Chevrolet Bolt EV Concept: First Look
Looks like: Chevy Spark EV meets Nissan Leaf
Defining characteristics: Compact all-electric car with a range of 200 miles and a price around $30,000
Ridiculous features: The automatic park-and-retrieval system; the driver can exit the vehicle and tell the Bolt to park itself, and when needed, the concept can be summoned to return to the owner’s location.
Chance of being mass-produced: It’s likely GM will offer a compact all-electric production car in the near future. “The Bolt EV concept demonstrates General Motors’ commitment to electrification and the capabilities of our advanced EV technology,” the automaker said in a statement.
The new Volt isn’t the only electric news coming off the Chevrolet stage at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this year; GM also unveiled a new concept that looks like it’s aimed straight at the Nissan Leaf. Chevrolet says the Bolt EV concept embodies the brand’s vision for an affordable, long-range electric vehicle; it’s designed to go more than 200 miles on a charge and starts around $30,000.
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The tall hatchback’s styling screams electric car with its aerodynamic-optimized wedge shape and vented rear fenders; it also uses materials like aluminum, magnesium, carbon fiber and woven mesh to reduce weight and maximize range. Other exterior highlights include a full-length frosted glass roof, wraparound rear window and jewel-like high-intensity LED head- and taillights.
Inside the theme is minimalist, again with an emphasis on lightweight materials. Slim seats are mounted on aluminum pedestals that appear to float, complementing the small center console that appears suspended between the front seats.
A large, 10-inch capacitive touch-screen is front and center on the dash; it works with the Bolt EV Connect app and projects apps and data from a smartphone onto the screen. The app also can allow the smartphone to act as the key fob and allow ride-sharing management, including reservations, vehicle location, digital key and even payment processing via the smartphone. It also features automatic park-and-retrieval technology — the driver can exit the vehicle and tell the Bolt to park itself, and when needed, the concept can be summoned to return to the owner’s location.
GM did not release details about the drivetrain, only saying that the concept is designed to offer long-range performance in all 50 states and many global markets, and that it will support DC fast charging. An engineer told Cars.com that the car uses a “skateboard” type of battery platform to which many types of vehicles could be attached.
Production plans were not released, but GM is hinting that the Bolt will eventually see dealer showrooms: “Chevrolet believes electrification is a pillar of future transportation and needs to be affordable for a wider segment of customers,” GM CEO Mary Barra said in a statement.
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