OFFICIAL: The Chevrolet Bolt Will Do Over 235 Miles On A Single Charge, Besting Tesla's Model 3 — Does It Even Matter?

I think it remains little question as to what 2016s biggest automotive story of the year will be. It has to be the Tesla Model 3. 

No ands, ifs or buts. 

Elon Musk's dog and pony show displayed a working concept of a vehicle that garnered enough interest for about 400,000 people to put down $1,000 of their hard-earned money. I don't think I've heard of such madness for an automobile since the original Ford Mustang that buyers couldn't get enough of. 

While Musk is still ironing out his SpaceX implosion we're anticipating the characteristic delay of the Model 3. We could be wrong but the ongoing theme with Tesla is that the company cannot stick to a deadline. 

General Motors' Chevrolet division, on the other hand, is doing some public relations work around its Model 3 competitor, the Bolt. In a new release today, Chevrolet makes it clear that the all-new Chevrolet electric vehicle will be capable of 238 miles on a single charge. 

This bests the Model 3's claimed 215 miles per charge. But considering the vehicle doesn't actually exist in production trim take that with a grain of salt. In addition, we are left wondering: Does it even matter it has slightly better range?

Tesla has unprecedented momentum, its buyers are committed and the extra 23 miles per charge is not a significant enough margin to sway buyers — at least that's what I think. Having said that, we're curious: 

Does it even matter if the Bolt can do 238 miles per charge? What say you, Spies?


Chevrolet's press release follows:

BOLT EV OFFERS 238 MILES OF RANGE 

DETROIT – Chevrolet promised to offer the first affordable electric vehicle with 200 miles or more of range and will exceed those expectations when the 2017 Bolt EV goes on sale later this year. With the vehicle’s EPA-estimated range of 238 miles, owners can expect to go beyond their average daily driving needs — with plenty of range to spare — in the 2017 Bolt EV when charging regularly.

“Chevrolet showed the world the production version Bolt EV earlier this year and in a few short months we’ve moved from that vision to a reality,” said GM North America President Alan Batey. “The Bolt EV is a game changer for the electric car segment and it will start to become available at Chevrolet dealerships later this year.”

Bolt EV buyers won’t be able to find a better value for an all-electric, thrill-inducing ride with an expected MSRP below $37,500 and before available federal tax credit of up to $7,500*. Plenty of range, cargo space, technology and safety features make the Bolt EV a great package for any driver.    

“While range is important, we knew Bolt EV owners would want more — more space and more power — and the Bolt EV delivers,” said Bolt EV Chief Engineer Josh Tavel. “Our team took special pride in optimizing every aspect of this vehicle, especially its impressive range and ride dynamics.”

When the Bolt EV arrives at select Chevrolet dealerships in late 2016, Chevrolet will offer a flavor of electrification to meet any customer’s needs. Whether it’s the pure electric Bolt EV, the Chevrolet Volt or the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, Chevrolet dealerships are full of affordable options for an efficient and engaging driving experience. More information on the Chevrolet electric family and the benefits of driving electric can be found at ChevyEVlife.com.

*Final Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price not yet announced and does not include, tax, title, license or optional equipment. Actual savings from the federal government depend on individual tax situations.

Dexter1 - 9/14/2016 12:32:27 AM

+1 Boost

Bolt is a goofy-looking electric appliance that looks like something Honda would have come out with 10 years ago. Model 3 is a good-looking electric car that benefits from the premium image the Tesla brand has established. What's to compare?

dumpsty - 9/14/2016 7:45:04 AM

+3 Boost

So is the Prius/i3/Leaf/etc...they're all a bit goofy. Model 3 is OK - if you prefer that "minimalist" type of exterior design. I like Tesla cars but the Model S/X/3 all seem to be missing "a little something" - maybe it's the omission of a front fascia grill or other aero-bits at the front. The B-class & the Bolt are the mature-looking designs that will probably be the mainstream in the future.

jameswisrik - 9/15/2016 7:45:29 AM

+2 Boost

Neither POS!

runninglogan1 - 9/14/2016 3:45:29 AM

+2 Boost

Judging from early reviews, actual range should be closer to 250 miles if not more.

800over - 9/14/2016 3:15:17 PM

+2 Boost

I'm far from a GM fan...but this is impressive. I hope it pushes other manufacturers to jump in.

TomM - 9/14/2016 7:49:13 AM

+6 Boost

In reality - the Bolt will be actually on the market probably a year before the model 3 - and it is likely that Tesla would bring out the more expensive versions of the 3 first - and make very few low price models.

For at least a year - maybe more - there will be NOTHING to compare - the Model 3 will not yet exist. And we still really have no knowledge of that actual price of the 3 - either. Remember - Tesla has already said that it will be going back to the stockmarket for more money (Ie - issue more stock and dilute the current stock) - so that the Model 3 will have to be priced to make a profit- they cannot go back for money forever. ANd I believe that model 3 will end up being more expensive than originally stated.

