Chevrolet Rolls Out The Bolt EV

By Michael Sol Warren
BU News Service

The Chevrolet Bolt EV is no longer a concept car.

Mary Barra, the chairman and CEO of General Motors, showed off the production model of Chevrolet’s newest electric car. The Bolt EV has a range of 200 miles, can be partially charged in 60 minutes and fully charges overnight. In designing the Bolt EV, Chevrolet integrated the batteries into the chassis entirely below the passenger cabin. This design choice allows for maximum space in the car’s interior.

According to Barra, the Bolt EV is designed to make the most of in-car software.

“The Bolt EV is more than a car,” Barra said. “It’s a platform.”

Barra highlighted the car’s navigation system, which includes a Bolt EV specific option that maximizes the car’s battery range. The vehicle also features a model specific low-energy Bluetooth system in order to conserve battery power.

Barra also announced the My Chevrolet mobile application, a tool that lets the user check on the status of their car from anywhere at anytime.

The Bolt EV will cost about $30,000 after all of the government incentives are factored in. Production of the car begins this year.

Barra also said that Chevrolet and General Motors will continue to develop electric and autonomous car technology. Her comments reflected an industry trend apparent at CES. Toyota and Volkswagen also made announcements this week that they are committed to developing electric and autonomous cars.

“I have no doubt that the auto industry will change more in the next 5 to 10 years than it has in the last 50,” Barra said.