The Chevrolet Bolt EV is a stable electrical automobile. Whereas it does not exude the “wow” issue different EVs do, it has nice vary, first rate energy, and a dependable monitor report (minus the LG chem battery debacle). It was additionally extremely inexpensive for a brand new electrical automobile. The 2023 Bolt EV began at $27,495 and certified for the $7,500 point-of-sale incentive. This meant one might stroll away with a model new EV for $19,995 plus no matter vendor charges there have been. However immediately, used Bolt EVs are even cheaper.
Perusing on-line automobile buying web sites, one can discover quite a few used Chevrolet Bolts for across the $15,000 mark with between 45,000 and 70,000 miles. And these $15,000 Bolts are the up to date 2022 and 2023 fashions, providing a refreshed inside and exterior. These low costs are primarily due partly to Hertz offloading a bunch of its stock. Of the 609 refreshed Bolt EVs listed on Automobiles.com, solely about 100 are non-fleet fashions.
A Hertz automobile gross sales heart in Charlotte has a 2023 Bolt listed for $14,499 with 66,000 miles on the odometer. It is a base LT model (as are most ex-rentals), so it is a no-frills experience. With out the tax credit score, this Bolt EV depreciated round 47.3% in worth. Contemplating the mileage, the depreciation is not loopy, however it’s nonetheless a extremely inexpensive experience now.
Those that need to be within the higher echelon of the Chevrolet Bolt neighborhood ought to take into account choosing the 2LT mannequin. These are somewhat costlier, although not by an enormous margin. A Florida-based dealership is promoting a 2023 Bolt EV 2LT for $17,990 with simply 24,643 miles. This 2LT most likely value $32,000 when new, so it has misplaced round 45.1% of its preliminary worth.
One ought to observe that the 2023 Bolts don’t qualify for the $4,000 EV incentive. That is as a result of they’re too new. To qualify, an EV should be no less than two mannequin years outdated. Extra curiously, it looks as if tax credit-qualifying 2022s are priced across the similar even with the motivation.
The Chevrolet Bolt is an inexpensive and enticing EV possibility whatever the yr. However is it the only option on this value vary?
Chevrolet Bolt EV/Bolt EUV
Chevrolet Bolt: Tech Specs
The Chevrolet Bolt EV’s greatest (and most controversial) attribute is its powertrain. On the nice facet, the Bolt has a 66-kilowatt-hour battery pack that delivers a wholesome EPA-estimated vary of 259 miles. In our 70 mph vary check, contributing editor Tom Moloughney recorded a formidable 260 miles. That alone is an enormous deal. Primarily based on our earlier vary exams, that is extra real-world miles than the 2022 Rivian R1T with all-terrain tires, Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo, Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD, and BMW i4 M50. Not unhealthy.
That brings us to the unhealthy, which is the Bolt EV’s poor DC charging capabilities. There is not any different technique to put it: the Bolt’s quick charging speeds aren’t really quick. With a peak pace of fifty kW, the Bolt is without doubt one of the slowest-charging EVs available on the market—which is without doubt one of the causes Basic Motors phased it out to interchange it with a more moderen upcoming mannequin that has sooner charging.
Chevrolet Bolt Charging Station
In our testing in 2022, the Bolt EV took 73 minutes to go from 10 to 80% state of cost. However, the 2022 Mannequin 3 RWD takes round 35 minutes to cost inside the similar ranges.
Whereas the Bolt EV shouldn’t be excellent for well timed journeys, it excels in native driving. It’s extremely environment friendly round cities (securing above 4.0 miles per kilowatt-hour), and it packs an honest punch when it comes to energy. The front-mounted electrical motor makes 200 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. The setup is sweet for a zero-to-sixty run of 6.5 seconds, giving the Bolt loads of energy for a 3,625-pound compact hatchback. Because of the front-wheel-drive setup, the Bolt often struggles for traction when accelerating in inclement climate.
Which Trim Ought to You Get?