Note - GM is already a profitable company - and can absorb some losses on startup that Tesla no longer has the "cash" to do. That - plus the fact that the Bolt will be available at far more locations than the 3 - have service available at far more locations than the 3 - and the knowledge that GM will COMPETE for sales - does not bode well for the 3 if it is delayed much longer.

Vette71 - 9/14/2016 9:36:35 AM

+3 Boost

Great quote from today's WSJ article on the Bolt; "80% of success is just showing up". Advantage Bolt as they will be out there in volume and at an attractive price for a year or more before Tesla. It won't be just GM that is out there. There will be other competitors from established companies that are not cash constrained on the market by the time the Model 3 gets to real volume at the targeted price. It will interesting.

Further advantage Chevy is that the the new Volt will be next to it in the showroom.Range issues with an EV? Go HPEV with the Volt. A buddy has one and loves it. Fifty plus miles of his commute on electric before the gas generator seamlessly kicks on. Overall economy is in the high 50mpg range plus a 25 cent electric recharge, if he isn't at a free charger. Lux version is pretty nice inside. Cost after rebates/credits $30K.

vdiv - 9/14/2016 9:47:08 AM

+1 Boost

Well, look at the history of GM and EVs and it paints a very different picture. The Model 3 is the core of what Tesla Motors are trying to do. The Bolt EV/Ampera-E is a distraction and a nuisance for GM (just like the Volt/Ampera/ELR were) their reason to make it is not because they believe in vehicle electrification. It is because they have to sell a certain number of zero emission vehicles in CARB states and in Europe and they really want to shut Tesla down as they see it as a threat. This is why they outsourced all of the key components to LG and are making just one BEV model. This is why GM are not investing in a charging infrastructure the way Tesla, Nissan, BMW and even VW have. This is why no crossover, SUV nor truck has a plugin drivetrain, they do not believe in this even though VIA motors has GM trucks and vans converted to PHEVs. At this point BMW is more committed to electrification and have many more plugin models than GM.

Hey, as a fan of EVs I really want the Bolt EV to be a smashing success, but with GM as the parent, it stands no chance, just like the brilliant Volt.

Agent00R - 9/14/2016 10:26:51 AM

0 Boost

Great insights from everyone but I think vdiv is on the $$$

Just me though...

nguyenvuminh - 9/14/2016 10:03:09 AM

+2 Boost

Any improvement on real world driving range is welcomed.

HenryN - 9/14/2016 10:31:03 AM

+2 Boost

Taking into account the Cd of 0.31 for the Bolt versus 0.21 for the Model 3, the current range advantage for the Bolt (~240 vs 215 minimum for the 3) will quickly disappear in real world driving.

My Focus EV can barely make a 60-mile round trip on freeway at 65MPH+ speed out of 82 mile range battery (no AC). The Focus has 0.29 Cd with probably smaller frontal area than the Bolt. The Model 3 has better Cd and smaller frontal area than the Model S which is already the best in all EVs.

While the Model 3 is not yet available for road test, it's safe to say that the base model will beat that given the Model 3 will use new and better battery technology from Gigafactory (higher energy density, lower cost).

SSP350 - 9/14/2016 10:11:12 AM

+4 Boost

It does matter that it's slightly better, IMO. The ever lingering problem with EV's is that people still have range anxiety. No matter how slightly better the range is, I think it could be a game changer. 2 cents.

vdiv - 9/14/2016 12:00:39 PM

+1 Boost

Charging anxiety. The range anxiety phrase was manufactured by GM to dissuade people from driving electric. People don't have range anxiety in a gas car because they can refuel it pretty much everywhere. Once you can recharge your EV everywhere reliably anxiety goes away.

Vette71 - 9/14/2016 3:31:21 PM

+2 Boost

@vdiv you are missing something, TIME. ICE fuel is available everywhere and it takes only a few minutes to complete the task, versus waiting around for a slomo electric charge, sometimes not even a full one and if a charging spot is available. People who are movers and shakers value time and EVs don't fit their needs. HPEVs work for them.

vdiv - 9/14/2016 5:13:16 PM

0 Boost

Ok, charging impatience then? :)

Contrary to common misconception few people sit around and wait for their EV to charge. Most charging is done overnight while sleeping, and charging on the road is done while other functions are performed, food, coffee, bathroom, walk the dogs, change the diapers, curse those bastids on AutoSpies... all valuable and rewarding activities ;) Road trips rarely exceed 500 miles in a day, which for a 200+ mile EV means three, maybe four shorter stops after 2-3 hours behind the wheel. It is time for a safety stop after that anyway.

