Ford Readying Chevrolet Bolt Rival For Los Angeles Reveal

by Cameron Aubernon

Published: March 5th, 2015

ford readying chevrolet bolt rival for los angeles reveal

Not one to be left in the dust, Ford is preparing a rival low-cost EV to go after the Chevrolet Bolt for a Los Angeles reveal this year.

AutoGuide reports the plug-in EV would be a stand-alone model instead of a repurposed product like a Fiesta or Focus. Ford hopes to beat Chevrolet to the punch with a production version before the Bolt hits showrooms in 2017, though both vehicles would likely reach customers before Tesla’s low-cost Model 3 sees the light of day.

Though little else has been found on this project, a concept version of Ford’s Bolt is expected to bow at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

#Bolt #Chevrolet #EVs #Ford #LosAngeles2015 #Low-costElectricVehicles

Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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10 of 11 comments

Redav on Mar 05, 2015

An all-electric B-Max? That would seem the easiest product to complete and release to be competitive.

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- Bball40dtw on Mar 05, 2015
  
  Well....I like the idea of that. With the sliding doors and no B-pillar.
  
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- Dwford on Mar 05, 2015
  
  Considering the Bolt already looks nearly identical to a B-Max, hopefully Ford will come with some unique styling..
  
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05lgt on Mar 05, 2015

My phone is being slow, but what sells either of these vs the established Leaf? Are they nicer inside new? I'd google, but...

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- Bball40dtw on Mar 05, 2015
  
  There's no specs on the Ford BEV, so who knows. The Focus BEV has a dedicated thermal management system for the battery and the Leaf does not. That's a plus for some.
  
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- Brian P on Mar 05, 2015
  
  If Bolt does what GM said it would ... Range.
  
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- Nicholas Weaver on Mar 05, 2015
  
  @bball40dtw For me, for one. I want a 200 mile BEV (or a 40+ mile PHEV). I could get away with on my commute with a 100 mile BEV, but as tempting as a used Leaf is, the lack of thermal management on the battery pack is a disaster. Both the Volt and Tesla have shown that with active thermal management, the LiIon batteries last a long time. The Leaf has shown that lack of active thermal management really hurts: those things die.
  
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- Mcs on Mar 05, 2015
  
  @Nicholas Weaver They've changed the battery chemistry on newer Leafs, so there isn't as much of an issue. While I haven't tested my car in the heat, in the cold I seem to be getting much better range at below freezing temps than older Leafs. My Leaf is also equipped with a battery warmer, so there is some active thermal management. From page EV-5 of the 2015 Leaf manual" "The Li-ion battery warmer automatically turns on when the Li-ion battery temperature is approximately -1°F (-17°C) or colder."
  
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Stephen on Mar 05, 2015

Brand new vehicle w/new technology engine and drivetrain being rushed into production-what could go wrong?

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Shaker on Mar 07, 2015

The Focus EV is a poor seller because it is a retrofit; thus, no cargo space. I think a "ground-up" BEV from Ford would do better sales-wise. Good to see that GM is upping the ante with the "Bolt" (Please, GM, find another name, FAST).

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