Review of the 2017 Chevy Bolt after 30 days real-world usage

Hello all, Whether you are ready for an EV yourself, or just wanting to put some extra pressure on the oil and gas industry to keep gas prices down, everyone should be an EV fan. Remember when gas prices hit $4-$5 dollars a gallon? Do any of you remember the gas lines of the late 70’s?

Here is a review of the 2017 Chevy Bolt Electric Vehicle (EV) after 30 days of real-world usage.
For those that are impatient, I’ll cut to the Summary first. I love it! I still smile every time I drive this car. It is just plain FUN to drive.

View Video WalkAround of the 2017 Chevy Bolt here:

Maybe I’ve been drive my sluggish 4 cylinder gas saver car for too many years, but even at 50 years old, I just love being able to leave other cars at the stoplight, or easily merge and pass in traffic quickly and safely. I was disappointed that the speed is capped at 93mph with a limiter. The car has plenty of go left at that speed, and I’m sure could easily hit 120-130 if Chevy did not limit.

These are not widely available in our area yet, I was able to pre-order one and get early, nearly two months before most in my area (Denver). I’ve been simply amazed at the mileage. No anxiety here at all for normal daily commutes and errands, even trips to Colorado Springs and back. I haven’t made trips into the mountains yet, but I’ve heard stories of others driving an hour through town, going up to Lookout mountain, coming back down and being fully charged again when they come back down due to the very impressive regenerative braking this vehicle has. There is very nice detailed analytics of your driving economy and techniques.
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Gas savings facts vs. myths
I see many folks and of course oil and gas companies trying to put out mis-information of “calculated” savings that are far lower than what most EV owners experience in real-life. Most will post their estimates based on direct cost per mile usage of gasoline vs. kw per mile for EV. That is a basis if just driving straight on forever, but the reality is in normal day to day use most EV’s (including this one) will actually save close to another 30-40% of electric cost due to the regenerative braking on hills, stoplights, stop and go traffic. On my 30 mile drive to work, I actually end up with more range left when I get to work than I had when I started! I’ve seen actual savings of $200-$250 per month = upwards $2,400 per year.

Then there is also the pleasure of not having to stop or wait in line at the gas station, or pay for oil changes, high cost tune ups, etc. I love just being able to push the button and go!

I definitely recommend spending the extra $$ on the premier version. The leather seats vs. the stock leather seats are worth it themselves. Then the other bells and whistles are gravy.
Be sure that you get the DC fast charging option so that you at least have the plug available for future roadtrips. I really can’t believe that Chevy considered this an option.

One of the new and very practical features was the digital rear view mirror. Not only does the bolt have the backup camera with targeting lines that shows up in the central display, but with a flip of the switch at the bottom of the rear view mirror, it changes view from a normal rear view mirror to one that is digitally displayed by the camera, eliminating headrest and other cargo blockages from the view. This was very practical when I was hauling a large box that filled up the entire cargo space, leaving no visibility at all. I flipped the switch and voila, I had an excellent unobstructed 3 lane view of the road behind me.

Performance specs:
2017 Chevy Bolt
200 Horsepower
0-60 = 6.5 seconds
¼ mile = 14.4 seconds
Top Speed = 93mph (restricted)

Distance
EPA rating = 238 miles per full charge
MPGe rating = 128 city – 111 highway
Actual road tests = 271 miles![IMG_20170701_072607.jpg]
Base price ~$38,700 (~$7,500 federal tax credit still available) some states like Colorado have additional $5,000 available

Compared to:
Tesla Model S 60
0-60 = 5.5 seconds
¼ mile = 13.6 seconds
Top Speed = 130mph

Distance
EPA eRating = 200 miles per full charge
Actual road tests = 238 miles
Base price ~$67,200

I didn’t compare other models such as the Leaf, Focus, BMW, or other because as far as I am concerned 200 miles is the minimum I would even consider an EV or even a Hybrid worth a look.

Charging times:
• When using a 120-volt electrical outlet = 4 EV miles per hour with the 12-amp setting (approximately 50 hours total to charge the vehicle). **Not very practical unless you only drive a few miles in town.
• When using a 240-volt, 16amp charging station, = 12 EV miles per hour (approximately 19 hours total), ** Still not very practical for real driving, be sure you purchase a higher amperage 240-volt system.
• When using a 240-volt, 32amp charging station = 25 EV miles per hour (approximately 9½ hours total to charge the vehicle). This is the one most users will want, will cost $400-$700, plus installation fees.
• When Using a public DC Fast Charging station with the available Fast Charge port (such as the many “ChargePoint” stations now popping up everywhere, rates = 90 EV miles in 30 minutes at an 80kW power level from a depleted battery. (The DC Fast charging port is not included in base models, it is ~$700 add-on from the factory. Be sure to get this if you plan to take road trips in the future.)
• The Bolt is not compatible with the current Tesla SuperCharging stations.

Chevy does provide a Chevrolet Roadside Assistance program for 5 years/60,000 miles, whichever occurs first, at no expense to you.
Chevrolet’s Roadside Assistance is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to contact a service provider for light services (jump-starts, flat tire and lock-outs) or to arrange towing for your vehicle to
the nearest Bolt EV Authorized Chevrolet dealer.

Notable Pros:
• Huge 10.2 inch center monitor – looks like a notebook screen in your dash!
• Backup cam with aiming lines
• Seat travel back and forth, up and down
• Super regen braking in Low vs. normal D driving
• Rear Camera wiper – When you run the rear Windshield Wiper, it also squirts water to clean the rear-view camera
• Rear View camera and 360 degree camera view
• Two USB power in the front console + two USB power plugs in the back
• 4G wireless network Access Point that supports multiple users (requires subscription)
• Remote app to lock/unlock doors, remote start, check tire pressure, review diagnostics, etc.
• Supports Android Auto and Apple connect.
• Wireless phone charger slot built into console (phone must support wireless charging).
• Overall just FUN to drive!

Cons:
Few things are perfect, like anything else there are a few things I do not like about the Bolt.
As previously stated though it has still exceeded my expectations and I still smile every time I drive it.
• Extra cost for DC Fast Charge connection port ($750 MSRP option)
• Extra cost to purchase and install home 240v charger ($400-$700 option, plus install fees).
• No garage door buttons, need to carry garage door opener in car.
• Pedestrian Friendly Alert Function – This makes noise thru a speaker under the hood to simulate running engine noise when moving under 15mph. The concept is that this will prevent pedestrians from being accidentally run over. Controlled by Fuse 34 under hood for those that may need to repair or desire to disable this Pedestrian Friendly Alert “feature” (not recommended for safety reasons, of course).
• Some users have experienced issues with the center screen going blank, or blacking out on the Chevy Bolt, just like it did on the previous Volt version. Pressing the "Home" and "Fast Forward" buttons for 10 seconds will reset the infotainment system and generally restore full function.
• Road noise – Seems excessive for a car in this price range. A little soundproofing would make the car feel much more like a luxury car.
• Speed limited at 93mph, Would be nice to enable ability to exceed this at least for short duration if needed for safe passing of other vehicles on two lane roads.
• Front wheel drive only, not All wheel drive (Chevy says maybe future version will be AWD).

Pic of 2017 Chevy Bolt

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