Chevrolet Increases Bolt EV Production By 20% To Meet Demand

Kudos to Chevy for their success story.

With respect to EVs, while Tesla basks in the majority of North American PR, the Nissan Leaf is a leader in terms of worldwide EV unit sales. That's worth noting.

As my handle indicates, I'm for ALL EVs not just Tesla - I have cars to prove that. The strong global demand for the Bolt is encouraging, but US sales show a different trend: 3 consecutive months of declining sales.

GM should hurry up with other EV offerings because it's apparent US consumers aren't buying the Bolt.

Actually - Us consumers ARE trying to buy the Bolt - availability is the issue. At least you can get base versions of the Bolt - and remember - the Bolt has more Interior room than the Model S.

When the infrastructure for EVs is in place all over the USA - and charging times are down to about 10 minutes - I will consider an EV. WE currently do not have enough Electric Generation capacity to replace even 20 % of current car usage in the USA (Even when charging at night) - and there are still LOTS of issues that have to be overcome. FOr instance - if you live in Brooklyn - and have alternate side parking on the street - and NO garage - there is almost no place to charge your car. YOU cannot guarantee it will be parked in front of your house. Add the same problem with lots of old Walk-up apartment building without parking there. Rural areas - with long drives - have few charging stations.

SO - MOST people have no convenient way to charge an EV. and that still is a problem. ANd getting extra generation approved takes YEARS - not days.

You're so much better than everyone else.

@TomM: your explanations are not valid:

1. Facts: US sales drop 3 months in a row. No announcement from GM about reduction in production. Interpretation: reduced demand, or worse, GM reducing production without telling. Limited availability doesn't explain the sales drop.

2. Charging infrastructure: electricity is accessible everywhere in the US. Slow charging time is a compromise one has to make. People are making a similar compromise for decades by waiting in line at the gas pumps instead of fueling at home at the times of their choosing.

3. Electricity Generation capacity: MIT Technology Review estimates that at national level, the grid can support 150 million EVs. Other researchers put the numbers at 20 to 30%, again at current national level. The support is more complicated at municipal levels due to concentration of EV demand versus capability. This can be resolved, at local level, by adding renewable sources such as wind and solar, by battery storage (PGE is planning for more than 1GWh battery storage projects currently), time based electric rates to encourage consumers to spread out usage,...
At the present, EV accounts for about 1% total vehicles in the US. New EV sales make up less than 2% in 2017, its best year so far. It will take huge growth over several years to get to 20%, giving the utility industry plenty of time to prepare.

4. "MOST people have no convenient way to charge an EV" - WRONG! Over 60% US households own home. It's true MANY don't have easy access. MOST is beyond stretch.

So it all comes down to individual choice. EV has many advantages on its side. There are compromises but I think they are not deal breakers for a majority of US consumers.

See, @TomM, EVSanCarlos is better than all of us. I'd call him a saint, but his atheist orientation would take offense...heck he is probably taking offense even now at the compliment.

These are verifiable facts. No cynicism intended or implied.

Facts don't matter to these clowns. You could easily convince them the earth is flat.

Ever notice that when the Alt-Left is intolerant of any OPINION other than their own they immediately resort to ad hominem attacks?

Considering the current level of production a 20% increase is a pittance. Why doesn't GM put the Bolt EV and Volt drivetrains in a proper crossover body if they truly want to sell more units?