Vette71 - 9/14/2016 6:08:25 PM

+2 Boost

Some people do all those things at a stop, but lots don't. Never forgot riding shotgun with our top salesperson during his sales calls. Lunch was order at a drive thru and then he whipped out linen napkins from under the seat to protect our suits as we ate while driving to the next customer. Time is money baby. I like to drive long distances and fuel up/pee/get some DD java and bagels in 20 minutes. Spend the $ on a comfortable quiet vehicle and you don't get tired on long trips.

TomM - 9/14/2016 8:54:55 PM

+3 Boost

VDIV - indeed - for most people who actually own EVs - the charging is done in home garage overnight.

However - in many URBAN areas - this is simply NOT a possibility - lots of people in NY don't have garages - even in their own houses - much less rentals. They certainly cannot put these things at the street and expect a good result. However - you are wrong about charging on the road - today - the amount of time we spend eating lunch- often less than 1/2 hour - would not charge the batteries enough. And people are not looking to change the way they USE a car to conform with the needs of their car - they want the car to be available when they need it.I regularly do road trips over 500 miles in a day - but even if I could break that down to a couple smaller "legs" - there would not be enough time for me to charge an EV currently to cover 500 miles in that way - and that assumes that I have charging equipment available to me where I will be - which is unlikely. Explain to me HOW your four shorter stops would work - go 180 miles (3-4 hours) - then 8 hours minimum to recharge - cannot be done more than twice in a day.

vdiv - 9/15/2016 8:20:44 AM

0 Boost

DC fast charging gives you 60 miles of range for 30 mins of charge, a Tesla supercharger will give you 160 -- that is about the cadence of superchargers deployed along the interstates. Most people drive less than 40 miles a day. Yes, charging in the city is challenging, but so is parking and having a car to begin with, still people do it. Manhattan is covered in charging stations, almost every garage now has them. There are projects to install charging at parking meters and lamp posts that are already wired or at least have a conduit. All new garages are required to have the conduits built in for charging. As I mentioned some EV makers understand the importance of charging and have invested in it, others like GM haven't, that by itself is an indicator of how serious GM is about plugins where a relatively small investment goes a long way.

Vette71 - 9/15/2016 9:16:04 AM

+1 Boost

@vdiv

1.Where do you live that has a requirement that all newly built garages have a conduit/capability for a charger built in? Its not in the code in my "blue" state and probably not in the codes for 95% of the USA.
2. @TomM said it well. All of your and other's arguments for an EV require the customer to adapt to the car in a way that negatively effects them. That is not a formula for success.
3. There will always be a consumer segment where an EV works, like the commuter car for someone with a home garage. BUT without that garage or if the car has to do anything other than commute like being used for vacation trips or visits to grandma, the EV restraints become a huge negative. Most people are not willing to give up the convenience that they are accustomed to. Indeed our society values things that make life more convenient or expand our horizons like smart phones and all their apps.

HenryN - 9/15/2016 10:06:13 AM

0 Boost

Food for thoughts: http://www.thwink.org/sustain/glossary/ParadigmChange.htm

Tesla has shown us the EV technology works. Now GM and soon other automakers will join in and convince the ICE captive audience that there is an alternative. We are at the "adopting" stage, which will take time to build enough momentum to topple the ICE dominance. That will take another 10 years or so (many automakers have 2025 as the timeline for full adoption), but the momentum is building. "Adapting" stage will take another generation or 2, but it is inevitable because the more people are exposed to EV, the more likely they will adopt it.

Accepting EV is a big change. Wanting to do it is up to you but think about the collective future of human race as a good start. From this perspective, citing convenience as a deciding factor seems petty.

vdiv - 9/15/2016 12:02:43 PM

0 Boost

As I said NYC requires it: http://www.plugincars.com/new-york-requires-lots-and-garages-be-built-ev-ready-129063.html

California requires it: http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1095076_ca-to-require-new-buildings-to-be-wired-for-electric-car-charging-stations

The customer adapts to EVs rather well once they realize the benefits. It's still a car, still has four wheels, a steering wheel, doors, seats, you know. The difference is it doesn't smell, it is quiet, it is very torquey, it is very smooth, it is very immediate and direct, no BS slushbox or slipping clutch, no hot and rusty exhaust system, it is fun to drive, it is more efficient, it is cheaper to operate and maintain, etc, etc. Most people are weary of change until they realize it is for the better. EVs are simply better and the Bolt EV is one step closer to convincing people of that.

nguyenvuminh - 9/14/2016 3:41:52 PM

+2 Boost

From vdiv "Hey, as a fan of EVs I really want the Bolt EV to be a smashing success, but with GM as the parent, it stands no chance, just like the brilliant Volt." Sadly, I agree with vdiv comment. I just don't see GM's excitement/buy-in-/enthusiasm/mktg-push.