Automotive Trends

While green car enthusiasts have been watching Telsa and its exotic electric cars, the world should take notice: today GM unveiled the Chevrolet Bolt EV. The Bolt EV is significant because it has the potential to be the first mass market EV with a 200 mile range. Mass market means a starting price that Chevrolet assures will be ‘around $30,000’ after federal tax credits. The Bolt was unveiled last year as a concept and just a year later we are seeing the production version which will be built at GM’s plant in Orion Township, MI. While a full charge will take up to 9 hours with a 240-volt charging unit, an hour of charge accomplishes 25 miles of range. This EV offers more than just electrified propulsion. Other technologies packaged into the Bolt EV are an integrated rear camera mirror that virtually eliminates blind spots and surround vision. The instrument panel is festooned with a 10.2″ tablet-like display that can reportedly be controlled by simple, intuitive gestures. Chevrolet promises to have its newest electric vehicle available to customers by late 2016.