With all the hype surrounding the Tesla Model 3, let’s not forget the Chevrolet Bolt is also on the horizon.
Expected to arrive at dealerships at the end of this year, the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt will be priced at $37,500 before destination, taxes and incentives. Although the EPA hasn’t certified the Bolt’s range, Chevrolet promises that it will deliver at least 200 miles. All of that has been mentioned before, but now Chevrolet has confirmed that the Bolt’s electric drivetrain with 200 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque will take the EV from zero-to-60 mph in under seven seconds. That means the Bolt will be slower than the entry-level Tesla Model 3, which Tesla CEO Elon Musk promises will go to 60 mph from a standstill in under six seconds.
SEE ALSO: 2017 Chevrolet Bolt Review – First Drive
Helping achieve its range is a 60-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that tips the scales at 960 pounds while serving as a stressed member of the car’s chassis, helping improve torsional rigidity by nearly 30 percent. GM has confirmed that the battery is designed to last for the life of the car and will back it with an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty. Like the new Chevrolet Volt, dealers will be able to service the battery if necessary.
Although the American automaker oversaw the engineering for the battery pack, it will be supplied and produced by LG Chem in Korea before shipping to the U.S. for final assembly. As for charge time, the Bolt’s battery can be fully replenished in nine hours with a 240-volt AC outlet, while up to 90 miles of range can be had with just 30 minutes of charge time on a DC quick charger.
The big question is whether Chevrolet will answer Tesla’s inclusion of Autopilot on the Model 3. Considering Tesla Model 3 deliveries are a ways off, Chevrolet has a bit of time to work on incorporating some semi-autonomous technology if it chooses to do so.
[Source: Car and Driver]
