an amazing value for an all-round urban EV and it has enough range to tackle the occasional long trip into the country. If you find the Bolt as appealing as we do, you’ll have to act fast to secure yours.