Chevrolet provided the Bolt EV in two trims: 1LT and 2LT. The 1LT variant was the entry-level mannequin and it did not have loads of options to supply. It comes with an 8-inch digital gauge cluster, a surprisingly responsive 10.2-inch heart show with wi-fi Apple CarPlay, LED head and tail lights, distant begin, darkish grey material seats, and a six-speaker sound system that does not sound horrible. Normal security options included computerized emergency braking, entrance pedestrian braking, ahead collision alert, and lane preserve help (no centering performance.)
2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV inside
GM offered two packages for the 1LT model: the $495 Driver Confidence and the $995 Consolation and Comfort Pack. The Driver Confidence package deal featured rear parking help, rear cross-traffic alert, and a blind spot monitor. The opposite package deal got here with an eight-way energy driver’s seat, auto-dimming mirror, heated entrance seats, and a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel.
The $30,670 2LT mannequin featured all the pieces within the 1LT with each packages, plus perforated leather-based seats, single-color ambient lighting close to the sprint, painted wheel inserts, and an influence passenger seat. There is a $695 Infotainment Bundle that comes with a wi-fi cellphone charger, a Bose 7-speaker audio system, and rear heart console USB-A and C ports. Adaptive cruise management can also be further, although it prices simply $375.
The 2LT Bolt EV really got here well-equipped contemplating its value level. The highest trim Nissan Leaf SV Plus nonetheless has material seats and no premium audio—although Nissan’s EV does have extra complete automated driving help capabilities.
Any Areas Of Concern?
The Chevrolet Bolt is an general dependable electrical automobile. It is a tried and examined product that makes use of GM parts. Larger mileage examples have some points with management arms, however the electrical hatchback tends to be fairly reliable. The excellent news is that if one thing does go incorrect (exterior of the high-voltage system), it is only a Chevy, and the restore should not break the financial institution.
One other factor to contemplate is that loads of a budget ones are ex-rentals. It is truthful to imagine they have been put by their paces greater than others. When check driving one, one ought to guarantee there are not any irregular vibrations and creaks from the entrance axle space. Because of the excessive torque, there might be put on on varied parts like management arm bushings.
Hertz Chevrolet Bolt EV and Bolt EUV
However, for patrons going immediately by Hertz, its stock is pre-inspected. All vehicles have a 12-month or 12,000-mile powertrain guarantee.
The notorious battery recall affected the 2017 and 2022 fashions. To repair the difficulty, Chevrolet required sure autos to be outfitted with new software program; others wanted completely new battery packs. 2023 fashions are unaffected by the difficulty.
Ought to I Purchase One?
The Chevrolet Bolt is a formidable electrical automobile that punches above its value level. The 2LT is especially notable as some examples include Bose audio, leather-based seats, and adaptive cruise management. Pair this with a real-world vary of 260 miles, and the Bolt is sort of the worth proposition.
Nonetheless, it is not an ideal automobile. The Bolt EV suffers from poor DC charging capabilities, making it not the most suitable choice for lengthy highway journeys. Although with a spread of 259 miles, you may get fairly far with out charging. With this thought-about, the Bolt EV might need difficulties being somebody’s solely automobile, additionally contemplating its compact type issue.
2022 Chevy Bolt EV Assessment Exterior
With the $4,000 EV incentive, many used Mannequin 3s are falling inside the $15,000 to $16,000 value vary as effectively. Dynamically, the Mannequin 3 is a way more partaking driver’s automobile. It additionally has more room and much better charging capabilities. However regardless of the Mannequin 3’s many deserves, all of those have a lot larger miles, normally above 100,000. And it’s price noting that the Bolt isn’t any slouch within the enjoyable division both; it handles effectively for its dimension and its on the spot electrical torque means it’s surprisingly entertaining on the suitable highway.
Regardless, the second-hand EV market is the place the motion is occurring. And the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EVs going for $15,000 is only one signifier. It is one heck of a deal, and debunks the argument that electrical vehicles are for the one p.c of automobile patrons.
Andrew Lambrecht is a contributor at InsideEVs and an industrial engineering scholar at Clemson College. Along with InsideEVs, Andrew writes for Forbes Wheels and Enterprise Insider, overlaying the transportation sector.
