The Chevy Bolt EV is a compact all-electric vehicle with almost double the range of most of its rivals and has a surprising amount of space on the inside. The Bolt EV is an all-new vehicle for 2017, and it comes in two different trims. Here are five things to know about the Chevy Bolt EV.
Trim Levels
The Bolt EV comes in two different trim levels, starting with the LT. The LT has 17-inch alloy wheels and LED daytime running lights along with xenon headlights. Inside, you'll get cloth seats, automatic climate control, and keyless ignition and entry. A step up to the Premier trim will get you everything from the LT plus cargo roof rails, ambient interior lighting and leather seats.
Power
Both models have the same 200-horsepower electric motor and a very large 60-kWh battery that sits underneath the floor. A fully charged battery will get you about 238 miles. When you need to charge the battery, a standard 240-volt charge will take about 9.3 hours to bring it to a full charge. For the most part, it is unlikely that you'll run the battery down to empty, so in most cases, it won't take the full nine hours to charge up. Both models also have DC fast-charging capabilities. This allows you to use a Level 3 charging station and fill the battery to 80 percent in just over an hour.
Technology
You can expect to find some of the latest technology in the Bolt EV. Even the base model LT comes standard with a 10.2-inch touch screen along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also has Bluetooth for phone and audio, OnStar, and two USB ports. The Premier trim comes with the same technology and the option to add the Infotainment Package. This includes a seven-speaker Bose stereo system, wireless charging for smartphones, and two additional charge-only USB ports for the back seat.
Safety Systems
Both models come standard with a rearview camera, and the Premier comes with a top-down parking camera system along with a camera rearview mirror. The Driver Confidence I package is an option for the LT and adds a blind-spot monitoring system, and rear cross-traffic alert along with rear parking sensors. The Premier offers the option for the Driver Confidence II package with forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning with intervention. This package also adds automatic high beams.
Interior
The cabin of the Bolt has more space than you would expect a compact to have. The tall profile means there is a good amount of headroom both in the front and the back, and there are plenty of storage spaces and cubbies. In the back, you'll find 16.9 cubic feet of storage space with the seats up, and there is also an option to add a cargo area floor cover to increase the storage capacity.
The 2017 Chevy Bolt EV is a great option for those who want an alternative fuel vehicle without any range anxiety.
Image via Chevrolet.com
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