The Chevrolet Bolt EV has provided consumers with great value for money, but how many charging options does this all-electric hatchback offer owners?
Since debuting in 2016, the Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle has provided consumers with great value for money, but how many charging options does this all-electric hatchback offer owners? Electric cars operate with the power supplied by an in-built battery pack. Those batteries must be charged at home or a public charging station. While it's true that charging times for EVs vary, with Level One (120V) considered to be the slowest, Volvo announced plans to make charging more rewarding by providing select Starbucks locations with fast chargers in the U.S. This means that while drivers wait for their EVs to attain full-charge status, they can grab a coffee from any of the 15 Starbucks stores.
The Chevrolet Bolt EV is one of the oldest non-Tesla electric cars, with models released from 2017 through 2023. Upon arrival, it was expected to pose a serious threat to Tesla's lineup of EVs. Currently, the electric hatchback sits in a category with alternatives like Tesla's Model 3, BMW's i4, the Nissan Leaf and Mini Cooper Electric. However, despite being around for a while, the Chevrolet Bolt EV has suffered its share of bad publicity. Last year, Chevrolet, a subsidiary of General Motors, announced a major recall of the Bolt EV that not only included the 2022 model year but also involved the other model years. Recalls are never easy, but a recall of that magnitude will give intending buyers a chance to rethink their stance on getting a unit of the affected vehicle.
Related: 59,000 Teslas Recalled For Automatic Emergency Call System Glitch
One of the Bolt EV's selling points is its retail price which currently stands at $25,600, excluding additional charges like destination freight, tax, title, license, etc. Chevrolet also announced that the dealer could set the final price, signaling to prospective buyers that the MSRP may be higher depending on the dealer. Additionally, the Bolt EV offers a fantastic amount of range for that price point. The Bolt EV is a better option than an EV like the Mazda MX-30. At a starting price of $33,470, the Mazda offers a paltry 100 miles while the Bolt EV provides up to 259 miles, more than twice the amount. Like every electric model available today, the Bolt EV can be charged at home and on the go. However, some people may not know how EV charging works or that EV charging is considerably cheaper than buying gas. This is why GM recently confirmed that it would respond to customers' EV questions using an online tool.
For a fulfilling home charging experience, buyers of the Bolt EV get a Dual Level cord that supports 120V and 240V charging. When set to 240V, the charger can offer up to 25 miles of range per hour. It can also charge the EV from zero to 100 percent within 10 hours, meaning overnight charging will be anyone's best bet. The Dual Level Cord can also be used in public spaces, though a NEMA 14-50 outlet must be available. Such outlets are common in RV parks. For safe home charging, a professional will need to install this cord. Additionally, customers can enjoy the free installation of a standard home charging outlet courtesy of Chevrolet. To qualify, customers must purchase a Bolt EV or EUV (2022 and 2022 model years).
Although EV charging stations aren't as many as gas stations, Chevrolet promises Bolt EV owners access to over 40,000 public charging stations. Interestingly, the Bolt EV also supports DC fast charging, meaning that drivers can get up to 100 miles of range within 30 minutes. To locate compatible charging stations and determine which are currently available, drivers can utilize the myChevrolet mobile app. The smartphone app can also control select vehicle features.
Michael Akuchie is a Tech Writer at ScreenRant currently covering the latest trends in the Electric Vehicle industry that the readers deserve to know. On the side, he's also a freelance content writer with 2 years of experience and a journalist at Inc.Africa where startup founders can find all they need to start, run, and grow a business. His writings cover the Customer Experience, HR Tech, Digital Transformation, and Automobile industries. He's also an Anime enthusiast, with Naruto and AOT being his two all-time best Anime shows.